Resources for constructive (that is, unifying and problem-solving) conversations.
Bahá’í
July 9, 1947 Letter to the United Nations Special Committee on Palestine https://www.bic.org/statements/letter-united-nations-special-committee-palestine
Extract: “The Baha’i Faith is entirely nonpolitical and we neither take sides in the present tragic dispute going on over the future of the Holy Land and its people nor have we any statement to make or advice to give as to what the nature of the political future of this country should be. Our aim is the establishment of universal peace in this world and our desire to see justice prevail in every domain of human society, including the domain of politics. As many of the adherents of our Faith are of both Jewish and Moslem extraction, we have no prejudice towards either of these groups and are most anxious to reconcile them for their mutual good and for the good of the country.”
October, 1985 To the Peoples of the World https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/19851001_001/1#883867984
Extract: “Whether peace is to be reached only after unimaginable horrors precipitated by humanity’s stubborn clinging to old patterns of behavior, or is to be embraced now by an act of consultative will, is the choice before all who inhabit the earth. At this critical juncture when the intractable problems confronting nations have been fused into one common concern for the whole world, failure to stem the tide of conflict and disorder would be unconscionably irresponsible.”
March 2, 2013 Regarding several issues related to the Baha’i principle of non-involvement in partisan politics https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/20130302_001/1#063389421
Extract: “Now that the true intentions of your oppressors have been laid bare, it behoves you to respond to the growing interest of your fellow citizens in understanding the Bahá’í attitude towards politics, lest misconceptions be allowed to weaken the bonds of friendship you are establishing with so many souls. In this, they deserve more than a few statements, however important, that evoke images of love and unity. To assist you in conveying to them a vision of the framework that shapes the Bahá’í approach to the subject, we are providing you with the comments below.”
Various Resources
A work in progress. Not all of the following reflect my own views. These are just some things I have read or listened to, so far, that I have found helpful as I try to improve 1) my understanding about one of the world’s most controversial issues, and 2) my ability to contribute without making it worse. If you are reading this please let me know colin.dibdin @ gmail.com of any resources that at least ATTEMPT to be non-partisan and solution-oriented which are not already listed below.
Books
The Israel Palestine Reader, edited by Alan Dowty.
“The choice of readings confirms Alan Dowty’s well-deserved reputation for even-handed presentation of the respective narratives… an extremely useful teaching tool for courses on the Israel-Palestine conflict.” Neil Caplan, Middle East Journal“
The Future is Peace: An Israeli. A Palestinian. A brotherhood across the divide, by Maoz Inon & Aziz Abu Sarah
“In the face of suffering of these two brothers, the suffering of these two nations, I have no words. They have had the courage to embrace each other. Let us pray for peace, and for these two brothers to bring the will to work for peace to their people.” – His Holiness Pope Francis
Videos
We are One. Music by Dan Seals, sung by Paul Seaforth https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYmXJ9Qroak
The Science of Depolarization (Interview with Amanda Ripley) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-K7JUKV1w4 Part of the Society Builders podcast series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLCH80aa0o8D4FStGtuugKw0reUyEF0unEQ
#229 – 19 June 2025 – Principles for peaceful discussion about international conflicts. – Group Discussion (intro by Colin Dibdin) https://www.youtube.com/live/nCf82ecpTws?si=gMjCyS3Yka_KavJA
#236 – 7 August 2025 – Baha’i Perspective on Political Engagement – Jared Mondschein www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=zUyE8SgkWHY
#263 – 5 March 2026 – Collective Security – Intro by Colin Dibdin – Group discussion https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsmkhtWbXuw
“Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream” sung by Tracy Newman https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spXR9FuIN4E
The words of this seemingly simple song remind me of the words of Bahá’u’lláh: “The time must come when the imperative necessity for the holding of a vast, an all-embracing assemblage of men will be universally realized. The rulers and kings of the earth must needs attend it, and, participating in its deliberations, must consider such ways and means as will lay the foundations of the world’s Great Peace amongst men.”
Concerning the proceedings for this world gathering, ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá, the son of Bahá’u’lláh and authorized interpreter of his teachings, offered these insights: “They must make the Cause of Peace the object of general consultation, and seek by every means in their power to establish a Union of the nations of the world. They must conclude a binding treaty and establish a covenant, the provisions of which shall be sound, inviolable and definite. They must proclaim it to all the world and obtain for it the sanction of all the human race. This supreme and noble undertaking—the real source of the peace and well-being of all the world—should be regarded as sacred by all that dwell on earth. All the forces of humanity must be mobilized to ensure the stability and permanence of this Most Great Covenant. In this all-embracing Pact the limits and frontiers of each and every nation should be clearly fixed, the principles underlying the relations of governments towards one another definitely laid down, and all international agreements and obligations ascertained. In like manner, the size of the armaments of every government should be strictly limited, for if the preparations for war and the military forces of any nation should be allowed to increase, they will arouse the suspicion of others. The fundamental principle underlying this solemn Pact should be so fixed that if any government later violate any one of its provisions, all the governments on earth should arise to reduce it to utter submission, nay the human race as a whole should resolve, with every power at its disposal, to destroy that government. Should this greatest of all remedies be applied to the sick body of the world, it will assuredly recover from its ills and will remain eternally safe and secure.”
The holding of this mighty convocation is long overdue.
[October 1985 – To the Peoples of the World www.bahai.org/r/584180280]
The Ask Project https://www.youtube.com/@CoreyGilShusterAskProject “What do Israelis & Palestinians really think? You ask, I get answers Real voices of Israelis & Palestinians No filters. No agendas. The Ask Project.” – Corey Gil-Shuster
Interview with Corey Gil-Shuster. … https://youtu.be/Nw1KIW46yJs?si=Rb3JT0ZiwX_qWD-6 We sat down to discuss what he’s learned about the conflict, what each side really believes, and what outsiders often misunderstand. @CoreyGilShusterAskProject
A Palestinian and an Israeli, Face to Face – Aziz Abu Sarah and Maoz Inon – TED TALK
Social Media
David Knopfler [Facebook 22 September 2026] about the Ed Sheeran controversy, and the challenge of “not taking a side” in political and humanitarian issues.