Jill Gabbe, co-founder and executive producer of CITIZENARTS, introduces Israeli Voices: Who We Are, an eight-episode podcast of on-the-ground conversations across a spectrum of Israeli life. Perspectives emerge shaped by personal identity, history, and experience — revealing the humanity of a people striving to live freely with dignity and mutual respect in peace.

Considering the roots of the provocative slogan “From the River to the Sea” – and sensitivities about how Jews and Palestinians in Israel identify themselves and each other.

A small town famed for the first Aliyah – the first arrival of Jews in Palestine from Eastern Europe. And in a tree-shaded corner of the local cemetery a chilling interlude where early Jewish settlers rest beside Israeli soldiers killed in battles past and present.

Mount Carmel – where the Prophet Elijah brought fire on pagan worshipers, and Technion – Israel’s MIT – drives Israel’s technology chutzpah, and there are panoramic views of the Mediterranean port city of Haifa, noted for relatively harmonious coexistence of Jews and Palestinians.

At the Technion, a tech student dreams of his role in Israel’s self-proclaimed “start-up nation.”

In Haifa, Rasool – lawyer, grassroots activist – considers what it means to be Palestinian in a Jewish state in conflict with Muslims. How Palestinians and Jews can move past historic enmities, stereotypes, prejudice, discrimination to build meaningful connections.

Families picnicking, playing, munching cookies and quiche at an outdoor café in the Judean hills. Carefree, joyful expressions in Hebrew and English. A seeming impossible scenario – especially for foreigners who think of Israel as mostly tempests. Looking closer, one notices the dads wearing holstered pistols frolicking with kids. Reminders of ever-present danger.

A few miles away, a serene community built around a vineyard. A lunch celebrating the end of Shabbat hosted by Nissim, an entrepreneur who discourses about Israel as a meritocracy of opportunity regardless of race or background. Where capitalism flourishes in a socialist system. But also where taxes and other mounting costs of daily life are magnified by war and costs of social welfare for the Haredim – Israel’s fast-growing ultra-orthodox Jewish community. And where parents worry and are challenged about guiding children through social media distractions and looming, life-altering commitments to military service.

Further along, Tel Aviv’s economic prowess, Mediterranean beachy, café vibe, incoming missile terrors, Hostage Square remembrance of the damaged and lost. And Noa, a groundbreaking, politically correct journalist, sharing family stories of racial inequity and of feminist influences on Israeli journalism, police brutality, gender harmony.