Background:

Israel and the Palestinian territories have been involved in a protracted dispute since the creation of the state of Israel in 1948. Initially involving surrounding Arab nations, the current conflict is essentially between the government of Israel and various fundamental Palestinian factions (such as Hamas), some with links to Iran and Syria. The dispute is essentially over the same piece of land in the Middle East. A two-state solution is often referred to as the best way forward, but the two parties, the government of Israel and the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (the current administration in the West Bank), are at odds over a final agreement, including claims to East Jerusalem; Jewish settler communities in the West Bank; and the status of Palestinian refugees. The conflict has seen high levels of violence from both sides including suicide bombers and the indiscriminate killing of civilians.

 

Excerpt From the 2008 Residential Report (for full report click here) :
The Palestinian participants noted that history will not stop on a stage: that until the principle of two states, one land, is accepted – and the struggle for equal rights is won – that no accommodation will endure.

Web links

Holocaust Museum (Yad Vashem) - The Jewish people’s memorial to the murdered Six Million during WWII: it symbolizes the ongoing confrontation with the rupture engendered by the Holocaust.
www.yadvashem.org

Parents Circle - Families Forum: This organisation unites Israeli and Palestinian families who have lost their loved ones through the ongoing conflict.
www.theparentscircle.com

Musalaha - An organisation comprising of Palestinian and Israeli congregational leaders that works to promote reconciliation in the Middle East.
www.musalaha.org

Palestine Israel Education Project - This US-based Palestinian groups works in partnership with organisations in Palestine and held a workshop on digital storytelling recording the personal narratives of Palestinian youth.
www.thinkpep.net

Excerpt From the 2008 Residential Report:
‘The Israelis are not politically mature enough to accept shared land. However, we remain optimistic about the future, not only for our own people but also for the Israelis.’

Article links

Excerpt From the 2008 Residential Report:
The Arab-Israelis said that there is a lack of resources for those Arabs living in the ‘Jewish state’. They noted that there is no Good Friday Agreement and was a need to deal with the present before any meaningful discussions could take place on the past.

Oxford Journal - This article presents a model for dealing with the past. It explores the potential applicability of transitional justice ideas to the Israeli–Palestinian context.

http://ijtj.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/1/2/249

Abu Jihad Political Prisoners Museum - Article about a museum built to commemorate Palestinian political prisoners held in Israeli jails.
www.fromoccupiedpalestine.org/node/1740

PRIME - Peace Research Institute in the Middle East - An article about establishing a localized process for a truth and reconciliation commission in Israel and Palestine; arguing that addressing the issues of refugees from both sides of the conflict is integral to the peace process.
www.vispo.com/PRIME/truthandreconciliation.htm

Excerpt From the 2008 Residential Report:
‘The separation wall between Palestine-Israel is evidence of the structural inhibitors to better relations. We face occupation on a daily basis, with humiliating checkpoints.’

Books
Healing Israel/Palestine: A Path to Peace & Reconciliation
by Michael Lerner

Rabbi Lerner is a liberal Jew who seeks to be evenhanded in his treatment of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. His narrative portrays a pro-Israeli stance without being anti-Palestinian. In his words: ‘The first step in the process of healing is to tell the story of how we got where we are in a way that avoids demonization.’ He acknowledges the rights and wrongs on both sides of the conflict when relating the history of Zionism and the State of Israel; and has tangible suggestions on the way forward to achieving peace.