A cross-cultural friendship

Dick Soble, 80, is Jewish and supports a two-state solution. Anan Ameri, 79, is a Palestinian and wants one state with equal rights, which critics say would spell the end for a Jewish homeland.

He condemns the Oct. 7 Hamas attack. She says it was to be expected. Though she doesn’t want civilians killed, “violence,” she says, “breeds violence.” 

But these two are not enemies. They’re best friends, and have been close for more than 50 years. Their relationship represents an increasingly rare example of open inquiry and expression. Their discussion is probing, thoughtful, uncensored. On the big stuff, they tend to agree. Where they don’t, they listen, and even have come to appreciate one another’s views.

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