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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Jacob J. Kuntz, MPhil, Reconciliation Studies, University of Dublin, Trinity College, 420 Stephens Ave., Missoula, MT 59801, 406-531-6578, jjkuntz@hotmail.com

This study explored the attitudes and feelings between Israeli Arab and Palestinian youth in regard to perceived cultural and political similarities and differences with the hoped outcome of developing connections between Israeli Arab and Palestinian youth and educational institutions. A shared history, culture, and language make the prospect of good relations between Israeli Arabs and Palestinians plausible despite Israeli Arab citizenship in Israeli society and the protracted physical separation. Because the context of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict precludes participants meeting face-to-face, cross-interactive sessions met independently over a five-week period and were video and audio recorded and presented to the other. Participants were given the opportunity, through the videos, to respond to each other in the altered interaction. An entrance, exit, and control group survey was used to gauge initial feelings/attitudes toward the ‘Other,' as well as to measure any change in feelings/attitudes at the end of the sessions. Session discussions were organized around the major themes of the survey. Results supported the initial observations that Palestinians are most likely to identify with Israeli Arabs than any other Arab group. Results also supported previous research suggesting a plural Israeli Arab identity contingent on its minority status in Israeli society as well as Palestinian ethnicity. These were findings not only supported by the interactions themselves, but by the participants' continuation of the interaction independent of the researcher. The research showed participant's receptivity toward continued contact, as well as exposing the need for further study into relations between the two groups.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Identify the factors of identity which unify Palestinians and Israeli Arabs, as well as those which divide.
• Assess the importance of dialogue between individuals of common cultural heritage in the midst of protracted conflict.
• Apply the concepts of altered mediation to situations where individuals are unable or unwilling to meet face to face.

Keywords: Conflict Resolution, Education

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation