Religion the Missing Dimension of Arab-Israeli Peacebuilding

Abstract: Although generally perceived as a purely political/territorial conflict this paper argues that the Arab-Israeli conflict (including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict) is fundamentally rooted in religion and culture. . This is as conflicting narratives are the foundational element of the conflict which are religiously based and form the basis of connection to the same land (Israel/Palestine) which both sides claim. Therefore it asserts that a religious/cultural elements must be called upon as tools for conflict, resolution, dialogue and peacebuilding. Rich empirical evidence collected over 30 years of practical and research work points to the efficacy of the interreligious/intercultural approach for peacebuilding which in many ways is superior to the secular political approach, and in fact can influence positive perception change among religious subjects on both sides. Finally it seeks to position this theme in the context of the search for new paradigms for peacebuilding in the wake of the deadly Gaza War.

Keywords: Dialogue Interreligious Peacebuilding Empirical