Abstract

This paper looks at psycho-social/identity issues of two sub-groups thwarting the peace process in the Israel/Palestine peace process. It focuses a small sample of persons from Bethlehem and Jerusalem and is based on the prior research of Glenn Fisher and Herbert Kelman and took place during the author’s six-month period living, working and studying in the West Bank and Jerusalem from July 2007 to January 7, 2008. The research is done through formal interview and numerous informal conversations that took place on both sides of the conflict’s divide. In particular, it researches identity-based hindrances within each society’s subgroups: Christian and Muslim Palestinians and Secular and Orthodox Israelis. It also looks at other subjective factors held by each side’s population that are not open to negotiation and are therefore limiting decision maker’s ability to make the necessary overtures toward a lasting peace.

Disciplines

Peace and Conflict Studies | Psychology

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