Dialogue, Conflict Resolution, and Change: Arab-Jewish Encounters in Israel(SUNY series in Israeli Studies)

This is the first study to introduce the subject of Arab-Jewish relations and encounters in Israel from both conflict resolution and educational perspectives. Through a critical examination of Arab and Jewish encounter programs in Israel, the book reviews conflict resolution and intergroup theories and processes which are utilized in dealing with ethnic conflicts and offers a detailed presentation of intervention models applied by various encounter programs to promote dialogue, education for peace, and democracy between Arabs and Jews in Israel. The author investigates how encounter designs and processes can become part of a control system used by the dominant governmental majority's institutes to maintain the status quo and reinforce political taboos. Also discussed are the different conflict perceptions held by Arabs and Jews, the relationship between those perceptions, and both sides' expectations of the encounters. Abu-Nimer explores the impact of the political context (Intifada, Gulf War, and peace process) on the intervention design and process of those encounter groups, and contains a list of recommendations and guidelines to consider when designing and conducting encounters between ethnic groups. He reveals and explains why the Arab and Jewish encounter participants and leaders have different criteria of their encounter's success and failure. The study is also applicable to dialogue and coexistence programs and conflict resolution initiatives in other ethnically divided societies, such as South Africa, Northern Ireland, Bosnia, and Sri Lanka, where the minority and majority have struggled to find peaceful ways to coexist.

Table of Contents:
List of Figures List of Tables Acknowledgments Introduction List of Abbreviations Chapter 1. Intergroup Relations Approach Contact Hypothesis Theory Intervention Models Based on the Contact Hypothesis and Intergroup Relations Theories Contact Hypothesis Intervention: Shortcomings and Alternatives Chapter 2. Conflict Resolution Principles In Intergroup Conflicts: An Alternative Approach To Contact Hypothesis The Emergence of Conflict Resolution Conflict Resolution: Definitions and Theory Basic Assumptions and Principles of Conflict Resolution Conflict Resolution: Intervention Models and Processes Select Models of Conflict Resolution Critique of Conflict Resolution Models Conflict Resolution Responses to Critiques Chapter 3. Arab-Jewish Conflict In Israel: Historical, Social, And Political Background Context of Arab-Jewish Relations in Israel Arab-Jewish Relations on the Micro Level: Images and Perceptions Special Characteristics of the Arab Educational System in Israel Chapter 4. The Arab-Jewish Coexistence Programs Development of the Coexistence Programs Arab-Jewish Coexistence Programs Arab-Jewish Coexistence Programs Research on Arab-Jewish Encounters: Limitations and Needs Chapter 5. Methodological Considerations And The Arab-Jewish Programs The Six Case Study Organizations: Basic Features Chapter 6. The Encounter Programs' Designs: Components Of The Intervention ModelsParticipants Assumptions Goals Structure Content Process Third-Party Role Arab-Jewish Encounters: Is There a Generic Model Chapter 7. Perceptions Of The Arab-Jewish Conflict In Israel Intervenors' Conflict Perceptions Intervention Models and Perceptions of Arab-Jewish Conflict Chapter 8. Perception Of Success And Impacts Of The Encounter Models What Is Success? Measures and Criteria of Success Actual Success Examples of Success Participants' Perceptions of Outputs and Impacts Perception of Success: The Need for Systematic Measurement Chapter 9. Impacts Of The Political Context On The Encounter Models Major Changes in the Encounter Programs Since the Mid-1980s Impacts of the Peace Process Impacts of the Intifada on Intervention Models Impacts of the Gulf War on the Encounter Programs Impacts of Soviet Jewish Immigration on Encounter Programs Encounter Models and Context: Avoidance, Confusion, and Slow Adjustment Chapter 10. Arab-Jewish Encounter Programs: Political Change Or Control? Limitations of the Arab-Jewish Encounter Field Limitations in the AJP Designs Do the Examined Intervention Models Contribute to Control or Change Processes Arab-Jewish Encounter Programs and Educational Conflict Resolution Models Conflict Resolution Approach in Arab-Jewish Encounter Major Recommendations Appendixes 1. Participants and the Intifada's Impacts 2. Participants and the Gulf War's Impacts 3. Examples of Success in Arab-Jewish Intervention Notes Bibliography Index

About the Author :
Mohammed Abu-Nimer is Assistant Professor at the International Peace and Conflict Resolution Program at the School of International Services at American University.

Review :
"In his in-depth examination of intervention models in Israel, Abu-Nimer provides a fresh insight into the important role of dialogue in conflict resolution. This comprehensive study will not only serve as a useful guide for future Arab-Israeli dialogues, but also a framework for other citizen diplomacy programs in areas of conflict around the world." - John W. McDonald, Ambassador, and Chairman and co-founder of the Institute for Multi-Track Diplomacy "Abu-Nimer critically examines an important aspect of the efforts to improve Jewish and Palestinian relations in Israel. Based on first hand experience and systematic analyses, he explores the pervasive limitations of programs bringing Palestinian and Jewish youth together for controlled educational encounters and dialogue. He locates the groups within a general socio-political context and he gives attention to the diversity of responses of students and staff regarding their experiences in these groups." - Louis Kriesberg, Syracuse University