Occupation, Faith & Forgiveness - Life as a Palestinian Christian

In today’s episode of the Peacemakers Podcast, we’re honored to share the voice of Elias D’eis, a Palestinian Christian from Bethlehem and a leader with the Holy Land Trust.

Elias grew up during the First Intifada—surrounded by military patrols, fear, and the weight of inherited trauma. As a child, he opened his Bible and read, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem”, even as his father was being arrested. Like many Palestinians, he struggled with the seeming contradiction between his faith and the reality of occupation.

This conversation is raw and vulnerable. It invites us beyond blame. Beyond “sides.” It asks: What does it mean to be human in a landscape that so often forgets?

We hope you’ll take time to listen—slowly, openly, without rushing toward answers. As always, we thank you for being part of this community.

We invite you to support this work. Become a paying subscriber to the Peacemakers Podcast or join the Zen Peacemakers community as a member.

Show Credits:

* Speaker: Elias D’eis

* Recording Date: December 19, 2024

* Hosts: Geoff Shoun O’Keeffe, Jim Hōden Fricker

* Audio & Video Editing/Engineering: Jim Hōden Fricker

* Event Coordinators: Clotilde Wright, Geoff Shoun O'Keeffe

* Original Video: HERE

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit voice.zenpeacemakers.org/subscribe