Listen to Rawan Osman share her experiences from living in Lebanon and the Middle East and how she changed from an antisemite to an ally through an act of kindness. Understand the anti-normalization restrictions that prevent Arabs from connecting to Israeli Jews and how education can lead the way to peace in the region.
Read more: Lebanon and Israel Today: Prospects for PeaceExploring the Complexities of the Middle East: A Conversation with Ran Asman
In our latest Classical Forum for Contemporary Issues meeting, we had the privilege of hosting Ran Asman, a Lebanese-Syrian advocate for peace, speaker for Sharaka NGO, and founder of Arabs Ask. She shared her remarkable personal journey from growing up in Lebanon with deep-seated anti-Israel narratives to becoming an ally of Israel and an advocate for peace in the region.
Through her experiences, we explored:
✅ The roots of anti-Semitism in the Arab world
✅ The impact of October 7th on regional perspectives
✅ The role of education in fostering tolerance
✅ The potential for peace between Israel, Lebanon, and Syria
One powerful takeaway: “If the Arabs can change their perception of Israel, we can build a future of peace.”
Her insights sparked an eye-opening discussion on the challenges and hopes for the Middle East. Thank you, Ran, for your courage and clarity!
📌 Stay tuned for more discussions & updates on future screenings of the documentary Tragic Awakening, where Ran appears as a key voice.