In this conversation, Daniel chats with Julie Schumacher Cohen about Catholic peacemaking work in Palestine-Israel. Julie shares about her Israeli Jewish family and the impact that visiting Palestine has had on her identity and faith.  She also discusses how her Catholic faith influences the way she advocates for peace and justice through her work at Churches for Middle East Peace. See also our previous conversation with Jordan Denari Duffner, who co-authored an important article with Julie on Catholic Social Teaching in relation to Palestine-Israel.

In their extended conversation for our Patreon supporters, Daniel and Julie discuss President Biden's commitment to Zionism. To access this extended conversation and others, consider⁠ ⁠supporting us on Patreon⁠⁠.

Julie Schumacher Cohen is a member of the Catholic Advisory Council of Churches for Middle East Peace, having previously served as its deputy director. Julie is also assistant vice president for community engagement and government affairs at the University of Scranton, a Jesuit and Catholic university, where she chairs its community-based learning board, leads its political dialogue initiative, and collaborates with local partners on economic justice, refugee solidarity, and other civic engagement projects.

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Article on Catholic Social Teaching co-authored with Jordan Denari Duffner:

https://www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/2024/06/20/catholic-social-teaching-israel-palestine-conflict-248191

Article by Julie about Biden’s lack of empathy towards the Palestinians:

https://www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/2024/01/25/biden-empathy-palestinians-israel-hamas-247021

Article by Julie about  Fr. Ignacio Ellacuría and the role of Jesuit higher ed in this time of great turmoil in Gaza and Israel-Palestine:

https://conversationsmagazine.org/gaza-and-israel-palestine-the-role-of-jesuit-higher-education-in-a-time-of-turmoil-810e1ab89001