Scholars Urge Ongoing Jewish-Muslim Dialogue

Serious, sustained dialogue is urgent and necessary to address conflicts involving Muslims and Jews worldwide, according to Cornell Law professors.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 12:32am

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A dimly lit, textured interior scene of a university lecture hall with a podium and chairs, bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conceptually representing the serious, thoughtful tone of the Jewish-Muslim dialogue discussion.The solemn, contemplative setting of the Jewish-Muslim dialogue discussion at Cornell Law School reflects the gravity and importance of the ongoing need for open and honest conversation between the two communities.Ithaca Today

Two Cornell Law School professors, Mohamed 'Arafa and Menachem Z. Rosensaft, emphasized the urgent need for serious, sustained dialogue between Jewish and Muslim communities to address the long list of conflicts involving the two groups around the world. They argued that dialogue is necessary now, when emotions are high and misunderstandings are deepened, in order to build understanding and find a path forward.

Why it matters

The professors highlighted the long history of Jewish and Muslim communities coexisting and influencing each other, especially in regions like Spain, the Ottoman Empire, and North Africa. However, current narratives of separation and suspicion have overshadowed this shared past, risking dangerous generalizations. Dialogue is crucial to re-establish mutual understanding and the possibility of coexistence.

The details

The professors demonstrated that dialogue, though difficult, is necessary to address the conflicts involving Muslims and Jews. They argued that dialogue must be honest, allowing for grief and anger, and extend beyond elites to include families, students, and communities. Both Islamic and Jewish legal traditions can provide resources for thinking about pluralism and human rights in the face of conflict.

  • The discussion 'The Urgency of Jewish-Muslim Dialogue' was held on April 14, 2026 at Cornell Law School.

The players

Mohamed 'Arafa

An adjunct professor of law at Cornell Law School who spoke about the urgent need for Jewish-Muslim dialogue.

Menachem Z. Rosensaft

An adjunct professor of law at Cornell Law School who agreed with 'Arafa and shared his own experiences with Jewish-Palestinian dialogue.

Jens David Ohlin

The Allan R. Tessler Dean and professor of law at Cornell Law School, who facilitated the discussion.

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What they’re saying

“Dialogue is necessary "not tomorrow, not when things calm down, but now, precisely because emotions are high, because wounds are open and because misunderstandings are deepened.”

— Mohamed 'Arafa, Adjunct Professor of Law, Cornell Law School

“When we are looking at dialogue today, we need to look at it in a much broader context than just the stereotypes" that reduce the intertwined complexities of Jewish and Muslim history to simplistic, damaging generalizations.”

— Menachem Z. Rosensaft, Adjunct Professor of Law, Cornell Law School

“With dialogue, even imperfect, difficult dialogue, we create the possibility of seeing each other, not as abstractions, but as human beings.”

— Mohamed 'Arafa, Adjunct Professor of Law, Cornell Law School

The takeaway

This discussion highlights the urgent need for ongoing, serious dialogue between Jewish and Muslim communities to address long-standing conflicts. By acknowledging the shared history and humanity of both groups, and drawing on the resources of their respective legal traditions, the professors argue that dialogue can create the possibility of coexistence and justice, even in the face of deep-rooted tensions.