Rachel Eryn Kalish: When is Violence Necessary?

Rachel Eryn Kalish is a peacemaker. Personally, she radiates harmony. Professionally, she has devoted decades to non-violence and was mediating conflict before the term conflict resolution existed. Yet, today, she doesn't view non-violence as the one and only approach to global conflict. Sometimes, she has learned, force is necessary to save lives and reduce suffering. The massacre of Israelis by Hamas on October 7 is one example. We all know the saying that violence begets violence. But are there situations in which non-violence begets violence? This is the story of how Rachel Eryn began asking this question and listening deeply for answers. **Key takeaways** 5:30 Facilitating conflict resolution and violence prevention in the workplace 9:30 Teaching dialogue skills to mixed groups of Israelis and Palestinians amidst the suicide bombings of the Second Intifada 14:15 Helping the deeply divided Bay Area Jewish community talk constructively about Israel 19:00 The civil war in Sierra Leone prompts Rachel Eryn to reconsider her view of non-violence 25:00 The savagery of October 7 and the need to get rid of Hamas's infrastructure 31:30 Amiel's reflections: what type of humans commit barbaric violence, and what types of response can constrain them? **Resources** Workplace Connections, Rachel Eryn's consulting firm Amiel's essays on Medium about Israel/Gaza (and other big messes) **Share the love** Leave me a rating or review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. **Subscribe to the podcast** To hear the origin stories of more big ideas, subscribe to How My View Grew on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.