SOCIETAL BELIEFS IN TIMES OF INTRACTABLE CONFLICT - THE ISRAELI CASE

Intractable conflicts are characterized as protracted irreconcilable, violent, of zero-sum nature, total, and central. They are demanding, s tressful, exhausting, and costly both in human and material terms. Soc ieties involved in this type of conflict develop appropriate psycholog ical conditions which enable than to cope successfully with the confli ctual situation. The present paper proposes the following societal bel iefs which are conducive to the development of these psychological con ditions: beliefs about the justness of one's own goals, beliefs about security, beliefs of delegitimizing the opponent, beliefs of positive self-image, beliefs about patriotism, beliefs about unity and beliefs about peace. These beliefs constitute a kind of ideology which support s the continuation of the conflict. The paper analyzes as an example o ne such intractable conflict, namely the one between Israel and Arabs, concentrating on the Israeli society. Specifically, it demonstrates t he reflection of the discussed societal beliefs in the Israeli school textbooks. Finally, implications of the presented framework for peacef ul conflict resolution are discussed.