Rula Daood: 'We are closest to peace at times of war'

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Until the Israeli government sets a plan for Gaza after the war, Rula Daood says, they are choosing to end up with Hamas.
 A speech pathologist by trade, Rula Daood is now the national co-director of Standing Together, a progressive grassroots movement of Israeli Jews and Palestinians fighting for "full equality for everyone in this land." 
A Christian Palestinian who is also an Israeli citizen, Rula grew to become a political activist organizing Jewish-Arab partnerships in Israel's mixed cities. Since joining Standing Together in the late 2010s, Raood has propelled the movement's dramatic growth. Alongside her co-director Alon-Lee Green, who is Jewish, Rula was named as one of TIME magazine's 100 emerging global leaders of 2024.
Now, she joins us to answer 18 questions on Israel, including the ceasefire deal, Gaza's future, and how peace is still possible.
This interview was held on Jan. 21.
Here are our 18 questions:

1. As an Israeli, and as a Palestinian, how are you feeling at this moment in Israeli history?
2. Can you share more about your experience of October 7?
3. What has been Israel’s greatest success and greatest mistake in the current war against Hamas?
4. Is Standing Together reflective of Israeli society?
5.  What do you look for in deciding which Knesset party to vote for?
6. Which is more important for Israel: Judaism or democracy?
7. What role should the Israeli government have in religious matters?
8. What is Zionism for you?
9. Is opposing Zionism ever antisemitic?
10. Can questioning the actions of Israel’s government and army — even in the context of this war — be a valid form of love and patriotism?
11. What do you think is the most legitimate criticism leveled against Israel today?
12. What do you think is the most illegitimate criticism leveled against Israel today?
13. Do you think peace between Israelis and Palestinians will happen within your lifetime?
14. What should happen with Gaza and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict after the war?
15. What do you wish the world knew about the Palestinian communities in Israel?
16. What is a book you think everyone should read about Israel?
17. Where do you identify on Israel’s political and religious spectrum, and do you have friends on the “other side”?
18. Do you have more hope or fear for Israel?