An Arab Woman's Journey from Antisemitism to Zionism with Rawan Osman

Lebanon's education system and media present Israelis and Jews as the enemy of Lebanon. The depictions, often extreme in their hostility, shape the perceptions of many Lebanese and also Syrians. Raised in this environment, Rawan Osman accepted the message. Only on moving to Europe and gaining access to new, uncensored information did she question her own biases. In the end, she embraced Israel’s cause and became an activist who championed peace and human rights across borders. What lessons does her personal odyssey offer? Can Arabic speakers emerge from their Judeophobic blight? If so, how?
Rawan Osman is the founder of Arabs Ask, a platform aimed at fostering dialogue and understanding between Arabs and Israeli Jews. A dual Syrian-Lebanese citizen fluent in Arabic, English, French, and German, she has worked with the Center for Peace Communications. She writes a blog for The Times of Israel, is working on a book on Israel and Israelis, and is studying for a BA in Jewish and Islamic Studies at the University of Heidelberg, Germany.
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