Katie - "As long as I'm not questioning the power structures, I'm going to be serving them"
Jan 21, 2024
auto_awesome
Entrepreneur Katie discusses her journey from academia to activism, grappling with identity, beliefs, and moral dilemmas. She reflects on her Jewish heritage, military service, and deep connection to Israel, emphasizing the complexities of power dynamics, conflict resolution, and the pursuit of a just society.
Questioning power structures is essential to avoiding unwitting service to them.
Academic exploration in unique governance structures leads to nuanced critique and understanding.
Dismantling systems perpetuating conflict requires transcending tribalism for collective peace and harmony.
Deep dives
Questioning the Narrative: A Personal Journey
The podcast explores Yahav's personal journey of questioning the Zionist narrative he was brought up with. Growing up as an Israeli Jew, he delves into the process of challenging the beliefs instilled in him about the land and its people. Through heartfelt conversations with activists supporting the Palestinian struggle, Yahav learns about diverse paths leading to disillusionment with the narratives they were taught.
Challenges to Identity and Belonging
Katie, who grew up in a Zionist family in New York, shares her journey of spiritual and religious exploration that led her to a deeper connection with Judaism and Israel. Her experiences studying Arabic and joining Seeds of Peace triggered a paradigm shift as she grappled with conflicting narratives and the complexities of her identity, eventually questioning the paradigms of Zionism and Israel.
Military Service and Paradigm Shift
The podcast delves into Katie's military service in a drones unit during a conflict in Gaza, leading to a profound paradigm shift. Her firsthand experiences of the realities of war and the ethical dilemmas involved in drone operations challenged her previous beliefs. Witnessing the impact of violence and oppression on both sides of the conflict prompted Katie to question power structures and the narratives shaping her worldview.
Exploration of Critical Thinking and Activism
Katie's academic journey into Middle East studies and critical discourse in the Gulf countries highlights the importance of nuanced critique that challenges established power dynamics. By exploring intellectual spaces beyond dissident narratives, Katie uncovers a realm of critical thinking rooted in local contexts and traditions. Her research underscores the need for diverse forms of critique and understanding in complex socio-political landscapes.
Challenging Zionism and Normalization in the Gulf
The speaker explores the complexities of Zionism and safety concerning the Jewish community without relying on Zionism. Delving into the normalization between the Gulf and Israel, the speaker navigates their involvement in the Abrahamic Accords and the impact on the Palestinian struggle. Acknowledging the limitations of the two-state solution, the speaker reflects on the necessity of a democratic approach between the river and the sea, highlighting the need for real justice in the land.
Navigating Dual Realities and Collective Peace
Living between two conflicting realities, the speaker shares personal challenges of witnessing worsening situations in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the UAE-Israel relation. Sidestepping the dichotomy of 'us versus them', the speaker emphasizes the power dynamics and the importance of dismantling systems that perpetuate conflict. Encouraging a shift towards a collective understanding of peace and belonging, the speaker advocates for transcending tribalism without forsaking cultural identities for a more inclusive path toward harmony.
Katie is an entrepreneur in the sustainability and agricultural sectors, and an expert in the Gulf countries' society and economy. Her background is in academia, research, venture capital, and unique governance structures. She has spent years being active in different initiatives promoting justice for Palestinians here in the land and in other parts of the Middle East.
I created and funded this podcast privately. I don’t belong to any organization, nor does it represent anyone other than myself.
Secondly, I don’t intend this content to provide a justification or excuse for the actions people interviewed did in their past, but rather to learn from their personal experiences and gain insight as to what the process of transformation looks like. Certain parts of the episode could be triggering for you, and I advise taking into consideration that some of the events discussed are morally and ethically challenging (to say the least).
.
And lastly:
I acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which I work as the indigenous people of this country, and pay my respects to their elders, past and emerging.
****
Thank you Roy Geva for the soundtrack
.
You can contact me at @yehavit on Instagram (or write to yehavit@gmail if you’re not on Instagram).
