How did Martin Buber's views on Arab-Jewish relations shape his legacy in Jerusalem?

Martin Buber’s legacy in Jerusalem was significantly shaped by his consistent, often unpopular advocacy for peace and cooperation between Jews and Arabs. Throughout his life, Buber maintained a stance that set him apart from many of his contemporaries and official state policies in Israel.12

His commitment to these ideals was rooted in his I–Thou philosophy, which emphasized the necessity of genuine, dialogical encounters between human beings. In the pages of his influential monthly, Der Jude, he advocated for the formation of a binational state in Palestine, a position that remained a central, albeit controversial, aspect of his political identity.13

Even after emigrating to Jerusalem and serving as a professor at the Hebrew University, Buber continued to challenge prevailing nationalist sentiments, emphasizing the need for a humane approach to coexistence. His dedication to this cause was profoundly recognized at his funeral, where a delegation from the Arab Students’ Organization laid a wreath on his grave, honoring him as a man who strove for peace between the two peoples.124