The aim of this study was to explore among a sample of Jewish Americans the prevalence of beliefs associated with intractable conflict and to test the role of different beliefs in predicting individuals’ support for a compromise solution to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. We found that the Jewish Americans we sampled tended to agree with a sense of collective victimhood and the Jewish Israeli narrative on the conflict. On the other hand they tended to disagree with the Palestinian narrative on the conflict and with statements that dehumanized the Palestinians and on average did not frame the conflict in terms of a zero-sum game. Jewish Americans in our sample tended to fall in the middle in terms of their endorsement of compromise …show more content…
It also appears that when controlling for variance explained by demographic variables and attachment to Israel, education level emerges as a predictor for rejection of peaceful solutions. Individuals who are more educated were more likely to refuse concessions to the Palestinians. This finding can per- haps be explained by the influence of millions of dollars invested in engaging Jewish college students with Israeli culture and the Israeli view of the conflict; thus spending more time informal education leads to more refusal to compromise with the Palestinians (Beinart, 2010, 2012). The central focus of this study was the question of which belief suggested by theorists best predicts individuals’ support for or rejection of peaceful solutions to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. Our findings are in line with previous research from Israel that suggests that dehumanization and a zero-sum view on the conflict serve an important role in predicting individuals’ support for the perpetuation of conflict (Halperin et al., 2008; Halperin & Bar-Tal, 2011; Hammack et al., 2011; Maoz & Eidelson, 2007; Maoz & McCauley, 2005, 2008). Importantly, our study contributes an additional novel predictor to the current literature based on our operationalization of a monolithic narrative on the conflict. The monolithic narrative variable, which is based on the level of acceptance of the Jewish narrative on the conflict (i.e., “we intend to live in peace but we must continually defend
The simple objective of Morris’s book is to argue that Arab rejectionism is so deeply entrenched in the psyche of Arabs, that only the most ignorant and unrealistic of minds could believe that Palestinians would ever concede to a state consisting merely of the Gaza and the West Bank. According to Morris, this is partly due to the mutual exclusivity in the mindsets and value systems of the Israeli Jewish society and that of the Palestinian Muslim Society. However, instead of placing blame for the rejectionist sentiment on both Jews and Muslims alike, Morris appears to pin the blame mostly on the latter’s ability to compromise. He says, “The idea of sharing Palestine either through a division of the country into two states, one Jewish, the Other Arab, or through a unitary binational entity, based on political party between the two communities is alien to the Muslim Arab mindset” (Morris, 2009, 188).
This Israeli-Palestinian conflict stems from both groups dissension over land, by the Jews and by the Palestinians, who seek self-determination.Various acts done by the Israelis have resulted in a lack of trust amongst themselves and the Palestinians. This lack negatively affects the prospects of a peaceful settlement.
Due to the 80% of citizens reporting a Jewish faith, it is clear to say that Judaism has had a large role in handling conflicts. In the Torah, it is repeatedly shown through figures like Moses, that the most effective means of conflict resolution is through peace and mutual gain(Sacks). However, Israel shouldn’t back down on its morals. The steadfast attitude shown in both Israel and Palestine has clearly made mutualism harder to achieve, delaying the problem(Countries and Their Cultures). Finally, I was curious to know “ How have Israelis viewed the seemingly eternal conflict?”. Though most people have conflicting views on the complex issue, the general agreement between both Palestinians and Israelis is that the conflict is degrative towards both parties. Itamar Rabinovich - president of the Israeli Institute, former Ambassador to the United States, and former chief negotiator. - was quoted by the New York Times saying “Both Israelis and Palestinians pay dearly for the impasse. Keeping the settlement project in the West Bank saps Israel’s resources, compromises its international legitimacy and injects negative norms into Israel proper”. This is clear to many people, with the most pragmatic solution proposed being a two-state system. This would entail Jerusalem serving as a dual capital and Paste revoicing much of the west back as
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has proven to be one of the most complex and “intractable” conflicts of modern history – or as some may even add – of all time. And after many decades of failed attempts at peacemaking in this region, there still seems to be no conceivable end to the conflict. During those same decades, most of the parties involved as well as the international community have embraced the idea of a two-state solution, but the question we pose today asks whether this solution is still a viable option considering the present context, and if not, is it finally time to consider a one-state solution? This essay will argue that although a two-state solution remains the more
Any reference to conflict turns history into a reservoir of blame. In the presence of conflict, narratives differ and multiply to delegitimize the opponent and to justify one’s own action. Narratives shape social knowledge. The Israeli Palestinian conflict, both Jews and Muslims, view the importance of holding the territories through religious, ideological, and security lenses, based on belief that Palestine was given by divine providence and that the land belongs to either the Israelis or Palestinian’s ancestral home. Understanding these perspectives is required for understanding Palestinians’ and especially Israel’s strategy and role in entering the Oslo peace process. Despite
The Arab-Israeli Conflict The Arab Israeli conflict has gone on for many years. There have been many wars, terrorist attacks and peace treaties between Israel and the Arab countries. Through war and Treaties Israel has gained and lost alot of land. There have been 4 major wars between Israel and The Arab countries, as well as terrorist attacks.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict was started when the United Nations proposed the partition plan for Jewish homeland in 1947. The Jewish agrees with the plan but the Palestinians disagree because they think it is unfair for their land being taken. Since then, many wars have been fought between Israel and Palestinians such as:
After more than 50 years of war, terrorism, peace negotiation and human suffering, Israel and Palestine remain as far from a peaceful settlement as ever. The entire Middle Eastern region remains a cauldron waiting to reach the boiling point, a potent mixture of religious extremism, (Jewish, Christian and Islamic), mixed with oil and munitions.
This essay will focus on how theorists of peace and conflict have analysed the conflict in recent history. Especially, the peace process after the first Palestinian intifada and the 1993 Oslo-agreements will be analysed. In addition, this essay will shed light on the involvement of the United States in the
According to Jews in Israel the biggest long-term problem that their country is facing is that they were more likely to cite economic concerns (such as Israel’s high cost of living, or a shortage of affordable housing in Tel Aviv and other cities) as they were to mention military or national security issues (such as terror attacks or Iran’s nuclear program). This belief that Israel’s biggest problem is the economy is a belief between Jews in Israel, however American Jews have a completely different perspective into Israel’s long term problem. When American Jews were asked what the long term problem, fully two-thirds cited a military or security issue, and hardly any (1%) mentioned economic difficulties. What this shows is a separation in how American Jews and Israeli Jews view the government, or American Jews do not know the struggle that the Jews are facing in Israel. Another problem that American and Israel Jews disagree on is the range of political issues concerning the State of Israel and the peace process. While Israeli Jews are skeptical that Israel and an independent Palestinian state can peacefully coexist, most American Jews are optimistic that a two-state solution is possible. These two different perspectives is something that is eroding and segregating the Jewish people, it is two different societies that each one reside in and it makes it very difficult
Since the early 20th Century, Israelis and Palestinians have been fighting over the land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea. With the assumption that Palestine is a state to facilitate discussion, this report sketches out the most significant elements of the conflict on the three levels defined by Kenneth Waltz, and applies the Realist theory of international relations (IR) to the “Two-State” solution.
Ethnic conflicts are well rooted in the world's history and perhaps inherent in human nature. This type of conflict is difficult to resolve as is evident in the situation in the Middle East. The ethnic conflict theory explains that it is not territory, politics, or economics that prevents the achievement of peace between the Israeli and Palestinian peoples, instead, it is a deep-seated hatred of one another that neither group can overcome. The Camp David Summit in July 2000, the most recent attempt at fostering a lasting peace is a clear example of how ethnocentrism can prevents success.
The conflict between Israel and Palestine is just one of the many facets that have shaped modern day politics in the Middle East. It is a conflict rooted in generations of violence, discrimination and prejudice that is complicated by a history older than any of the modern day superpowers. Ever since the creation of the state of Israel by the 1947 UN partition of Palestine
Bob Hawke once said; “Unless and until something concrete is done about addressing the Israeli-Palestinian issue you won't get a real start on the war against terrorism.” Perhaps Hawke put into a few simple words one of the most complicated issues within our world today, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As Israel continues to strip the Palestinians of their land and fears it’s very existence because of the Palestinians terrorist acts, there seems to be no solution in sight. The world appears to be split and all over the place when it comes to this matter. According to The Middle East Institute for Understanding approximately 129 countries recognize Palestine as a state while many others do not. Over all the political matters within this issue not only affect Palestine and Israel but the world as a whole, as the Middle East and the West seem to disagree. This has had and will continue to have an enormous impact on many political affairs all over the world particularly in the current fight against terrorism. Personally I feel that the Israeli Palestinian conflict while being a very complicated matter has a simple solution. Within this issue I am a firm believer that the occupation of the West Bank by Israeli forces is extremely unjust and must come to an end. Once this is achieved a two state solution will be the most effective way to bring peace to the area. The occupation of the West Bank violates political and legal rights, human rights, and illegally forces Palestinians
I grew up in a world with little insight into the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. I knew that it was an issue emblazoned in thousands of years of history and that, for the most part, each side blamed the other side for the conflict. However, rom what I did know prior to the panel, I had been unable to view the conflict in the Middle East from either a pro-Israel or a pro-Palestine light—both groups have committed atrocities, and both groups have been the targets of said atrocities.