Israelis and Palestinians: From the Cycle of Violence to the Conversation of Mankind

Jonathan Glover
Hardback, 168 pages
9781509559787

Can Israelis and Palestinians end their long conflict? The shocking violence of current events undermines hope, as does the long history of peace deals sabotaged by extremists on both sides. In this compelling and timely book, the eminent moral philosopher Jonathan Glover argues that one vital step towards progress is to better understand the disturbing psychology of the cycle of violence. Glover explores the psychological flaws that entrap both sides: the urge to respond to wounds or humiliation with backlash; political or religious beliefs held with a rigidity that excludes compromise; and people's identity being shaped by the conflict in ways that make it harder to imagine or even desire alternatives.

Drawing on the history of comparable conflicts that eased over time, Glover proposes some ways to gradually weaken the grip of this psychology. Completed as casualties mounted in the latest political and humanitarian crisis, this work is essential reading for anyone concerned by the ongoing violence in the Middle East.

Contents:

Part One: The Cycle of Violence
1. Disputed Homeland
2. Wounds and Backlash
3. Breaking the Cycle?
4. Joining the Conversation of Mankind

Part Two: Backlash
5. The Psychology of Backlash
6. The Illusions of Backlash
7. Collective Guilt: The Role of Stereotypes

Part Three: Rigid Beliefs and Identity
8. The Role of Rigid Beliefs
9. Belief Systems: Challenge and Response
10. Identity Traps

Also from the same author: Humanity: A Moral History of the Twentieth Century