Bridging divides: psychological pathways to peace in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a decades-long struggle marked by repeated cycles of violence and failed peace attempts, remains one of the world's most intractable disputes. Despite the efforts of international mediators and the involvement of various third parties, achieving a lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians seems as elusive today as it did 75 years ago. However, recent research into the psychological underpinnings of human conflict offers new insights and potential pathways to peace that go beyond traditional geopolitical strategies.

Understanding the psychological dimensions

The conflict's persistence can be attributed not only to geopolitical factors—such as power struggles, foreign interests, and economic motives—but also to deep-seated psychological dynamics. These include parochial altruism, sacred values, collective trauma, and competitive victimhood. Each of these factors plays a significant role in perpetuating the cycle of violence and complicating peace efforts.

Parochial altruism and the tendency to view conflicts in a binary "us versus them" framework lead to extreme in-group favouritism and out-group hostility. This dynamic is further complicated by sacred values, deeply held moral beliefs that are non-negotiable and often linked to identity and existential meaning. The landscape of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is scattered with such values, particularly concerning land and historical grievances.

Moreover, collective traumas and the phenomenon of competitive victimhood entrench narratives of suffering and injustice, making reconciliation and compromise even more challenging. These psychological barriers create a context in which material concessions and traditional negotiation tactics are often insufficient and can even exacerbate tensions.

Pathways to resolution

Research suggests that addressing these psychological barriers requires a nuanced approach that prioritizes social-emotional needs and symbolic gestures. Key strategies include:

1. Symbolic concessions: Symbolic gestures, such as mutual apologies or recognition of the other side's historical grievances, can have a powerful impact on reducing hostility. Studies have shown that when parties make symbolic concessions, it can lead to decreased anger and opposition to peace deals among those holding sacred values. Such gestures validate the other side's experiences and humanize them, laying the groundwork for more substantive negotiations.
2. Acknowledging traumas: Mutual recognition of each other's traumas can significantly reduce competitive victimhood and foster a climate of empathy and understanding. Experimental research indicates that when Israelis and Palestinians are made aware of the other side's acknowledgement of their collective traumas, their willingness to acknowledge the other's suffering increases, leading to greater openness to compromise on contentious issues. This approach underscores the importance of addressing past wounds as a stepping stone towards building a shared future.

A call to action for the peacebuilding community

The peacebuilding community plays a crucial role in amplifying these insights and advocating for their implementation. By fostering dialogues that centre on psychological healing, mutual acknowledgement, and symbolic concessions, peacebuilders can help shift the narrative from one of intractable conflict to one of possible reconciliation.

As members of this community, we are called upon to support initiatives that emphasize the human dimensions of the conflict and to advocate for peace processes that integrate these psychological pathways. Whether through educational campaigns, dialogue facilitation, or policy advocacy, our efforts can contribute to creating a conducive environment for peace.

In conclusion, while the Israeli-Palestinian conflict presents complex challenges, the integration of psychological insights into peacebuilding efforts offers new hope. By recognizing and addressing the deep-seated emotional and psychological barriers to peace, we can pave the way for more effective and lasting solutions. Let us commit to promoting these pathways to peace, grounded in empathy, understanding, and mutual respect, as we work towards a future where both Israelis and Palestinians can coexist in dignity and security.

Source: Psychology explains why the Israeli–Palestinian conflict is so intractable, Opinion by Nafees Hamid, Published January 16, 2024, on CNN