A few days ago, Giulia Bordin, PCI Advocacy Officer, and Mattia Tosato, PCI International Representative at UNOG, had the pleasure of reconnecting with Dr Izzeldin Abuelaish to discuss future steps in promoting his powerful thesis that hatred should be considered a contagious disease, a concept he explored in a co-authored article published by The Conversation. 

In the article, Dr Abuelaish and his colleagues argue that hatred functions much like an infectious illness: it spreads from person to person, can be fuelled by misinformation and fear, and poses a significant threat to social cohesion and public health. They call for a multidisciplinary, global response to counter the spread of hatred, including education, policy reform, and cross-cultural dialogue. 

Dr Abuelaish is a Palestinian physician and internationally respected peace advocate, widely known for his commitment to nonviolence and reconciliation. He is the founder of the Daughters for Life Foundation, established in memory of his daughters Bessan, Mayar, and Aya, who were tragically killed by an Israeli tank shell in 2009. His response to their loss, a call not for revenge, but for peace and understanding, moved hearts around the world. The foundation honours their love of life and learning by providing scholarships and educational opportunities to young women from across the Middle East, empowering them to become leaders and agents of change in their communities. Dr Abuelaish also shares his deeply personal journey in his memoir I Shall Not Hate, where he reflects on his loss and the power of forgiveness, resilience, and hope. 

During his visit, we also had the opportunity to meet with Fr Manuel Barros and Marek Misak, respectively Secretary General and Policy Adviser on EU External Affairs at the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE). The meaningful conversation was grounded in our shared commitment to human dignity, peace, and the essential interconnection between faiths. We discussed how interreligious dialogue and cooperation can serve as powerful tools in countering hatred and fostering understanding across communities.