Arab activist Loay Alshareef promotes peace and mutual respect

Peace and Dialogue in the Middle East

Arab activist Loay Alshareef said peace in the Middle East requires sustained dialogue, education about one another, interfaith initiatives, and efforts to counter hatred and radicalization. During a visit to South Africa, he said he hopes Arab peace activists will increasingly shape the region’s public narrative and promote mutual respect between Israelis and Palestinians.

Alshareef acknowledged that building bridges is difficult amid ongoing hostilities, but said it is worth pursuing. He described a future in which Israel and Arab countries cooperate and compete in fields such as space exploration and artificial intelligence rather than in war.

Gaza and the War

Asked whether Gaza is experiencing genocide, Alshareef called the situation terrible and the war ugly, but said he did not consider it genocide. He argued that Israel’s evacuation warnings were inconsistent with an intent to wipe out a population. He also acknowledged that serious mistakes had occurred during the war and condemned a recent incident in which people were killed on camera.

Alshareef said the war could end if Hamas released all hostages and laid down its arms, which he believes would help Palestinians live in dignity alongside Israel.

Presenters and Contributors

• Kylie Kumala — SABC News interviewer
• Loay Alshareef — Arab activist and interviewee