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ABE WON’T BE SILENT - In a world saturated with noise and ideology, it's easy for the most important voices to go unheard — especially those of civilians trapped in places like Gaza. That’s why the work of the Center for Peace Communications is so vital. In a recent episode of Peaced Off, we sat down with two of the organization's leading voices: founder Joseph Braude and senior fellow Ahed Alhendi, both of whom are reshaping how the world hears from the Middle East.
Their mission is both courageous and urgent: amplify the voices of ordinary civilians living under militia rule — particularly under Hamas in Gaza — voices that are too often silenced by both local repression and Western media filters.
A Lifelong Commitment to Dialogue
Joseph Braude brings a rare blend of scholarship, field experience, and linguistic fluency to his work. Educated at Yale and Princeton, fluent in Arabic, Hebrew, and Persian, Braude spent seven years on Moroccan National Radio and even studied in Tehran. He's a seasoned commentator in Arab media and has authored several books exploring the intersection of Arab identity, politics, and reform.
Ahed Alhendi, a Syrian social entrepreneur and economist, has spent his life on the front lines of recovery and innovation. From organizing artistic communities in post-ISIS Syria to pioneering 3D-printed prosthetics for war survivors, Ahed’s work reflects a deep commitment to human dignity. At the Center, he helps shape its outreach and storytelling efforts while remaining a frequent voice in both Arab and Western media.
Beyond the Megaphone
What makes the Center's work so groundbreaking is its challenge to the dominant narratives. As Braude notes, extremes on both ends of the American political spectrum often dehumanize the people of Gaza — either by portraying them all as Hamas sympathizers or denying their innocence altogether.
To push back, the Center began quietly interviewing civilians in Gaza as far back as 2022, well before the events of October 7. These interviews were conducted under strict confidentiality to protect those involved. The result? A powerful archive of animated videos and audio stories that capture the fear, resilience, and quiet resistance of life under militant rule.
Restoring Dignity, One Voice at a Time
What Braude and Alhendi are doing is more than advocacy. It’s a reclamation of narrative — a restoration of humanity to people too often reduced to political talking points. These are voices that oppose extremism not with guns or slogans, but with the courage to speak the truth of their lives.
Their work reminds us that amid the geopolitics, there are real people — mothers, teachers, shopkeepers, students — who long for peace, dignity, and a future beyond fear.
As the conversation around Gaza continues to polarize, the Center for Peace Communications offers a third path: listen to the people themselves.
Here is an interview with Joseph Braude and Ahed Alhendi in Episode 3 of PEACED OFF!
(ABE GURKO is the executive producer of a documentary “LOUDER: The Soundtrack of Change,” about the extraordinary Women of Protest Music streaming on MAX. He's an Opinionator who hosts a podcast, "Won't Be Silent," engaging in conversations from the edge of democracy. Abe is a contributor to CityWatchLA.com. [email protected].)
