International Series - Bekend maakt Bemind

Though this is the second episode of our international series, Amsterdam was actually the very first stop on this trip. At the Joods Museum, we sat down with city council members Sheher Khan (DENK) and Itay Garmy (Volt) — two leaders whose politics and identities often place them on opposite sides: Sheher, a Muslim and pro-Palestinian voice; Itay, a Jewish Israeli representative.

And yet, in the wake of October 7th, they came together to propose a new kind of politics — one rooted in dialogue. Their joint initiative, “Bekend maakt Bemind” (“To Be Known is To Be Loved”), had been introduced earlier that year in May. Just three days after October 7, 2023, it was unanimously adopted by the Amsterdam City Council. The proposal has since been embedded in the city’s anti-discrimination strategy, with tangible actions already underway — including public dialogues at City Hall and the mayor’s residence, and programs across Amsterdam schools.

In this episode, Sheher and Itay speak candidly about polarization, pain, and the quiet courage required to choose dialogue over division — and what a Third Narrative might look like when lived out through local leadership.

📅 Coming up on August 3rd: Tier 3 & 4 Patreon members are invited to an exclusive live call with Dana Rentenaar (25), a Palestinian-Dutch political scientist and peace activist and one of the key people behind organizing this event. Don’t miss the chance to connect directly and hear more from behind the scenes!

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Disclaimer: This episode was recorded on April 9th, 2025. The facts presented in this episode reflect what was known at the time, but new information may have since come to light. Similarly, the opinions expressed by the hosts were shaped by our perspectives at the time of recording and may have evolved as events unfolded. Please note that engagement with our guests does not imply endorsement, and the views expressed by our guests do not necessarily represent our beliefs, either on or off our platform. What has not changed is our commitment to a just and united future, because we all deserve better.