The Telos Channel

This time last year, Israel began signing diplomatic agreements (nicknamed the Abraham Accords) to officially normalize relations with a few Arab nations. While the agreements have been touted as “peace deals,” we discuss whether the region is actually closer to peace one year down the road.  We also reflect on how to respond as peacemakers to moments that feel overwhelming. How can we acknowledge...

Six Palestinians jailed in a high-security prison in Israel’s north escaped this week, sparking both celebration and fear in communities across the region. We discuss the event, the larger systems of justice and accountability behind it, and how to hold communal reactions in tension.  We also remember the 20th anniversary of 9/11 this weekend, reflecting on our collective grief, and the impact of...

The U.S. officially completed its pullout of Afghanistan this week, raising questions about America’s historic and future role on the global stage. We discuss responsibility, opportunity, and what we mean when we use terms like “peacemaking.”  We also take a moment to acknowledge the destruction caused by Hurricane Ida, especially in the low-country areas of Louisiana. Many of the lands directly h...

Hurricane Ida made landfall in southern Louisiana on Sunday, leaving a wake of devastation in its place and more than 1 million without power. Some of the hardest hit areas are home to Indigenous communities from the region, including the Houma people. Today, we want to highlight their stories and offer a chance for you to give. Our friend Monique Verdin is a poet, activist, and artist, and part o...

A group of nearly 30 activists were arrested by the Palestinian Authority last weekend as they demanded accountability for the death of PA critic Nizar Banat. We discuss this worrisome trend of crackdowns against PA dissent, and ask what it means for the prospects of peace in the region.  And with things seemingly continuing to spiral in Afghanistan, Haiti, Lebanon, and elsewhere, we talk through...

On Sunday, the Taliban entered the capital of Afghanistan and began reestablishing its rule. We’re horrified and deeply grieved by the reports coming out of Kabul and other parts of Afghanistan. This week, we discuss our reactions, and we ask: what do we do when everything feels out of control and overwhelming? *Join us Fri, Aug 20th for a webinar on Afghanistan Read/share the Principles and Pract...

A repost of one of the most popular episodes of our show Undaunted: Conversations with Radical Peacemakers. Listen to the rest of Season 1 at the top of this feed, and stay tuned for Season 2 airing this Fall.  -- In our season 1 finale, we hear from lawyer, activist, and founder of Justice Defenders, Alexander McLean. Alexander joined us earlier this year to discuss his work defending and empower...

For the past three months, the world has been watching and waiting for a final ruling from the Israeli Supreme Court on whether four Palestinian families living in Sheikh Jarrah would be able to stay in their homes, or be forcibly removed. The court reached its decision on Monday. In this episode, we discuss the court’s ruling and its implications with Suhad Babaa, Executive Director of Just Visio...

After Ben & Jerry’s announcement to no longer sell its ice-cream in the occupied Palestinian territories, a number of states have begun the process of enacting anti-boycott legislation against the Vermont-based company, calling the decision "antisemitic."  In this episode, we ask who’s behind these laws, and whether they are actually helpful for combating antisemitism. We discuss wha...

Ben & Jerry’s announced they would stop selling their ice cream in Israeli settlements. We discuss their statement, the Israeli response, and the US laws that make boycotting Israel illegal. And we talk about the rise in violent crime across the U.S. during the pandemic and what our response as peacemakers should be to address it. Read and share the Principles and Practices of Peacemaking Subs...

Detained Palestinian activist Khalida Jarrar was denied furlough to attend her daughter’s funeral after her sudden death this past week. In this episode, we open a discussion about her case and the larger practice of administrative detention in Israel/Palestine.  We also discuss the Church of England’s recent announcement of a formal apology for centuries of antisemitism in England. We wrestle wit...

The discovery of hundreds of unmarked graves at residential schools for Indigenous children in Canada has prompted a reckoning  within the U.S. over its treatment of Indigenous communities. We discuss what it means to grapple with this history, especially in light of the recent celebration of our nation’s founding on July 4th.  We also shed some light on the recent controversy over the Citizenship...

 Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is facing the biggest test of his political career. Resentment from the cancelled elections and years of backchannel dealing was climbing, but reached a climax after Nizar Banat, frequent critic of the Palestinian Authority, was apparently killed in his home by PA security forces last week. Hundreds took to the streets in protest and to demand Abu Mazen step do...

The Biden administration is now using the language of “security, freedom, and prosperity in equal measures" for Palestinians and Israelis in its approach to Israel/Palestine. While the language may be new for the U.S. government, it’s eerily familiar to us. We discuss the new language, what it might mean, and its similarities to language we’ve been using for years.  We also discuss an importa...

Israel's new government is voted in and Carly joins us from Lesbos to talk about it! We discuss the controversial Flag March in Jerusalem, Juneteenth becoming a federal holiday, and the importance of telling stories that elevate equity over scarcity. Read and share the Principles and Practices of Peacemaking Subscribe to the Telos Newsletter for more news analysis and peacemaking resources Fo...

Two years and four elections later, there might be a new government in Israel—one in which, for the first time in 12 years, Benjamin (Bibi) Netanyahu will not be Prime Minister. Who is Naftali Bennett, Israel’s likely new Prime Minister, what unifies this new government, and what does it mean for a future of peace for Israelis and Palestinians alike? These questions—and Sarah's love for sheep...

The Gaza Strip has been at the center of reporting in recent weeks after the escalation between Hamas and Israel that left much of the Strip devastated. But what brought Gaza to this point? How did a cosmopolitan beachfront area become “the world’s largest open-air prison?” We offer some much-needed context on Gaza, discuss the 100-year anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre, and ask what it means...

Last Friday, a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel went into effect, and the pause on rockets and airstrikes has held since. We discuss what this means—and what it doesn’t—and hear updates on all of the behind-the-headlines events, including the protests against the forced removal of Palestinian families in East Jerusalem and communal violence in central Israel. We also discuss the worrying trend o...

What’s happening in Israel/Palestine? With rocket attacks in Israel and airstrikes in Gaza dominating international news media, we took this week to answer your questions about the recent escalation, and what might be behind it too.  We also heard from a surprise special guest and dear friend whom Telos trip alumni may know.  Give to the Telos Peacemakers Fund which supports peacemakers on the gro...

What’s happening in Israel/Palestine? With rocket attacks in Israel and airstrikes in Gaza dominating international news media, we took this week to answer your questions about the recent escalation, and what might be behind it too.  Give to the Telos Peacemakers Fund which supports peacemakers on the ground Read and share the Principles and Practices of Peacemaking Subscribe to the Telos Newslett...

Unfolding events in Israel/Palestine have us deeply concerned—the escalation in violence between Hamas and Israel, community violence in mixed Arab-Jewish towns within Israel, police violence against protesters in East Jerusalem and at holy sites. We discuss these events, what this moment means for peace, and what pro-Israeli, pro-Palestinian, and pro-Peace Americans can do in response. This is an...

May 5, 2021 We discuss Orthodox Easter, the Mt. Meron tragedy, the new Human Rights Watch report on crimes against humanity in Israel/Palestine, Rick Santorum and the stories of our nation’s history, and how to hold competing truths in tension.  Read the Principles and Practices of Peacemaking Subscribe to the Telos Newsletter   Follow Telos on Instagram @thetelosgroup Resources mentioned: Layli L...

We discuss the recent protests, police violence, and anti-Arab mobs in Jerusalem; the U.S. recognition of the Amernian genocide, and how to build relationships with those different from us without tokenizing (Principle 4: Relationship).    Read the Principles and Practices of Peacemaking Subscribe to the Telos Newsletter   Follow Telos on Instagram @thetelosgroup Resources mentioned: Politico piec...

April 21, 2021. We discuss evictions and protests in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah, and the verdict of the trial of Derek Chauvin.  Read the Principles and Practices of Peacemaking Subscribe to the Telos Newsletter to receive even more peacemaking analysis on current events Follow Telos on Instagram @thetelosgroup Resources mentioned: Daniel Grothe Instagram post Minnesota AG Ke...

April 14, 2021. We discuss the biggest peace event in history, the U.S. restoring aid to the Palestinians and UNRWA, and protests following the death of Daunte Wright in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. We also dive into the first Practice of Peacemaking, Listening to Understand.  Read the Principles and Practices of Peacemaking Subscribe to the Telos Newsletter to receive even more peacemaking analysi...