Palestinian Professor Advocates for Peace and Bridges Amidst Conflict

Professor Mohammed Dajani Daoudi, an 80-year-old Palestinian academic and founder of the moderate Islamic movement 'Wassatiyah,' remains a staunch advocate for peace and reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians. Speaking from Jerusalem's Imperial Hotel, a place significant to his family's history, Daoudi expressed his enduring hope that future generations will be able to coexist peacefully. He draws inspiration from his upbringing, which emphasized interfaith values and compromise, and his family's legacy as guardians of the Tomb of King David.

Daoudi's journey has been marked by a deep engagement with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He recounts his early involvement with Fatah in 1967, driven by idealism, but later became disillusioned by the organization's corruption. After a period of study in the UK and the US, he returned to the region, establishing academic departments and working with the UN and the Palestinian Authority to train civil servants. He founded 'Wassatiyah' (meaning 'middle way' or 'moderation') to counter radical ideologies, emphasizing tolerance and interfaith dialogue.

He criticizes both Hamas and extremist Zionist ideologies for their maximalist stances, believing that a two-state solution based on mutual recognition is the only viable path forward. Daoudi also points to the current Israeli government's rhetoric as empowering radicals on both sides, arguing that moderation paves the way for genuine negotiations. He initiated programs, including taking Palestinian students to Auschwitz and Israeli students to a refugee camp, to foster empathy and understanding.

Daoudi faced significant backlash for these initiatives, including the destruction of his office and pressure to resign from his university position, which he ultimately did. He believes that normalization aimed at ending the occupation and building peace is not betrayal, but a necessary step. Despite his criticisms of Palestinian leadership, he suggests that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas could still be instrumental in achieving a peace agreement, emphasizing the need for mutual recognition and a focus on coexistence.

Looking ahead, Daoudi advocates for strengthening moderate voices within Palestinian society and believes that elections under occupation will favor radicals. He urges Israelis to invest in building bridges rather than perpetuating conflict, stating that a focus on peace will lead to a better future for all.