Building bridges doesn’t require agreement

This Sunday, The Narrow Bridge, a documentary about bereaved Israelis and Palestinians who have transformed their grief into a commitment to peacebuilding, will screen at the Victorian Interfaith Festival in Melbourne.

The screening will be followed by a workshop exploring how we can build understanding across religious, cultural and political divides – something that feels increasingly urgent in our polarised world.

Meanwhile, events unfolding in Israel are raising a remarkably similar question, with profound consequences for the country’s future.

Following Israel’s recent election, Gadi Eisenkot has been tasked with forming a government. His Jewish-led political bloc holds 48 seats, while Arab-led parties hold a record 19.

Together, these parties hold enough seats for a parliamentary majority, although forming a governing coalition would require overcoming significant political differences Arab parties have also indicated a willingness to support a change of government from outside the coalition.