Lay Psychology of Trust/Distrust and Beyond in the Context of an Intractable Conflict: The Case of Israeli Jews

Abstract

Trust and distrust affect the nature relations on the interpersonal as well as on intragroup and intergroup levels. The chapter explores the functioning of trust and distrust in situations of conflict and especially in the intergroup conflict between Israeli Jews and Palestinians, which is perceived as a prototypical intractable conflict. The functioning is explored by interviewing as Jewish Israeli lay people involved in Israeli–Palestinian intractable conflict. The interviewees were asked about their views of trust and distrust in general and then asked to apply these views to the analysis of Jewish–Palestinian relations. The results showed that the majority of participants are distrustful of Palestinians. This distrust is perceived as predominantly due to the Palestinians violence toward human lives, not recognizing the State of Israel, not complying with accords, and an attitude of hate toward Israeli Jews, actions of the Palestinian leadership and negative attitudes espoused by Israeli Jews toward them. An attitude of trust toward Palestinians was associated with a humanistic view of Palestinians or as resulting from positive actions by the Palestinian people (compliance with accords). The majority of participants believe that Palestinians do not trust Israeli Jews. Palestinian distrust is perceived as stemming mostly from Israel’s harmful actions toward them (the Occupation and physical harm). A variety of conditions that can enable or promote trust in Palestinians was identified, predominantly refraining from hurting Israeli Jews, neutralizing the Hamas administration and fulfilling conditions that can enable negotiations (flexibility in demands, and recognition of the State of Israel). On the other hand, a number of suggestions were made in order to promote greater trust by Palestinians toward Israeli Jews. Many involved refraining from hurting Palestinians, releasing prisoners, ending the Occupation and allowing the founding of a Palestinian State, halting development of settlements, and treating Palestinians more humanely. On the basis of the data received from the interviews we propose a conceptual framework for understanding trust and distrust in situations of intractable conflict. Finally, we present a few ideas regarding the possibility of changing distrust to trust, in order to advance peacemaking processes.