Preface

Amidst the tragedies and anguish of the Arab-Israeli conflict, there is also a fair share of irony. This usually takes the form of policies or actions or perceptions by one side that focus on one issue or are directed at a certain goal but which—unintentionally—serve a very different purpose.

An intriguing example is in the growing academic field of narratives. Israelis and Palestinians justify their actions and words in terms of advancing the goal of peace. However, the actions of the two sides and the failure of repeated diplomatic attempts to resolve the conflict clearly are driving the two sides farther apart. The political and psychological chasm between them is widening and deepening continuously. Possibilities that seemed to exist just a decade ago now seem remote. Breakthroughs that offered tremendous promise are now discredited. And yet, as this special issue Shared Narratives—A Palestinian-Israeli Dialogue demonstrates so lucidly, the ways that each side sees itself—that is, the narratives that the two sides have developed to justify their stances and positions—are becoming increasingly parallel as our understanding of history unfolds. Rather than narratives becoming yet another obstacle to overcome, narratives are fast becoming a possible bridge to mutual understanding. Indeed, for both sides, looking at each other is fast becoming the same as looking in the mirror.

This special issue, an important complement to the earlier to Shared Histories¹, amply illustrates this phenomenon. Both sides claim and religiously adhere to the same historical values and narratives:

• • Both sides promote the justice of their respective positions and the absence of justice of the positions of the other side.

• • Both sides have critical security needs.

• • Both sides assign serious value to the issue of patriotism and attachment to the political community.

• • Both sides are attached to the (same) land.

• • Both sides attach high value to national unity (even if that is an elusive goal in both communities).

• • Both sides hold a positive self-view of their own group, warranted or not.

• • Both sides have experienced victimhood.

• • Both sides demand acknowledgment of their respective narrative.

• • Both sides increasingly define the conflict as existential nationalism.

So, the parties act in ways that drive them further apart, and they negotiate in ways that deepen the core issues under consideration, even as their explanations of what drives and motivates them narrow to the point of reflecting mirror images of themselves. The intellectual absurdity of this paradox cries out for a reasoned bridge of understanding.

In this respect, Shared Narratives will contribute to our appreciation of the problem, and it will surely yield dividends in our understanding of what drives Israelis and Palestinians. It is with great hope that this volume will impact the understanding of policymakers, as they try to develop strategies and tactics that advance their own interests while not negating the interests of the other side.

The search for peace need not result in a zero-sum outcome, in which one side wins and the other loses. A positive sum result is achievable, wherein both sides achieve enough—but not all—of their requirements as to make the outcome acceptable. By understanding their shared narratives and shared histories, Israelis and Palestinians can move closer to the peace that both seek and require.