Socio-Psychological Barriers to Peace Making: The Case of the Israeli Jewish Society

S-CAR Journal Article
Neta Oren
Neta Oren
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Socio-Psychological Barriers to Peace Making: The Case of the Israeli Jewish Society
Authors: Daniel Bar-Tal, Eran Halperin, Neta Oren
Published Date: December 2010
Volume: 4
Issue: 1
Pages: 63-109
ISSN: 1751-2409
URL:
Abstract

The present paper describes the socio-psychological barriers that play a major role in Israeli Jewish society in the attempts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict peacefully. After presenting the general conceptual framework of the socio-psychological barriers, our analysis of Israeli Jewish society focuses on two main aspects: conflict supporting beliefs which provide well-based arguments that feed the continuation of the conflict, and emotions of fear and hatred that fuel it. Despite major changes in Israeli Jewish society through the years, many of these beliefs and emotions have remained dominant and continue to obstruct possible peaceful resolution of the conflict. They inhibit penetration of new information that could aid in facilitating the development of the peace process. The paper presents the obstructing beliefs and emotions in detail, relying mostly on national surveys conducted between 2000 and 2009. Finally it discusses the implications of the presented data and proposes ways to overcome these socio-psychological barriers.  

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