Abstract
ABSTRACT The various narratives of a conflict play a central role in its development. Not only are they a reflection of the collective memory of the various parties in conflict, but also a functional element in its dynamics. In the case of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, data show that each side’s main narratives are fairly stable over time, and they possess significant magnitudes – over two thirds of their publics, in both cases. This article analyses the use of narratives in the dynamics of the conflict, which affects both the cognitive and emotional dimensions of the public’s worldview on both sides. We draw ten main functions of collective narratives in the conflict. We discuss that, although a transformation of narratives in the conflict is required for its resolution, both groups will face resistance associated with the functionality of the narratives during this process.
Highlights
Conflict resolution theorists argue that it is possible to transcend conflicts if parties can be helped to explore, analyse, question and reframe their positions and interests (e.g. Galtung, 1969, 1990; Lynch and McGoldrick, 2010)
Non-tangible factors are mainly related to conflicting collective narratives, which are strongly connected to specific attitudes and feelings towards the territory, the in-group and the out-group
Collective narratives can be seen as intervening variables among a series of other factors that create the conditions for a conflict to emerge and to perpetuate
Summary
Conflict resolution theorists argue that it is possible to transcend conflicts if parties can be helped to explore, analyse, question and reframe their positions and interests (e.g. Galtung, 1969, 1990; Lynch and McGoldrick, 2010). We have identified the main collective narratives among the Jewish public and the Palestinians in Israel, as well as among Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank from survey data collected by these centres These collective narratives are connected to the dominant Weltanschauungen and Weltgefühle in each group. Its questions are better suited to evaluating the “perceptions of others” and to contrasting the two main meta-narrative and the specific narratives around the conflict This Index does not offer comparative data between Israeli Jews and Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza. Survey data show two contradictory and incompatible narratives about historical events: the majority of Jews and Palestinians in Israel think that the other side holds most of the blame for the conflict and for the war of 1948 or the Nakba – over two thirds in both sides (Table 1). Conflicting narratives are deeply rooted in the different public opinion groups: they are fairly stable over time (Tables 1-2), and they possess significant magnitudes – over two thirds, in both cases (Tables 1-4)
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