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Abstract
This introductory article describes peace-making, peace-building and peace-keeping according to the specific characterization of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. It presents the different articles in this special issue according to these categories and discusses critically their main theses. This methodology intends to help us gain a better understanding of the challenge of change.
Acknowledgements
This collected volume is dedicated to my wife, Yael, and my two daughters, Avia and Mia.
Notes
1. For a further discussion on the nature of complex phenomenon, see Hayek, ‘Studies in Philosophy’, 22–42. See also Handelman, ‘Conflict and Peacemaking in Israel–Palestine’, 15–25.
2. For example, the South African President P.W. Botha, who came to power in 1978, initiated major liberal reforms in the Apartheid system. The good intentions to establish a more liberal country led to dangerous instability and order was restored by military force. Unfortunately, as Huntington noted, ‘Botha the reformer was widely viewed as having become Botha the repressor.’ See Huntington, ‘How Countries Democratize’, 596–597.
3. Cf. Galtung, ‘Peace, War and Defense’.
4. Cf. Kelman, ‘Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation’.
5. See Snow, ‘Cases in International Relations’, 100–111.
6. Cf. Popper, ‘Models, Instruments and Truth’.
7. Fisher, ‘The Potential for Peacebuilding’, 249 claims that ‘Peacemaking is a conflict resolution approach … practiced by a variety of third parties’. In our approach, negotiating processes should not necessary be led by third parties. Representatives of the opposing factions can lead certain negotiating engagements and help bypassing major obstacles – such as cultural gaps – in a way that a ‘neutral’ third party – such as officials from the US in the Israeli–Palestinian case – cannot do. For a further discussion, see Handelman, ‘Peacemaking Contractualism’, 15.
8. Cf. Fisher, ‘The Potential for Peacebuilding’, 249.
9. Cf. Handelman, ‘Peacemaking Contractualism’, 9–10. Some scholars associate peace-building with the construction of an adequate framework (rules and institutions) for peace and stability. However, as mentioned in a United Nations report: ‘History has taught us that peacekeepers and peacebuilders are inseparable partners in complex operations.’ See Lakhdar, Brahimi. ‘Report of the Panel on United Nations Operations,’ United Nations document A/55/305 – S/200/809, 21 (August 2000): 5.
10. Cf. Ratner, ‘The New UN Peacekeeping’, 21; James, ‘Peacekeeping in International Politics’, 9.
11. Human needs theorists, such as John Burton and Herbert Kelman, argue that an effective negotiating interaction involves a problem-solving facilitator that helps political elites reach an agreement that addresses the fears and needs of the opposing parties. See, for example, Kelman, ‘Negotiation as Interactive Problem Solving’, 100.
12. Cf. Ionescu and Gellner, ‘Populism’.
13. See, for example, Friedrich, ‘Revolution’, 3–9.
14. Cf. Handelman and Pearson, ‘Peacemaking in Intractable Conflict’, 11.
15. For a brief presentation of the major controversy in Peace & Conflict Studies, see, for example, Banks, ‘The Evolution of International Relations Theory’; Fisher, ‘Interactive Conflict Resolution’; Kelman, ‘Reflections on the History and Status of Peace Research’.
16. Handelman, ‘Peacemaking Contractualism’, 19, points out that he did not find a historical example where a major public negotiating congress with political power grew out of grassroots’ initiatives.
17. For example, there is no sequence of land between Gaza and the West Bank; the complexity of the Jerusalem issue requires special arrangement; Palestinian citizens of Israel are relatives of the Palestinians in the territories. For a further discussion, see Handelman, ‘Conflict and Peacemaking in Israel–Palestine’.
18. Cf. Handelman, ‘Peacemaking Contractualism’, 18.
19. For a further discussion on the Minds of Peace Experiment, in general, and different sessions, that took place in different locations, in particular, see, for example, Handelman, ‘People-to-People Diplomacy’.
20. Here is a trailer describing the event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vw_ccIAZDBk
21. Cf. Handelman, ‘Conflict and Peacemaking’, 49–61.
22. See, for example, Wantchekon, ‘The Paradox of “Warlord” Democracy’.
23. Snow, ‘Cases in International Relations’, 100.
24. Ibid., 101.
25. Cf. Popper, ‘All Life is Problem Solving’, who claims that the motion of our social life is a constant movement from one problem to another.
26. Snow, ‘Cases in International Relations’, 102–103.
27. Elazar, ‘Two Peoples One Land’, 6.
28. Handelman, ‘Peacemaking Contratualism’, 9–10.
29. Cf. Huntington, ‘Political Order in Changing Societies’, who claims that the lack of socio-political foundations for order and stability played a major role in the collapse of developing societies in North America immediately after they got independence. See, also, Handelman, ‘Conflict and Peacemaking’, 61–81.
30. A ‘failed state’ is a term used to describe a failure of the central government to maintain law and order and meet the basic needs of the population. Inbar, ‘Israel’s Palestinian Challenge’, claims that the Palestinian Authority, under Arafat’s control, met the criteria for a failed state. Following the Israeli unilateral disengagement from the Gaza strip, the dysfunction of the Palestinian Authority led to a civil war between Hamas and Fatah and a political division between Gaza and the West Bank.
31. Cf. Bronfenbrenner, ‘The Mirror Image’.
32. For example, Kelman, ‘Negotiation as Interactive Problem Solving’, 99, describes ‘the ultimate goal of negotiation as transformation of the relationship between the parties, which requires an agreement that addresses the fundamental needs and fears of both parties on a basis of reciprocity’.
33. Cf. Courtney et al. ‘Problems and Prospects for Democratic Settlements’, 277.
34. Sisk, ‘South Africa’s National Peace Accord’, 60–66.
35. For a comprehensive account of the South African case, see Sparks, ‘Tomorrow Is Another Country’. For a comprehensive account of the Northern Ireland case, see Mitchell, ‘Making Peace’.
36. See Handelman, ‘Conflict and Peacemaking’, 42.
37. Handelman, ‘Conflict and Peacemaking’, develops this idea and suggests four interactive models for change.