Document Type

Honors Thesis

Publication Date

5-2016

Abstract

In the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, social norms, media pressures and government policies promote division and fear of the other. This constructed understanding of the other often prohibits relationship and harvests fears that lead to perpetuated violence and injustice in the region. However, two organizations, the Abrahamic Reunion and the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, exist to combat the hatred and violence by promoting understanding across conflict divides. These two groups design spaces where individuals on opposing sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can foster relationships and develop more complete understandings of the other that contradict the polarized stereotypes promoted by their government and media. Using Martin Buber’s theory of I-Thou and Judith Butler’s theory of Performativity, it is clear that what these two groups accomplish is distinct and has lasting, positive impacts on the individuals affected by their work.

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