Summary
Overview
Jonathan Zeigen, a peace activist from Kibbutz Be'eri whose mother was killed on October 7th, discusses his journey from political disengagement to running for the Israeli Knesset. He explains his vision for a radical new political party called 'A Place for Us All' - a joint Arab-Jewish movement seeking to end the occupation, establish equality, and pursue peace through a two-state federation. Zeigen argues that Israeli society can change quickly when offered alternative frameworks by leadership, drawing parallels to historical shifts in German and Israeli-Egyptian relations.
The Power of Leadership to Transform Society
Zeigen opens with a powerful thesis: societies can change rapidly when leadership offers new frameworks and discourse. He argues that Israeli militarism and perpetual war reflect the language spoken by current government, not an unchangeable national character. This sets the stage for his argument that political change from the top down is essential, not just grassroots activism.
- When leadership changes the discourse and what's offered to people, societies react very quickly
- Israeli militarism and atrocities reflect the government's language, not inherent national character
- Change requires both civil society work and top-down government transformation
" When leadership changes the discourse, when they change what is being offered to the people, the people react very quickly. "
" So what we see in terms of militarism, in terms of the perpetual war, and the atrocities that we are doing in the West Bank and in Gaza, and everywhere in the region, that is a language. That is the language that the Israeli government is speaking and they know only that language. "
From Kibbutz Be'eri to Political Awakening
Zeigen introduces himself as someone originally from Kibbutz Be'eri in the Gaza envelope, raised by peace activist mother Vivian Silver. He traces his political evolution from youthful activism through a decade of disengagement he calls his 'political coma,' to his reawakening after October 7th. His refusal to serve in the IDF, despite societal pressure and potential jail time, shaped his early identity.
- Zeigen was raised in a politically aware home by prominent peace activist mother Vivian Silver
- He refused mandatory military service despite peer pressure and being shunned by his community
- By 2014, he felt helpless and entered a 'political coma,' focusing on family instead of activism
- He believed in the fantasy that Israelis could live with the occupation without paying prices
" I refused to serve in the IDF. It's rare, yes. I mean, it's mandatory and you can be put in jail if you don't do it. But also the peer pressure, the societal pressure is very, very heavy. I was shunned for a period of time in my own community for not going into the army. "
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