Understanding The Other Side

I'm working on my book, The Haul Road, about my experiences in the Middle East--focusing on similarities rather than differences. When I started this project years ago, while teaching in Beirut, I traveled and wrote about Lebanon and elsewhere--Syria, Egypt, Jordan, etc. But could never learn about Israel firsthand since no one with a Lebanese stamp in their passport was allowed to enter the country.

Now that I'm here in Israel I'll be continuing to learn more about Judaism, Christianity, and Islam as well as the Palestinian Condition. In order to finish The Haul Road, I'll be talking to  people from different faiths and political backgrounds to understand these cultures firsthand, without the influence of stereotype, prejudice, or media bias.

The story I have to tell in The Haul Road is about understanding, not hate. It's about diverse cultures learning to live on this planet in peace through tolerance and respect. Here's a link to some material I've already written for the book:

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/55ff12ede4b048fe85990f85/t/56feb8fc01dbae882b0d9077/1459534081238/4th+world.pdf

And here's a link to my journal which will include Israeli and Palestinian contributors in the next issue: http://www.hopeaction.org/

You can read some of my recent work on my blog at:

http://www.iverarnegard.com/blog/

I didn't realize quite how much money I'd need for this trip at first. And after a few setbacks I just need a little more funding to reach my goal and insure that I can stay here long enough to finish my notes for The Haul Road. I'm grateful to anyone who can help this important campaign and support my project.

Thanks in advance for your consideration. And for taking the time to read this!

Have a great day!

-Iver