Coexist Quote by Izzeldin Abuelaish
““The thing is, you cannot ask people to coexist by having one side bow their heads and rely on a solution that is only good for the other side. What you can do is stop blaming each other and engage in dialogue with one person at a time. Everyone knows that violence begets violence and breeds more hatred. We need to find our way together. I feel I cannot rely on the various spokespersons who claim they act on my behalf. Invariably they have some agenda that doesn't work for me. Instead, I talk to my patients, to my neighbors and colleagues--Jews, Arabs--and I find out they feel as I do: we are more similar than we are different, and we are all fed up with the violence.””
About This Quote
The speaker argues that imposing a unilateral compromise is ineffective; instead, personal dialogue and mutual understanding are needed to break cycles of violence and shared grievances.
In simple terms: Promote individual conversations over imposed solutions.
Key Takeaway
Dialogue reduces hostility.
Themes
conflict resolution
empathy
community building
political polarization
grassroots activism
Mood
hopeful
determined
reflective
Type
political
social
motivational
When to use this quote
- talking with patients
- conversing with neighbors
- engaging colleagues
- interfaith discussions
Key Concepts
personal agency
trust
shared humanity
violence cycle
Practical Applications
- mediating local disputes
- facilitating community workshops
Questions to Reflect On
- How can personal dialogue influence broader policy?
- What obstacles hinder individuals from initiating such conversations?
A Different Perspective
Some may argue that systemic change requires collective action, not just one‑on‑one talks.
