Tracking for peace: Assessing the effectiveness of Track Two Diplomacy in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict

Abstract

Track Two Diplomacy is an alternative, informal and often discreet conflict resolution methodology used alongside mechanisms of formal diplomacy. Despite the numerous Track Two Diplomacy meetings, their effectiveness and impact on the political reality have been rarely examined. The current study attempts to address these questions by exploring the thoughts, feelings and experiences of Israeli–Jewish participants in Israeli–Palestinian Track Two Diplomacy. The study delineates the obstacles that limit the potential of Track Two Diplomacy activities to significantly influence the political reality of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. The findings lead to practical recommendations which may assist in overcoming these obstacles.

Keywords::

• Track Two Diplomacy
• intractable conflict
• intergroup contact
• Israeli–Palestinian conflict
• conflict resolution