Reader Responses
Responses from Palestinians, Muslims and Arabs
A response by Mustapha Ezzarghani to “Letters to my Palestinian Neighbor”
April 6, 2021 Dear Mr. Halevi, I recently had the honor of reading your book, Letters to my Palestinian Neighbor. The first thing that caught my attention was the title; the seemingly simple designation of the Palestinian people as your neighbors is a powerful declaration of love,…
A response by Soumia from Morocco to “Letters to my Plestinian Neighbor”
Reading and commenting on the book Letters to my Palestinian Neighbor Soumia, holds a master's degree in history and sociology. Abstract Letters to my Palestinian Neighbor is a book that is modest in length and whose cover page is simply designed. At first glance, the eye is relaxed by the…
Response from Talib from Iraq to “Letters to my Palestinian Neighbor”
Hello, I would first like to express my deep appreciation to you for inviting me to read the book. It caused me to reflect back on generations of Jews who were born and resided in Iraq and were an important part of Iraqi society. Things wouldn’t have gone so awry if it hadn’t been for racism…
A response from Edward from Egypt to “Letters to my Palestinian Neighbor”
I would like to thank your team for inviting me to read this book, including me in the open discussion you’re conducting with the Arab world; a discussion which has encouraged me to express my opinion sincerely, without fear or shyness. First of all, I consider religion to play a substantial…
A response from Ezzudden from Yemen to “Letters to my Palestinian Neighbor”
First off, it is worth stating the fact that the Arab-Israeli conflict during its more formative decades was in reality a conflict between the proponents of Gamal Abdel Nasser’s Arab nationalist ideology and the State of Israel; or, in other words, a nationalistic-brotherhood struggle…
A response from Jahshan from Yemen to “Letters to my Palestinian Neighbor”
If, upon reading the book, you were wondering what the author’s political stance may be, you need not look beyond the fact that he discusses the Palestinians – or, rather, addresses the Palestinians and indeed the wider Arab world – as though it is they who pose an obstacle to peace,…
A response from Radouane from Morocco to “Letters to my Palestinian Neighbor”
02/01/2021 This is my humble contribution to the discussion about the book Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor. The First Letter: The Wall Between Us I was blessed to have been invited to read Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor; a timely gift for the end of 2020, for the invitation was…
A response by Gamal Abdelazim from Egypt to “Letters to my Palestinian Neighbor”
Gamal Abdelazim – Egyptian journalist, writes for Alarabi I must admit that when I received a message on behalf of the American-Israeli writer, Yossi Klein Halevi, it came as a surprise to me that people in Israel were reading my articles and following my Twitter account. Yossi Klein…
A response from Ayoub from Morocco to “Letters to my Palestinian Neighbor”
January 4th, 2020 Dear Mr. Yossi Klein Halevi, I send you my warmest greetings. At the very outset of my letter, I would like to express my deep appreciation and gratefulness for the bravery and mental effort it must have taken you to write each and every line of your letters.…
A response from Ghada from Saudi Arabia to “Letters to my Palestinian Neighbor”
January 5th, 2021 A response from Ghada from Saudi Arabia I would like to thank Mr. Yossi for extending his invitation to Arabs to read his book and present their thoughts about it in response. I had the honour to not only read the book but get to know him through it! It just so…
A response from Mohamad H from Egypt to “Letters to my Palestinian Neighbor”
My neighbour, First, I would like to begin by addressing you as an intellectual Jew, noting that it is fortunate that this characterizes you better than a host of other potential descriptors, be it a politician, military serviceman, religious scholar or biased historian who cleaves only to…
A response from Dalia Aziz from Egypt to “Letters to my Palestinian Neighbor”
Dalia’s first letter to Yossi: 1- I would first like to take the opportunity to thank the person who invited me to read the book and showed interest in hearing my own personal thoughts and criticism on its contents. I want to address the following, however, to Yossi, in the hope that we can…
A response from Mohamed. S from Morocco to “Letters to my Palestinian Neighbor”
17/12/2020 Dear Yossi, I’m writing to you with tears of joy in my eyes from the official announcement of the resumption of ties between Israel and Morocco. We’ve waited for this moment for far too long. We know that the Moroccan-Israeli relationship should have been publicly and formally…
A response from Mohamed M. from Morocco to “Letters to my Palestinian Neighbor”
Thank you very much for inviting me to read this book. It is my honor to read it and offer my humble opinion. An initial glance at the book’s cover image which centers on an olive branch, certainly leaves you with the impression that the book is a call for peace. I’m one of those who follow…
A response from Nabil Younes from Jordan to “Letters to my Palestinian Neighbor”
Notes on the book Letters to my Palestinian Neighbor by the Israeli Jewish writer Yossi Klein Halevi: Upon browsing through the book, my curiosity was piqued by the tenth and last letter; so much so that I read this letter first. It had grabbed my attention because – with the writer…
A response from Shaadi from Palestine to “Letters to my Palestinian Neighbor”
My dear Israeli neighbor, I would like to thank you for all your efforts and for all the information that you have provided in your book. At times, I felt that your words were too harsh. On other occasions, I encountered information that was completely new to me. I see that you love…
A response by Dr. Abdullah S. from Saudi Arabia to “Letters to my Palestinian Neighbor”
Salamu Aalaykum, This year, the Muslim Hajj pilgrimage coincides with the Jews’ commemoration of the destruction of their temple on the ninth of the Hebrew month of Av. This period of time unites our religions because it is precisely on these days that the prophet Moses – peace be upon him –…
A response from Ramzi Nari from Iraq to “Letters to my Palestinian Neighbor”
A book review of Letters to my Palestinian Neighbor Ten letters were written and “sent” by the writer and researcher in Jewish and Israeli affairs, Yossi Klein Halevi. He gathered all these letters in a book titled Letters to my Palestinian Neighbor. It is worth noting that Yossi’s religious…
A response by Sam Mina from Jordan to “Letters to my Palestinian Neighbors”
First Response: In reading the first letter, I encountered a peaceful, loving and welcoming address to a hostile audience which reveals the fact that the writer desires nothing more than to instill love and peace into their hearts. There is, however, one thing about which I disagree…
Second response from Hisham from Egypt
To read Hisham's first response check this link To read Yossi's reply to Hisham's first response check this link Greetings dear Yossi, Before delving into the topic, allow me to thank both you and your team for inviting me to read the book, expressing such great interest in my…
A response from Iyad from Jordan to “Letters to my Palestinian Neighbor”
Neighbors without walls Introduction: I present myself to you today, a person who shattered conceptions that were imposed on me but which I’d never taken for granted; conceptions that I was prohibited from questioning or…
A response from Kadhim from Iraq to “Letters to my Palestinian Neighbor”
Thoughts about the first letter - The Wall Between Us Before sharing my thoughts regarding the first letter of Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor, I would like to pass on my warm regards to the great writer, Yossi, and his team. I wish you all success in your wonderful work. The…
A response from Mujahed Kobbe to “Letters to my Palestinian Neighbor”
"Dear Yossi, I suspect that with the current events unravelling in the Middle East, watching Arab and Muslim Gulf nations embrace peace with and recognize Israel must feel like as much of a dream to you as it does to me. It was the announcement of a peace deal between the UAE and Israel…
Correspondence Between Abdullah AlHadlaq from Kuwait and Yossi’s team
Abdullah AlHadlaq From Kuwait Here is one of the many clips that were spread on social media in which Abdulla is interviewed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzXnThcGq94 I was honored to be asked to read and offer my reactions to Letters to my Palestinian Neighbor, by Yossi Klein Halevi.…
A response from Muhammad from Egypt to “Letters to my Palestinian Neighbor”
I have just finished reading about a quarter of the book Letters to my Palestinian Neighbor which was written by the author Yossi Klein Halevi. This book merits to be considered a distinguished work of literature which explains and focuses on the religious Jewish identity. Based on what I…
A response from Hameed Al-Hadery from Yemen to “Letters to my Palestinian Neighbor”
While reading the first letter of Yossi Klein Halevi’s Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor I was taken by surprise when Yossi introduced himself as an observant religious Jewish writer. I would love to share with you some of my thoughts about the book and its writer: I could easily feel Yossi’s…
A response from Mustafa from Egypt to “Letters to my Palestinian Neighbor”
Dear Yossi, I am a young Egyptian man who’s been passionate to learn about the nature of the conflict between Israel and Egypt from an early age, especially since I was born years after the conflict and wasn’t there to witness its events. Luckily, by the time I was born, the leaders of both…
A response from Qais Shaker from Iraq to “Letters to my Palestinian Neighbor”
Letters to my Palestinian Neighbor contains deep rooted historical hatred against Iraq; the author discusses, with preconceived hatred, the role of the ancient king of Iraq (Nebuchadnazer) in expelling the Jews from Jerusalem and praises the Persians who allowed them to return to the holy…
A response from Rasha from Iraq to “Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor”
Can peace be considered a religious message that is restricted by politics? The author, Yossi Klein Halevi, says that peace starts with both sides’ ability to listen to each other’s narrative which in turn paves the road to peaceful coexistence. This road can be paved if both sides focus on…
A response from Ibrahim from Iraq to “Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor”
My review of the book Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor: I personally love the Iraqi Jews. I am an Iraqi Muslim and our fathers and grandfathers told us a lot about the Iraqi Jews who lived among us; the good relations they shared whilst living together in Iraq, back then. They also…
A response from Ali from Iraq to “Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor”
I am writing these letters as I read the book. I sent them to your team while I was still in the process of reading. Here's my first response, a response to the book's first letter. Introduction: First of all, I would like to send my greetings to Michal, the lady who introduced…
A response from Bint Sana’a from Yemen to “Letters to my Palestinian Neighbor”
Dear Yossi, I hope all is well with you. I have read Letters to my Palestinian Neighbor and found it immensely interesting in the beginning by virtue of the fact that it emotionally stirred me and compelled me to continue reading until I arrived at the part in which you delved into the religious…
A response from the activist Moomen Sallam from Egypt
To my Israeli neighbor, My dear neighbor Yossi Klein Halevi, I have read your letters to our Palestinian neighbor as your neighbor from Egypt. Both you and the Palestinian are my neighbors. In fact, your book, written in the form of letters, addresses all the neighbors in the Middle East…
Journalist Hussain Abdul-Hussain’s response to “Letters to My Palestinian Neighbour”
This article first appeared, in Arabic, on Alhurra. Here's the link Dear Yossi, greetings. I came across your book “Letters to my Palestinian Neighbor,” and I did not put it down until I had read it in full. I then browsed your Facebook page and saw that many Arabs have responded…
A response from Hana from Iraq to “Letters to my Palestinian Neighbor”
Dear Yossi, I have finished reading the first letter The Wall between Us and I must admit that in the beginning I couldn’t understand what you meant when you used the term “wall”. I thought that you were referring to the wall that you have built for your country’s security, but later on, as…
A response from Qasem Y. Awad from Palestine to “Letters to my Palestinian Neighbor”
Dear Yossi I managed to read part of your book. To be more precise, I have read only the book’s first letter. Nonetheless, I have some thoughts on this letter, and I would like to share them with you. Before I start, however, let me tell you something: if the rest of your book is the same…
A response from Ahmed Sa’eed from Yemen to “Letters to my Palestinian neighbor”
Dear Yossi Klein, I am writing to you from a country that surrounded us by walls of hatred so we won’t be able to communicate with you. I have finished reading your book "Letters to my Palestinian neighbor". I am curious to know what your reaction will be when you find out that I agree…
A response from Duha Salem from Jordan to “Letters to my Palestinian Neighbor”
My response to the first and second letters, Dear Yossi I would like to thank you for putting the effort into writing this distinguished book with its meaningful message. Communicating with and reaching out to the other side on a human level in order to bring peace and coexistence…
A response from Nasir Altayib from Sudan to “Letters to my Palestinian Neighbor”
Dear Yossi, Thank you for inviting me to read your beautiful book, Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor, which I have had the pleasure to read thoroughly. I appreciate the effort to which you have gone in order to explain a great number of controversial issues in substantial detail, not to…
A response from Hisham from Egypt to “Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor”
A book review of Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor by Hisham from Egypt I was honored to be invited to read Letters to my Palestinian neighbor by the Israeli writer Yossi Klein Halevi. In fact, I did not intend to read it right away, electing to simply read the introduction during some…
A correspondence between Ayad Hwady from Iraq and Yossi
Dear Yossi, I would love to share with you my honest opinion regarding your letters to your dear neighbor. From someone with Arab and Islamic origins you might very well expect my mind to be filled with all sorts of pre-judgments, courtesy of the education upon which I was raised. Forgive me if I…
A warm response from Yousef from Palestine to “Letters to my Palestinian Neighbor”
Dear brother, Yossi, I used to be your “next door” neighbor, one of many Palestinians whom you are addressing, but my family managed to move to the UK several years ago because we have relatives here. I choose to call you “brother” because we are no longer neighbors, but I also feel…
A response from Mrs. Suhair from Iraq to “Letters to my Palestinian Neighbor”
Asalamu Alaykum wa Rahmatu Allah wa Barakatu (Peace, mercy and blessings of God be upon you), Thank you so much for your warm wishes to the people of Iraq. I believe these wishes come straight from your heart and emanate from your evident kindness. This book is a serious step towards…
A response from Omar from Syria to “Letters to my Palestinian Neighbor”
November 29th, 2019 Dear Yossi, I read your wonderful book which brims with your investment in its pages and testifies to your dedication to spread the words of truth; words that reflect the spirit of millions of Jewish men, women and children for thousands of years. Your words represent…
A response from the Kuwaiti writer Aziz Alqenaei
“Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor “is a book that was published in 2018, is available both in English and in Arabic, and is currently being translated to Hebrew. The Arabic edition has 107 pages and the Author’s name is Yossi Klein Halevi. Yossi is a writer and a commentator on Jewish and…
A letter to my Jewish Neighbor by M.G from Bethlehem
A letter to my Jewish Neighbor When I first heard/read on one of the websites online (I can’t remember if it were a Palestinian or an Israeli one) about the book, it stuck in my mind and I knew that I had to read it and send you…
Kamal Al-Hasoon’s response to Letters to my Palestinian Neighbor
Dear Yossi, I was seven years old when I heard the word “Israel” for the first time and that was while I was a pupil studying in one of the Syrian Baathist schools. They taught us that Israel was the occupying entity which is trying to take over the entire Arab world. I was surrounded by…
A response from Salaam from Egypt to “Letters to my Palestinian Neighbor”
Dear Yossi, Thank you so much for sharing this marvelous literary work with me. Without getting into too many details, reading the book stirred my emotions and brought up a lot of old memories, sorrows, moments of happiness and pain and, at the same time, gratitude to God. I hope we meet…
A book review by the Journalist Suzan Quitaz – London
I have lost the count of the number of books I have read about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in which the discourse is often one-sided, supporting the narrative of one over the other. Halevi’s book Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor looks beyond the realm of whose claim is more holy and…
A response from Haitham Fadel – A Palestinian journalist
The Israeli author Yossi Klein Halevi wrote a book called Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor. The book’s cover features a drawing of an olive branch consisting of ten leaves, symbolizing the ten letters addressing his Palestinian neighbour; The Wall Between Us, Need and Longing, Fate and…
Salah from Palestine – my impressions after meeting Yossi and his staff
The first meeting with a person whom you have your entire life considered to be an enemy can alter your perspective. It can even turn things utterly upside down. The trip from Ramallah to Jerusalem for the purpose of meeting Yossi helped me re-evaluate the relations between the two…
A response from Ibn Dijlah from Iraq to “Letters to my Palestinian Neighbor”
Dear Yossi, I started reading your book. It is rather passionate and deploys interesting logic and rationales. However, to judge its value, one has to understand the strategic purpose of its writing and targeted audience. It is presumably not aimed at people such as myself who are already…
A response from Waleed Alharbi from KSA to “Letters to my Palestinian Neighbor”
Dear Yossi, Your book is amazing. I learned a lot about the Jewish nation and religion. To be honest, I had started becoming more open towards Israel over the past couple of years, and this book just convinced me to continue on this path. The letters you wrote do not only address…
Yossi Klein Halevi Asks Me To Recognize His Humanity. Can He Do The Same For Me?
Yossi Klein Halevi Asks Me To Recognize His Humanity. Can He Do The Same For Me? - Khalil Sayegh, Forward
Rawan Osman from Syria – A letter to Yossi Klein Halevi
Dear Yossi, I am one of many Syrians living abroad, scattered around the globe. For nearly five decades, the Assad regime has condemned us to austerity and oppression for the sake of defending “Arab dignity” against the Israeli project. Since the regime and its allies—not the Israelis—began…
A response from Amira from Morocco to “Letters to my Palestinian Neighbor”
Dear Yossi, Thank you so much for inviting me to read your book Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor. I like the book! Although I have read only some 45 pages so far, I have learned and understood so many things about you, your history, your identity and why you wrote this book. I will…
A response from A. Atar from Iraq to “Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor”
Dear Yossi, I am writing these words not out of hostility to my culture of origin but out of desperation to find new ways to overcome its social barriers that hamper social progress that would have made me feel proud of where I originally come from. The intended direction of social progress…
Aboud Dandachi: a former Syrian refugee’s response to “Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor”
Review of “Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor” Dear Yossi, from someone who is not your neighbor. Tomorrow is October 19th. Not a particularly note worthy date. But tomorrow it will be exactly 2 years and 3 months since I landed in Canada, one refugee on a plane carrying 20 others. To me,…
A book review to “Letters to my Palestinian Neighbor” by Ali Alayed
The name of this book grabbed my attention immediately but I didn’t foresee finishing the book within a mere few hours from the minute I started reading the first letter. I received the honor of being invited to read the book “Letters to my Palestinian Neighbor” written by Yossi Klein…
Abdelgawad Sayed’s second response to Yossi Klein Halevi
Dear Yossi, Thank you for your kind response to my article that was published in Arabic on Alhewar Almotamaden, 13/7/2019, in response to your book, Letters to my Palestinian Neighbor. Once again, I decided to publish my response in an article in order to get more people involved in the…
Dr. Elham Manea’s Second Response to Yossi’s Letter
This is Dr. Manea's second response to Yossi's letter to her. If you would like to read Dr. Manea's first response to the book click here. Dear Yossi, I received your letter last Sunday and was touched by its honest words. I cherished it. On the same day, I was leaving for a week of…
Book club activity: Eyas, Family, Friends, and Fun in Jerusalem
Eyas: Family, Friends, and Fun in Jerusalem - Eyas - By Debate For Peace
A response from Said from Saudi Arabia to “Letters to my Palestinian Neighbor”
Dear Yossi, First of all, I would like to thank you for inviting me to read this book and write my thoughts about it. I found your book to be of value and importance. You, the author, had the courage to address the most sensitive and controversial issues regarding the Israeli-Palestinian…
A response from Salah From Palestine to “Letters to my Palestinian Neighbor”
My notes/book review – Salah from Palestine Since Mr. Yossi is a prominent writer and journalist, he has successfully introduced the Jewish narrative to the Arab readers in this book. The storytelling was smooth and beautiful. The writer implemented several fundamental media…
Abdelgawad Sayed from Egypt – a blog post
Dear Yossi, First of all, I would like to thank you for inviting me to read your valuable book Letters to my Palestinian Neighbor. I found it eloquent, rich with emotion and to have been written in good faith. I published my review in order to spread the word and broaden the circle of…
Correspondence between Sultan from Saudi Arabia and Yossi
Dear Yossi, Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity to read your inspiring book, where I found genuine and honest intentions to spread peace among all human beings, not only Arabs and Israelis. Upon reading the book, I found myself agreeing with you on so many of the issues you…
Dr. Elham Manea’s first response- Imagine Peace and Work for It
Imagine Peace and Work for It “You have to start somewhere”, she told me. She was a veteran female mediator whom I met in a national dialogue conference in…
A response from Abdelillah from Morocco to “Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor”
Dear Yossi, I have never read such a wonderful book about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It took me only a few days to finish reading it in Arabic (over 100 A4-pages). I needed to pause and think after reading each paragraph because each and every one taught me various things about which I had…
A response by Fred Maroun from Ottawa to “Letters to my Palestinian Neighbor”
I have read many books on the Israel Arab conflict, yet I consider that "Letter to my Palestinian neighbor", a very short book by Yossi Klein Halevi, to be the best book that I have read on the conflict. This is why. First, the book explains in very simple yet eloquent terms the whole…
A response by anonymous reader to “Letters to my Palestinian Neighbor”
Dear Yossi, I read and truly immersed myself in this book. There are things I want to express which might betray my ignorance, but I shall force myself to be uncensored, in keeping with the spirit of the book, which I also deemed uncensored and heartfelt. This book – this emotional appeal – is…
Other Responses
A response from Emanuel Shahaf – The Federation Movement
Yossi Klein Halevi’s book “Letters to my Palestinian Neighbor” is a wonderful compendium of the Israeli narrative; beautifully written, sensitive and sensible, painting a relatively clear picture of the challenges with which we are up against in arriving at a mutual understanding between…
A letter from Jordan G. – A high school youth from the U.S.
Dear Distant Cousin, I am not Palestinian, I am a member of the very much assimilated American Jewry. I know I am not part of the group that you extended your invitation to write to. I am sure that you have received dozens of gushing responses from people like me who think that maybe if they make…
A letter to Yossi from Lyn Julius – the author of Uprooted
Dear Yossi Your book is a lyrical, valiant, well-written, faith-based attempt to set out the case for Israel. For Jews these are well-rehearsed arguments, but I thought your idea of addressing a Palestinian audience is inspiring. Congratulations! As the daughter of Iraqi-Jewish refugees, I was…
Yossi's Replies
An interview conducted by the Moroccan journalist Fernane Mohamed for Lesiteinfo
An interview conducted by the Moroccan journalist Fernane Mohamed for Lesiteinfo Yossi Klein Halevi: Israelis perceive Morocco as a special country Yossi Klein Halevi’s bestseller, Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor, is a book that has certainly prompted much discussion and debate in Morocco,…
Yossi’s reply to Rosaline from Yemen
This is Yossi's reply to Rosaline from Yemen. To read Rosaline's full response check this link Dear Rosaline, Thank you so much for your warm response to my book. I agree with you that good intentions will not be sufficient to begin solving this conflict. And yes, people-to-people…
Yossi’s reply to Dr. Abdullah from Saudi Arabia
This is Yossi's reply to Dr. Abdullah from Saudi Arabia. To read Dr. Abdullah's full response check this link Dear Dr. Abdullah, I was deeply touched by the goodwill and open heart which your letter revealed, and also by the careful and thoughtful way in which you read my book. Thank…
Yossi’s reply to Jahshan from Yemen
This is Yossi's reply to Jahshan from Yemen. To read Jahshan's full response check this link Dear Jahshan, Thank you for your candid response. While it’s true that reading your letter was painful for me, I’m still grateful that you took the time to read my book and to respond. I have no…
Yossi’s reply to Ghada from Saudi Arabia
This is Yossi's reply to Ghada from Saudi Arabia. To read Ghada's full response check this link Dear Ghada, Thanks so much for your thoughtful and heartfelt letter. I was delighted to hear feedback from a reader in Saudi Arabia. Now that Israel and the Gulf states are drawing closer,…
Yossi’s reply to Radouane from Morocco
This is Yossi's reply to Radouane from Morocco. to read Radouane's full response check this link Dear Radouane, Thank you for your nuanced and thoughtful response, which I deeply appreciated. I felt the seriousness with which you read my book. For a writer, there is no greater gift than…
Yossi’s reply to Mohamed.S from Morocco
This is Yossi’s reply to Mohamed.S from Morocco. To read Mohamed's full response check this link Dear Mohamed, Thank you so much for your warm and deeply appreciated letter. Like you, I am thrilled with the establishment of formal relations between our two countries. What excites me…
Yossi’s reply to Shaadi from Palestine
This is Yossi's reply to Shaadi from Palestine. To read Shaadi's full response check this link Dear Shaadi, Thank you for your thoughtful comments, for the careful attention with which you read my book and for your open heart. I was deeply touched, encouraged and saddened, by your…
Yossi’s reply to Ramzi Nari from Iraq
This is Yossi’s reply to Ramzi Nari from Iraq. To read Ramzi’s full response check this link Dear Ramzi, Thank you so much for your warm and extraordinarily thoughtful response to my book. Your letter touched me deeply, from beginning to end. I am grateful for your insights, your…
Yossi’s reply to Dalia Aziz from Egypt
This is Yossi's reply to Dalia from Egypt. To read Dalia's full response check this link Dear Dalia, First, please forgive the long delay in responding to your thoughtful and important letter. The issue you raise – the relationship of Judaism to the non-Jew – is a crucial question…
Yossi’s reply to Iyad from Jordan
This is Yossi's reply to Iyad from Jordan. To read Iyad's full response check this link Yossi’s response Dear Iyad, First, please forgive the long delay in responding to your wonderful letter. I am so grateful to you for having read my book with an open mind, and for your willingness to…
Yossi’s reply to Nasir Altayib from Sudan
This is Yossi's reply to Nasir Altayib from Sudan. To read Nasir's full response check thislink Dear Nasir, Thanks so much for your beautiful and generous letter. I hope that you and your family are well in these difficult times. It was especially moving for me to receive a letter…
Yossi’s reply to Sam Mina from Jordan
This is Yossi’s reply to Sam Mina from Jordan. To read Sam’s full response check this link Dear Sam, Thanks very much for writing. I appreciate the care with which you read my book, and I'm grateful to you for reaching out. I'm aware of the quotes you mention and they are troubling.…
Yossi’s reply to Abdullah from Kuwait
This is Yossi’s reply to Abdullah from Kuwait. To read Abdullah’s full response check this link Dear Abdullah, Thank you for taking the time to read my book, for your passionate messages, for your friendship to the Jewish people. I never take for granted an outstretched hand,…
Yossi’s reply to Kadhim from Iraq
This is Yossi's response to Kadhem from Iraq. To read Kadhem's full response check this link Dear Kadhim, First, please accept my apologies for the long delay in responding to your wonderful letters. I am deeply touched by your warm response to my book and, no less, by your careful…
Yossi’s reply to Ali from Iraq
This is Yossi's reply to Ali from Iraq. To read Ali's full response check this link Dear Ali, Please accept my apology and my gratitude: my apology, for taking so long to respond to you; and my gratitude for the seriousness with which you read and responded to my book. I will…
Yossi’s response to Qais Shaker from Iraq
This is Yossi’s reply to Qais Shaker from Iraq. To read Qais’s full response check this link Dear Qais, First, my apologies to you for the long delay in responding. Second, my gratitude to you for taking the time to read my book and to respond. When I wrote my book I didn’t ask…
Yossi’s reply to Muhammad from Egypt
This is Yossi’s reply to Mohamed from Egypt. To read Mohamed’s full response check this link Dear Muhammad, Thanks so much for writing. When I wrote the book and invited responses, the only responses I hoped to receive were honest voices. Thank you for your honesty and your…
Yossi’s reply to Rasha from Iraq
This is Yossi’s reply to Rasha from Iraq. To read Rasha’s full response check this link Dear Rasha, I was deeply touched to read your thoughtful response to my book. Thank you for your respectful reading and for letting others know about this project. You write about the mistakes that…
Yossi’s reply to Ahmed Sa’eed from Yemen
This is Yossi’s reply to Ahmed Sa’eed from Yemen. To read Ahmed’s full response check this link Dear Ahmed, I hope you are keeping well in this difficult time. Thanks so much for your wonderful letter. I was delighted to read a response from Yemen, a country that has a deep place in Israeli society…
Yossi’s reply to Qasem Y. Awad from Palestine
This is Yossi’s reply to Qasem Y. Awad from Palestine. To read Qasem's full response check this link Dear Qasem, Thank you for your letter. As difficult as it was for me to read, I am grateful to you for taking the time to respond. I invited Palestinians to respond and you did. I…
Yossi’s response to Aziz Alqenaei
This is Yossi’s reply to Aziz Alqenaei. To read lAziz Alqenaei’s full response check this link Dear AbdulAziz Alqenaei, First, thank you for your thoughtful critique of my book. You were fair and balanced, and I am grateful to you, both for the praise and for the respectful way you…
Yossi’s reply to M.G from Bethlehem
This is Yossi’s reply to M.G from Bethlehem. To read M's full response check this link Dear Mahmoud, First, please forgive my long delay in responding to your beautiful, painful letter. Yes, we are of course cousins – though as we know from family dynamics, sometimes the most bitter rivalries can…
Yossi’s reply to Duha Salem from Jordan
This is Yossi’s reply to Duha Salem from Jordan. To read Duha’s full response check this link Dear Duha, Thank you for your beautiful letter. As I was reading your words from the heart, I felt that it was worth writing this book, if only to get your response. I especially appreciated…
Yossi’s reply to Hisham from Egypt
This is Yossi's reply to Hisham from Egypt. To read Hisham's full response check this link Dear Hisham, Thank you for your beautiful and perceptive review of my book. I couldn’t have hoped for a better response. You summed up exactly what I was hoping to achieve with the book, and for…
Yossi’s reply to the Syrian reader Kamal Al-Hasoon
This is Yossi's response to the Syrian reader Kamal Al-Hasoon. To read Kamal's response check this link Dear Kamal, First, please forgive the long delay in my response to your gracious and thoughtful letter. Thank you for your kind words about my book. I am grateful to God that I was…
Yossi’s reply to Mrs. Suhair from Iraq
This is Yossi's response to Mrs. Suhair from Iraq. To read Mr.s Suhair's full response check this link Dear Suhair, Thank you for your beautiful response to my book. Your goodwill shines through every word. We have all inherited a tragedy that none of us are responsible for creating –…
Yossi’s reply to the Palestinian reader Yousef
This is Yossi’s Response to the Palestinian reader Yousef. You can find Yousef's response here My Dear Brother Yousef, Your letter was exactly the response I was hoping – praying – for: a willingness to engage with my story while upholding the dignity of your story. Of all the responses I’ve…
Yossi’s response to the Syrian reader Omar
This is Yossi’s Response to the Syrian reader Omar. You can find Omar’s response here Dear Omar, Thank you for your beautiful and deeply thoughtful letter. You write that you wish you could communicate with me in Hebrew; I wish I could write to you in Arabic, a language I have learned…
Yossi’s response to the Iraqi reader Ayad
This is Yossi’s Response to Ayad Hwady from Iraq. You can find Ayad’s response here My Dear Friend Ayad, It is a wonderful experience to be able to address you – someone I haven’t yet met – as “my dear friend.” Your letter touched me deeply. I couldn’t have hoped for a better reader than…
Yossi’s Response to the Palestinian journalist Haitham Fadel
Yossi’s Response to the Palestinian journalist Haitham Fadel. You can find the translation to Haitham's response here Dear Haitham Fadel, Thank you for responding to my book. I invited Palestinians to respond and you were among those who did. I didn’t ask for a positive response, only for an…
Yossi’s reply to the Iraqi reader Ibn Dijlah
Yossi's response to the Iraqi reader Ibn Dijlah. You can read Ibn Dijlah's response here Dear Ibn Dijlah, First, thank you for your generous response to my book. Forgive the long delay in my response. I’ve been traveling abroad and only recently returned home. I also want to express my solidarity…
Yossi’s Response to the Saudi writer Ali Alayed
Yossi’s Response to the Saudi writer Ali Alayed. You can find the translation to Ali’s response here. Dear Ali AlAyed, Please forgive my long delay in responding to your gracious and generous review of my book. I could not have possibly hoped for a more thoughtful response from a reader…
Yossi’s reply to Salah from the West Bank
This is Yossi's response to Salah from Palestine. To read Salah's response please check this link Dear Salah, First, my apologies for not being in touch sooner. I’ve been traveling abroad for much of this period and have been derelict in maintaining connections, including keeping in touch with…
Yossi’s reply to Amira from Morocco
THis is Yossi's response to Amira from Moroocco. To read Amira's response please check this link. Dear Amira, Thanks so much for writing. I’m so glad the book is speaking to you. I hope you will continue to find it worthy. I especially appreciate the way the word “Neighbor” resonated for…
Yossi’s reply to A. Atar from Iraq
This is Yossi’s Response to the reader A. Atar from Iraq. You can find the translation to A.Atar's response here Dear A. Atar, First, thanks so much for your warm words about my book, and for taking the time to not only read but to respond. I deeply appreciate your focus on the…
Yossi’s reply to Aboud Dandachi
This is Yossi's response to Aboud Dandachi's letter. You can find Aboud's response Here. Dear Aboud, I was deeply touched by your response to my book (so touched in fact that I sent it to my three children). I so much appreciated your emphasis on the need for us to know each other -- the…
Yossi’s reply to Sultan from Saudi Arabia
Dear Sultan, Your wonderful letter touched me deeply. Thank you, my friend – and I feel that, though I know almost nothing about you, we have already become friends. I wholeheartedly endorse your idea that personal connections between Arabs and Israelis can help ease the task of the politicians to…
Yossi’s reply to Mr. Abdelgawad Sayed’s first blog post response
This is Yossi's response to the Egyptian reader Abdelgawad Sayed. To read Abdelgawad's letter click Here. Dear Abdelgawad Sayed, Thanks so much for your warm and supportive – and challenging – letter, for all of which I am grateful. You are right: Though I wrote my letters to a Palestinian…
Yossi’s first reply to Dr. Elham Manea
The following is the author's response to Dr. Elham Manea's Imagine Peace and Work for It response. Dear Elham, First, forgive me for not responding sooner to your wonderful letter. I read it several times, and each time felt I was learning something new. To begin with, yes, I certainly was told…
Why have Jews been persecuted? Yossi responds to a very common question by his book’s readers
"What are the reasons behind the continuous historical persecution of the Jewish people throughout history? Why did the Jews specifically go through all of this persecution?" Great question. Entire books have been written trying to answer that question. I am currently reading two of them, both…