In the aftermath of the October 7th massacre and the devastating war in
Gaza, the need for interreligious dialogue has never been more urgent. The
brutality of that day and the waves of violence and antisemitism that followed
have deepened divides not only in the Middle East but across the globe. Yet it
is precisely in such times of crisis that religion can serve as a powerful
tool—not for enmity, but for healing. When political negotiations stall, when
secular frameworks fall short, interreligious dialogue offers an alternative path:
one that speaks to the deepest identities of communities, affirms dignity
across divides, and seeks reconciliation rooted in shared values. This special
issue of Nexus brings together leading scholars and practitioners who, writing
against the backdrop of October 7, explore the ways in which dialogue across
faiths can confront hatred, bridge divides, and sow the seeds of a more just
and peaceful future.
Efrat Aviv describes the life and vision of Fethullah Gülen, the founder of the
Hizmet movement, who dedicated himself to education, compassion, and
above all interfaith dialogue. From his historic meeting with Pope John Paul II
to his unequivocal rejection of terrorism as un-Islamic, Gülen championed a
vision in which love and forgiveness transcend divides. Aviv situates Gülen’s
thought within both theological frameworks and political controversies,
highlighting his enduring call to heal a fractured world through dialogue.
David Neuhaus revisits Nostra aetate, the groundbreaking 1965 Vatican II
declaration that transformed Catholic relations with Judaism and Islam. Born
in the shadow of the Holocaust, the document rejected centuries of contempt
and called for respect, dignity, and dialogue. Neuhaus argues that today, amid
the renewed cycle of religiously charged conflict in Israel/Palestine, Nostra
aetate retains its prophetic power, reminding us that interreligious dialogue is
not naïve but essential, and that faith can and must be a force for
reconciliation.
Nazhat Faheema warns that meaningful interfaith dialogue cannot rest on
symbolic gestures alone. Especially in the wake of October 7, she calls for
frameworks that embrace ideological diversity, emotional complexity, and local
contexts. To achieve this, she argues, requires renewed leadership—religious
figures and trained facilitators capable of navigating political sensitivities,
fostering empathy, and building trust-based models of engagement that reflect
the lived realities of Jewish and Muslim communities.
Yakov Nagan reflects on the profound rupture in Jewish–Muslim relations
following October 7 and the surge in antisemitism worldwide. While
acknowledging the disillusionment of many, he warns that abandoning
interfaith engagement would only serve the goals of extremists. Drawing on
the Abraham Accords, Muslim acts of solidarity, and shared scriptural values,
he calls for the creation of a Jewish–Muslim equivalent of Nostra aetate—a

theological framework affirming fraternity, compassion, and the sacred ties
rooted in the legacy of Abraham.
Doron Danino turns to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict itself, arguing that
Western secular models of peacemaking have failed because they ignore the
religious dimensions of the land. To him, any sustainable resolution must be
faith-sensitive, recognizing religious-nationalist voices on both sides. He
proposes alternatives such as time-limited or non-final agreements, reframing
concessions as custodianship rather than surrender, and acknowledging
divine ownership of the land as a shared point of departure.
Tami Ben Haim highlights the work of Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in
promoting interfaith dialogue both domestically and globally. By engaging
leaders from Christian, Muslim, Druze, Bahá’í, and other faith traditions, the
ministry fosters cooperation against extremism and enhances Israel’s
diplomatic standing. Through initiatives such as interfaith iftar dinners, the
Heads of Religions Conference, and collaborations with allies like India, Israel
has sought to leverage interreligious engagement as a tool for peace and
coexistence.
Elad Ben David examines Muslim–Jewish dialogue in the United States,
where October 7 and the war in Gaza have intensified tensions, particularly
on college campuses. Yet despite heightened anti-Zionism and strained
relations, Muslim leaders such as Omar Suleiman and Yasir Qadhi continue to
champion dialogue, emphasizing shared values, historical coexistence, and
the importance of distinguishing anti-Zionism from antisemitism. Past interfaith
initiatives—whether through events, social media, or cooperation on social
issues—provide a foundation for rebuilding trust, even in the face of deep
divides.
Finally, Aharon Ariel Lavi argues that if religious ideas fuel conflict, they must
also form part of the solution. He traces how sacred myths—whether Hamas’s
invocation of al-Aqsa or Jewish portrayals of Palestinians as Amalek—entrap
both sides in a logic of perpetual struggle. His call is for “Interfaith Diplomacy,”
a strategic effort to reclaim religious concepts as forces for peace, much as
Catholicism did through Nostra aetate. If ideas have consequences, he
insists, then religious ideas must be harnessed to pave a path toward
reconciliation.
Taken together, these contributions remind us that interreligious dialogue is
not a luxury for calmer times, but a necessity in moments of crisis. It demands
courage, theological creativity, and practical commitment. As this issue shows,
dialogue is not an alternative to political or diplomatic efforts, but their
essential complement. It is precisely amid war, fear, and mistrust that interfaith
engagement can help us reimagine a future where religious traditions, rather
than dividing, inspire paths to healing and peace.