Rescuing Dialogue between Jews and Arabs in the Course of Escalating Conflict: What Students Can Tell Us About Living in Protracted Conflict Environment?

28 Pages Posted: 20 May 2005

See all articles by Helena Syna Desivilya

Helena Syna Desivilya

Max Stern Academic College of Emek Yezreel - Sociology and Anthropology

Khawla Abu-Bakkar

Emek Yezreel College

Date Written: June 1, 2005

Abstract

The current article provides an account and analysis of a two year project designed to create a framework for Jewish and Arab students (citizens of Israel) on academic campus, aimed at rescuing dialogue in spite of an escalating course of the protracted Israeli-Palestinian conflict. A learning community was established, addressing issues of joint concern for both groups of students, while confronting and introspecting the about the participants multiple social identity, mutual images and contextual influences, namely the growing polarization between Jews and Arabs due to the escalation in Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The projects were designed as experiential workshops co-facilitated by Jewish and Arab trained and experienced women in the domain of co-existence. Operational and conceptual lessons drawn from both projects are presented and some future directions are delineated.

Keywords: Conflict escalation, inter-group dialogue, social identity

Suggested Citation

Syna Desivilya, Helena and Abu-Bakkar, Khawla, Rescuing Dialogue between Jews and Arabs in the Course of Escalating Conflict: What Students Can Tell Us About Living in Protracted Conflict Environment? (June 1, 2005). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=726262 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.726262

Helena Syna Desivilya (Contact Author)

Max Stern Academic College of Emek Yezreel - Sociology and Anthropology ( email )

Yezreel 19300
Israel

Khawla Abu-Bakkar

Emek Yezreel College ( email )

Yezreel 19300
Israel

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