Across the Divide Podcast

Across the Divide

Across the Divide explores the intersection of the faith and social justice in Palestine-Israel. Hosted by Palestinians and Americans, the podcast provides a space for thoughtful and critical conversations with theologians, scholars, and activists about Palestine-Israel through the lens of faith, justice, and peacemaking.

Support our work at https://patreon.com/acrossthedivide

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Yesterday · 45 min
A Palestinian Christian Appeal to the American Church | Munther Isaac
Join us at Church at the Crossroads, November 5-7, in Atlanta, and use coupon code ATD to get $30 off your registration! Sign up here: https://www.churchatthecrossroads.com/atlanta We’d love to have you join our Patreon community! Take part in our monthly book club, signal chat, and get exclusive content only available to subscribers. Join us here: https://www.patreon.com/c/AcrosstheDivide In the lead-up to Church as Crossroads 2026, we’re revisiting some of our favorite conversations from last year. In his 2025 Church at the Crossroads talk, Munther Isaac urges the Western church to move beyond passive sympathy and examine how theological silence can amount to complicity. Ultimately, Munther calls on believers to embody a courageous, justice-centered faith that actively stands with Bethlehem. Follow Across the Divide for more on ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠ Across the Divide is a podcast of the Bethlehem Institute for Peace and Justice. Learn more at BIPJ.org
October 20 · 39 min
What Black History Teaches Us About Palestinian Suffering | Jemar Tisby
Join us at Church at the Crossroads, November 5-7, in Atlanta, and use coupon code ATD to get $30 off your registration! Sign up here: https://www.churchatthecrossroads.com/atlanta We’d love to have you join our Patreon community! Take part in our monthly book club, signal chat, and get exclusive content only available to subscribers. Join us here: https://www.patreon.com/c/AcrosstheDivide In the lead-up to Church as Crossroads 2026, we’re revisiting some of our favorite conversations from last year. In his 2025 Church at the Crossroads talk, Jemar Tisby highlights a long history of Black solidarity with Palestine and urges Christians to practice courageous, relational action. Ultimately, he reminds us that the God who suffers with the oppressed also empowers us to overcome oppression together. Become a monthly supporter of Across the Divide on Patreon at patreon.com/acrossthedivide Follow Across the Divide for more on ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠ Across the Divide is a podcast of the Bethlehem Institute for Peace and Justice. Learn more at BIPJ.org
October 16 · 55 min
Behind the Scenes of the Jubilee Experience
Daniel and Omar unpack their Jubilee experience, revisiting some of the key moments from their interview. Become a monthly supporter of Across the Divide on Patreon at patreon.com/acrossthedivide Follow Across the Divide for more on ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠ Across the Divide is a podcast of the Bethlehem Institute of Peace and Justice. Learn more at BIPJ.org
October 13 · 1 hr 3 min
“The Bible is Anti-Zionist” with Jesse Wheeler | Bookclub Conversation
Join our monthly bookclub discussion based on this episode by joining our Patreon community at https://www.patreon.com/c/AcrosstheDivide In this episode, Jen talks with Jesse Steven Wheeler about his book, “The Bible is Anti-Zionist: 40 Reflections on the Greatest Moral Crisis of our Time.” They reflect on the responsibility that Christians hold to confront biblical interpretations, like those of Zionism, that have been used to do harm and justify violence. You can download a free e-copy of “The Bible is Anti-Zionist” or purchase a physical copy here: https://www.fosna.org/antizionistbible Jesse’s other book is “Serving A Crucified King: Meditations on Faith, Politics, and the Unyielding Pursuit of God's Reign”: https://wipfandstock.com/9781666709582/serving-a-crucified-king/ Check out the “Bad Theology: Busted” podcast here: https://www.badtheologybusted.com/ Become a monthly supporter of Across the Divide on Patreon at patreon.com/acrossthedivide Follow Across the Divide for more on ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠ Across the Divide is a podcast of the Bethlehem Institute of Peace and Justice. Learn more at BIPJ.org
October 6 · 34 min
Is Land Confiscation in the Bible? | Lamma Mansour
Join us at Church at the Crossroads, November 5-7, in Atlanta, and use coupon code ATD to get $30 off your registration! Sign up here: https://www.churchatthecrossroads.com/atlanta We’d love to have you join our Patreon community! Take part in our monthly book club, signal chat, and get exclusive content only available to subscribers. Join us here: https://www.patreon.com/c/AcrosstheDivide In the lead-up to Church as Crossroads 2026, we’re revisiting some of our favorite conversations from last year. In her 2025 Church at the Crossroads talk, Lamma Mansour addresses the subtle ways that we, as believers, can become complicit in systemic injustice and the preservation of empire. Become a monthly supporter of Across the Divide on Patreon at patreon.com/acrossthedivide Follow Across the Divide for more on ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠ Across the Divide is a podcast of the Bethlehem Institute for Peace and Justice. Learn more at BIPJ.org
September 29 · 41 min
Militarism and the Nonviolent Way of Jesus | Preston Sprinkle
Join us at Church at the Crossroads, November 5-7, in Atlanta, and use coupon code ATD to get $30 off your registration! Sign up here: https://www.churchatthecrossroads.com/atlanta We’d love to have you join our Patreon community! Take part in our monthly book club, signal chat, and get exclusive content only available to subscribers. Join us here: https://www.patreon.com/c/AcrosstheDivide In the lead-up to Church as Crossroads 2026, we’re revisiting some of our favorite conversations from last year. In his 2025 Church at the Crossroads talk, Preston Sprinkle makes a biblical case for resisting empire through Christian non-violence. Become a monthly supporter of Across the Divide on Patreon at patreon.com/acrossthedivide Follow Across the Divide for more on ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠ Across the Divide is a podcast of the Bethlehem Institute for Peace and Justice. Learn more at BIPJ.org
September 22 · 1 hr 7 min
A Jewish Settler Becomes a Christian | Daniel Klein
Join us at Church at the Crossroads, November 5-7, in Atlanta, and use coupon code ATD to get $30 off your registration! Sign up here: https://www.churchatthecrossroads.com/atlanta We’d love to have you join our Patreon community! Take part in our monthly book club, signal chat, and get exclusive content only available to subscribers. Join us here: https://www.patreon.com/c/AcrosstheDivide What happens when the system you were raised to defend crumbles under the weight of truth? In this episode, Daniel Klein, a former West Bank settler and IDF tank commander, shares his journey out of Zionism and religious nationalism and how encountering the teachings of Jesus transformed his view of justice and true peace in the Holy Land. Follow Daniel on his Substack: https://dzyk.substack.com/ Follow Across the Divide for more on ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠ Across the Divide is a podcast for the Bethlehem Institute of Peace and Justice. Learn more at BIPJ.org
September 15 · 1 hr 10 min
Genocide in Gaza with an Israeli Holocaust Expert | Amos Golberg
Join us at Church at the Crossroads November 5-7 in Atlanta and use coupon code ATD to get $30 off your registration! Sign up here: https://www.churchatthecrossroads.com/atlanta We’d love to have you join our Patreon community! Take part in our monthly book club, signal chat, and get exclusive content only available to subscribers. Join us here: https://www.patreon.com/c/AcrosstheDivide Daniel interviews Israeli Holocaust and genocide scholar Professor Amos Goldberg and discusses why he publicly characterized Israel's military campaign in Gaza as a genocide. He examines how the destruction of Gaza’s infrastructure, widespread civilian casualties, and official statements demonstrate a pattern of collective destruction and genocidal intent under international law. Follow Across the Divide for more on ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪https://www.instagram.com/acrossthedividepodcast/ ‬⁠⁠⁠ Across the Divide is a project of the Bethlehem Institute of Peace and Justice (BIPJ). Learn more about BIPJ at https://www.bipj.org/
September 8 · 1 hr 1 min
Judaism Does Not Equal Israel | Book Club with Robert O. Smith
Jen speaks with Rev. Robert Smith about Marc Ellis's book Judaism Does Not Equal Israel. Smith, a former student of Ellis, discusses his mentor's legacy as a Jewish liberation theologian and explores the flawed "ecumenical deal" in Jewish-Christian dialogue. The conversation connects Ellis's decades-old prophetic critiques to the current crisis in Palestine-Israel and the responsibility of faith communities to engage critically. Judaism Does Not Equal Israel by Marc Ellis Toward a Jewish Theology of Liberation by Marc Ellis Ellis' Mondoweiss column Articles honoring Marc H. Ellis Join the Across the Divide’s Book Club through our Bronze Patreon level at https://www.patreon.com/AcrosstheDivide Follow Across the Divide for more on ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠ Across the Divide is a podcast of the Bethlehem Institute of Peace and Justice. Learn more at BIPJ.org
August 31 · 1 hr 16 min
Unmasking Liberal Zionism With Ronnie Barkan
Register to attend Church at the Crossroads here! Daniel sits down with Ronnie Barkan, an Israeli conscientious objector and anti-Zionist activist who dissects his journey out of Israeli military indoctrination, arguing that liberal Zionism functions as a dangerous facade that legitimizes state violence. Jewish Anti-Zionist Congress Become a monthly supporter of Across the Divide on Patreon at patreon.com/acrossthedivide Follow Across the Divide for more on ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠ Across the Divide is a podcast of the Bethlehem Institute of Peace and Justice. Learn more at BIPJ.org
August 21 · 46 min
Jewish Solidarity with Palestine with Atalia Omer
Dr. Atalia Omer reflects on her own journey of unlearning false Israeli state mythologies, rejecting all forms of Zionism, and looking toward a future that centers on an authentic Jewish-Palestinian solidarity. Become a monthly supporter of Across the Divide on Patreon at patreon.com/acrossthedivide Follow Across the Divide for more on ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠ Across the Divide is a podcast of the Bethlehem Institute of Peace and Justice. Learn more at BIPJ.org References/links: Purchase Atalia’s book Days of Awe Check out the work of Zochrot , a Jewish-Israeli NGO working to recognize the Nakba and the right to return of Palestinians Article: Women Lead- Atalia Omer Article: I’m an Israeli professor. Why is my work in Harvard’s antisemitism report?
August 10 · 52 min
Does God Still Have a Plan for Israel? Palestinian Bible Scholar Responds
Evangelical apologist Sean McDowell recently hosted Biola professor Dr. Carmen Imes on his podcast to answer the question whether God has a special plan for the secular state of Israel. Tony Deik, Palestinian Bible scholar, responds to comments made in that conversation and critiques Christian Zionist narratives about the land and its peoples. Become a monthly supporter of Across the Divide on Patreon at patreon.com/acrossthedivide Follow Across the Divide for more on ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠ Across the Divide is a podcast of the Bethlehem Institute of Peace and Justice. Learn more at BIPJ.org
August 7 · 45 min
The unique violence experienced by Palestinian Christians
Daniel and Rev. Munther Isaac unpack CNN’s latest reporting on the increasing violence experienced by Palestinian Christians, which features Rev. Munther himself, and respond to more of Mike Huckabee’s ridiculous claims. Become a monthly supporter of Across the Divide on Patreon at patreon.com/acrossthedivide Follow Across the Divide for more on ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠ Across the Divide is a podcast of the Bethlehem Institute of Peace and Justice. Learn more at BIPJ.org
August 4 · 57 min
Reading the Gospel of John through Palestinian Eyes with Rev. Yohanna Katanacho- ATD Book Club
Join our Book club to discuss this book by becoming a Patreonsupporter at https://www.patreon.com/AcrosstheDivide Rev. Yohanna Katanacho joins us to discuss his book,"Reading the Gospel of John through Palestinian Eyes". He unpacks the new world order that Jesus establishes in the Gospel of John and the relationship of these teachings to 1st century Judaism. They discuss the exclusivity of Christian Zionism and what reading John’s gospel through Palestinian eyes must teach us about an inclusive kingdom that replaces hate with love and justice. Rev. Dr. Yohanna Katanacho is a Palestinian Evangelical Christian currently serving as the Academic Dean of Nazareth Evangelical College. He also recently translated the Greek New Testament into Colloquial Galilean Arabic. He is the author of "Reading the Gospel of John through Palestinian Eyes" and "Unlocking the Old Testament: Christ is the Culmination of the Law." Follow Across the Divide for more on ⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠‪https://www.instagram.com/acrossthedividepodcast/
July 30 · 1 hr
An Israeli Zionist Becomes a Palestine Advocate
Hear the story of Ilana Zaken and her journey from Zionismto Palestine Advocacy Become a monthly supporter of Across the Divide on Patreonat / acrossthedivide Follow Across the Divide for more on ⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast⁠⁠⁠ Across the Divide is a project of the Bethlehem Institute ofPeace and Justice (BIPJ). Learn more about BIPJ at BIPJ.org #israel#palestine #gaza #bethlehem #holyland #christianity #bible #faith #zionism #christianzionism
July 22 · 52 min
Debunking CUFI’s Night to Honor Israel
In this episode, Daniel is joined by Pastor Munther Isaac to discuss the CUFI “Night to Honor Israel,” debunk Christian Zionist theologies, and deconstruct Israeli propaganda. This is a timely episode that explores one of the most powerful Christian Zionist organizations and points us toward an inclusive view of biblical justice.
July 14 · 56 min
Being Jewish after Gaza with Peter Beinart
Peter Beinart joins us to discuss how Jewish faith and practices have been used (and abused!) to justify the war on Gaza. Peter Beinart is an American journalist, political commentator, and professor at CUNY. He is an editor-at-large for Jewish Currents, and author of Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza (2025). He frequently publishes his foreign policy analysis and political commentary through his personal newsletter, The Beinart Notebook: https://peterbeinart.substack.com/ Become a monthly supporter of Across the Divide on Patreon here Follow Across the Divide for more on ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠ Across the Divide is a podcast of the Bethlehem Institute of Peace and Justice (BIPJ). Learn more about BIPJ at BIPJ.org.
July 10 · 36 min
Genocide against Christians in the Middle East?
In this episode of Across the Divide, Daniel discusses current events in Palestine and the US. This episode explores the UN Report on violence against children and genocide in Palestine, Israeli expansion in the Middle East, RFK Jr’s lies on Fox News, and Mamdani’s comments on the democratic party and Palestine. You won’t want to miss this! Become a monthly supporter of Across the Divide on Patreon at / acrossthedivide Follow Across the Divide for more on ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠ Across the Divide is a project of the Bethlehem Institute of Peace and Justice (BIPJ). Learn more about BIPJ at BIPJ.org Sign up for the Christ at the Checkpoint conference here: https://www.christatthecheckpoint.bethbc.edu/ #israel #palestine #gaza #bethlehem #holyland #christianity #bible #faith #zionism #christianzionism #Mamdani #RKJR #UN References/Links UN REPORT, published on June 18, 2026. “The essence ofchildhood has been destroyed.” 65 Palestinian students arrested by Israel in occupied WestBank this year: Rights group (Middle East Monitor) UN experts deeply concerned over ‘scholasticide’ in Gaza- 18April 2024 Michel Foucault: Biopolitics and Biopower Israel seized more land from neighbors since 2023 thanit has in decades (AP NEWS) Greek Orthodox Patriarchate denounces Israeli seizureof church land in Jerusalem Mamdani's Interview on ABC JFK on Fox News CBC news piece on UN Report JVP Fact Sheet Pew Research Group- Jewish Population Change Minority Rights Group - Palestine Population Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) No Mention of Gaza in the DNC’s 2024 Autopsy?Seriously?
June 29 · 55 min
The Truth about Antisemitism with Ben Lorber
In this episode, researcher and author Ben Lorber unpacks the complex, deeply polarized conversations surrounding anti-Jewish bigotry today. We break down why politicians conflate anti-Zionism with antisemitism, how to distinguish principled criticism of Israel from genuine hate speech, and whether ADL data gives us an accurate picture of the crisis. Finally, Ben shares a roadmap for building safety through intersectional solidarity, offering crucial advice for activists fighting for Palestinian liberation. Ben Lorber is a Senior Research Analyst at Political Research Associates and the co-author of *Safety Through Solidarity: A Radical Guide for Fighting Antisemitism*. Veteran movement organizer and writer, he specializes in monitoring far-right movements, antisemitism, and white Christian nationalism. See Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism here: https://jerusalemdeclaration.org/ Support our work at Across the Divide: Patreon Follow Across the Divide for more on ⁠Instagram: ⁠ Instagram
June 22 · 1 hr 2 min
The Holocaust and Zionism with Shira Klein
Continuing our conversations on Judaism and Palestine, Shira Klein reflects on the horrors of the holocaust and the role they played in legitimizing the necessity and logic of Zionism. Shira Klein is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of History at Chapman University. Her academic work focuses on Italian Jewry, Jewish migration, and the Holocaust. Shira is also on the board of directors of Academics for Peace, a nonprofit that works with scholars to help shift public opinion about Palestine Israel Support our work at Across the Divide: Patreon Follow Across the Divide for more on ⁠Instagram: Instagram

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