An Eye for an Eye – The Role of Reciprocity in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Abstract

This paper adds a cultural-psychological, norm-based component to the study of intractable conflicts by examining the norm of reciprocity within and between Israelis and Arab-Palestinians. Balancing receiving and taking, reciprocity refers to an individuals' in-kind or immaterial response to friendly (positive reciprocity) or hostile acts (negative reciprocity) with no material gains expected by the actor. This study is based on the assumptions of the social identity theory, whereby people tend to classify themselves and others into social categories and groups that determine the way how they interact with each other based on their perceived group status. Following a unique multi-method approach combining online experiments with surveys of Israeli and Palestinian citizens for a period of one year, results show high levels of positive reciprocity in both societies: yet this reciprocity is limited to members of the in-group, while the out-group is discriminated or punished by non-cooperation. It illustrates once again how deeply anchored the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is. Still, the study also reveals that positive reciprocity can function as a supportive normative norm fostering the success of intergroup contact. Combined with high levels of trust this can increase communication and cooperation which is highly desirable in peace-making processes.