Running head: ROLE OF RELIGIOUS GROUPS IN SOLVING CONFLICTS 1

Role of Religious groups and Organizations in Solving Conflict and Peace Building in Israel-

Palestine Conflict

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: ROLE OF RELIGIOUS GROUPS IN SOLVING CONFLICTS 2

Role of Religious groups and Organizations in Solving Conflict and Peace Building in Israel-

Palestine Conflict

In a globe where violent conflicts have resulted in major death and destruction, peace

building and conflict resolution efforts remain as the most widely tools in solving the conflicts.

Most of the world conflicts are politically or religiously engineered. Mediation and problem

solving of conflicts is often informed on the underlying assumptions as well as values that beg to

bring the divergent groups into a general consensus of ending the conflict. Political conflicts, just

like religious conflicts bear the same consequences, that is destruction and death. Religious

conflicts have been recorded as having occurred the most in world history as compared to

political or other forms of conflicts. Despite religious conflicts being occasioned in the globe,

religious groups, faith based organizations and other agencies have played a vital role towards

ending the religious conflicts. This paper centers on the role religious groups have played in

relation to the Israel-Palestine conflict. The outcomes and contributions of the religious groups in

ending the Israel-Palestine conflict as well as the future prospects of the religious groups ending

the conflict are discussed in this paper.

In order to understand the contributions of the religious groups as well as other faith

based organizations contributions and efforts in ending the Israel-Palestine conflict, it is

important to understand the background and genesis of this conflict. The continued conflict

between Israel and Palestine nations is widely identified as being a nationalist struggle1. Both

sides of the divide have been seen as concerned about the issues of security, self-determination,

sovereignty as well as the refusal of building the state based on the Jews Halakhic laws or the

Islamic Sharia. The roots of the Israel-Palestine conflict are noted to have risen due to ethno-

political differences which emerged during the latter part of 19th century. Since both nations, that
1
Michael Walzer, “War and Peace in Jevrish Tradition,” 2007.
: ROLE OF RELIGIOUS GROUPS IN SOLVING CONFLICTS 3

is Palestine and Israel have inalienable and legitimate rights, that are rooted on the history and

experiences of both sets of people, it has been argued out that the state-centric as well as the

nationalist identity which both nations have been striving to attain as being the root cause. The

international system is also observed as part of the cause since both nations want to be a part of

it. Although the national dominance about the national identity as being the causation and

motivator of the conflict, religion and other religious aspirations are also observed to have played

a more critical role in widening the conflict. In fact, religion is observed to have worsened the

conflict because the conflict metamorphosed from a nationalistic perspective into one that has

been relegalized.

Various scholars have pointed out that the Israel-Palestine conflict is one which fits into

the model of secular conflicts, that is, conflicts that are fought over national issues instead of

theocratic claims, and in the process of doing so, the conflict has been overtime turned into a

religious conflict. Hence, the injection and introduction of religion into the conflict, can be

observed as the reason why the conflict propagated due to an emergence of groups from either

sides which rejected to compromise on the assumption of religious reasonin2g. The end result of

this can be observed that the violence on either sides has been intensifying due to religion

holding an upper hand in inflating the conflict. Be that as it may, the role of religion in this

conflict, is one which is colored on various dimensions. Religion has for a time pacified the

conflict, and there are periods where religion has served in escalating the very conflict.

The challenge has always been religion and the other sets of religious organizations

remaining standstill in ending existing or new conflicts that arise in society, religious conflicts

also included. It should be understood that there is no pure religious conflict, rather, it is the

2
Yvonne Margaretha Wang, “How Can Religion Contribute to Peace in the Holy Land?,” 2011,
https://www.duo.uio.no/bitstream/handle/10852/37783/dravhandling-wang.pdf?sequence=1.
: ROLE OF RELIGIOUS GROUPS IN SOLVING CONFLICTS 4

disintegration or integrating pressures that determine the dynamics of a conflict. To this end,

various religious groups and other faith based organizations have played a critical role in

ameliorating the Israel-Palestine conflict. Since political actors and policies have systematically

failed in ending the conflict, religion has had its share in ending the quagmire. Religion is rightly

noted as touching people in a more emotional way than the way politics does. Religion often

creates a tensed atmosphere admixture with both the political and religious perspectives. Hence,

the Israel-Palestine conflict is observed as a special case since the Muslim and Jewish claims

over the Temple Mount form the most explosive combination ever3. The institution of Council of

Religious Institutions of the Holy Land, which is a religious outfit aiming at bringing the

political and religious sets on the divide into the table and develop constructive and long lasting

peaceful treaties for both sides. This council consists of Christian, Jewish and Muslim leaders

from the Holy Land and have dedicated themselves towards preventing religion as being used as

the source of the conflict. This group formulated goals and aims which were to guide in the

direction of finding a comprehensive peace treaty as well as bring about reconciliation on both

sides.

The Council of Religious Institutions of the Holy Land has for a long period of time

addressed the differences that exist between Palestine and Israel through using dialogue. The

goal has been striving to drive the message of respect for leaders from both sides in embracing

an approach that will ensure the conflict cones to an end. Another that the group has attempted to

achieve is through monitoring media for instances of insulting representation of any religion and

address it or other issues that may be highlighted by the media. Since the media has been

3
Jacob Bercovitch and S Ayse Kadayifci-Orellana, “Religion and Mediation: Th e Role of Faith-Based Actors in
International Confl Ict Resolution,” International Negotiation 14 (2009): 175–204,
https://doi.org/10.1163/157180609X406562.
: ROLE OF RELIGIOUS GROUPS IN SOLVING CONFLICTS 5

observed in playing a critical role in escalating the conflict, the group ensured that media houses

in the region are held responsible for any vitriolic messages that may be spread by them.

The other approach that is being used by The Council of Religious Institutions of the

Holy Land, is through an educational path. This involves the group working together with

various educators as well as academics. Through using this pathway, education as a means

ensures that the message of peaceful co-existence and harmony between Israel and Palestine is

achieved. This is because, education as a platform offers a larger audience within the population

of Palestine and Israel, hence the message o mutual cooperation and respect is one that is

expected to reach many. Since narratives are known to strongly define the attitudes as well as

views of individuals towards particular events, the groups using of educators and academicians

positively contributes immensely due to education being known to serve as an identity shape

among the masses4. Hence, whatever efforts that are being undertaken in emphasizing the need

for reconciliation between Israel and Palestine, more so the religious narrative, it should be one

that is channeled to the minds of the people through a sound education. The power to change the

dynamics of this conflict and whatever conflict in the globe, lies on its capabilities of tapping

into education that takes places in schools, universities, colleges and even in synagogues,

churches and mosques. The media should also not be left behind in this regard in acting as a

distributor of the information

Since religion is governed by religious leaders, the Israel-Palestine conflict has employed

religious leaders as acting as the agents of change in transforming the narrative and conflict

besieging these two nations. This is because the religious leaders are known to possess the

authority of interpreting the scriptures. The messages that are passed by the religious leaders are

4
Sara Silvestri and Mayall James, “THE ROLE OF RELIGION IN CONFLICT AND PEACE- BUILDING,” 2015,
https://www.britac.ac.uk/sites/default/files/Role-of-religion-in-conflict-peacebuilding_0.pdf.
: ROLE OF RELIGIOUS GROUPS IN SOLVING CONFLICTS 6

also noted as having a message of peace and it is believed the people listening to them often

follow their wise counsel. Also, the utilization of religious leaders in ending the conflict between

the two states is due to them having a remarkable advantage of providing peaceful solutions

without having to rely on their constituents like the way politicians do. The religious leaders

have no worries of having to go to the electorate for reelection or losing their seats, hence as a

result of this, they often have an upper hand in advancing motions which are sensitive to the

population, as well are at ease giving up ingrained positions or breaking up new ground with the

sole purpose of ensuring that amicable and long term solutions are found. The religious leaders

are also essential in being agents of sending messages of peace in the communities they exist and

the congregations they serve.

The religious leaders in both sides of the divide and representing the various religious

creeds the believe in, have had to set up a number of conferences aimed at addressing the non-

liberals that are in each society. There are individuals on the Palestinian and Israeli side who

undertake in part of the dialogues as well as conferences, and are known as to being committed

in finding a just cause for both sides but have a political or religious stand that is unalterable

regardless of anything5. These kind of individuals believe and are committed towards finding a

just solution for the conflict and are actually convinced of the necessity of having a common

agreement in matters of politics and religion dissonances. Yet, despite this, the central issue has

often been how these political leaders as well as other leaders would be able to engage in

dialogue that is productive. The stands that are undertaken by these leaders and are from both

sides have in turn caused a reluctance on the need of the masses accepting religious pluralism in

Jerusalem. The matter is further worsened when the leaders fail in acknowledging the claims

presented by all parties. Hence, it is for such kind of contexts that the religious leaders, and
5
Wang, “How Can Religion Contribute to Peace in the Holy Land?”
: ROLE OF RELIGIOUS GROUPS IN SOLVING CONFLICTS 7

religion as institutions of authority played a critical role in seeking for a common ground of

holding a truce before negotiations advance on how to end the stalemate between the two states.

Since the religious leaders have the abilities of addressing large audiences in their

communities through the weekly sermons they deliver, as well as their positions bequeathing

them with natural authority that is needed in spreading the message of reconciliation successfully

in Jerusalem, it is observed that their role is fundamental in ending the conflict. The religious

authorities base their messages on holy scriptures and use symbols and signs of religion in

convincing even the hardest radicals about the need of changing their stances and being

convicted about how the misinterpretation of the holy scriptures has led towards the prolonged

conflict6. The aim of using the religious leaders in settling the grievances of the conflict is

through ensuring that dialogue begins on both sides and thereafter give thought-provoking

impulses that are based on the religious sources as being the only avenues of settling the conflict

effectively for an extended period and because this causes a paradigm shift in the minds of the

people.

The author Sampson notes that spirituality and religion are viral, creative as well as

dynamic resources which can be used in peace building initiatives. Religion as an entity has

contributed in the last century towards ending conflicts that were prevalent in that time period.

The current millennium, religion stills plays a pivotal role currently. Religion often employs

nonviolent mechanisms in ending conflicts. In most instances interreligious and inter-

denominational activities ensure that peacebuilding efforts are undertaken to end conflicts 7. It is

unfortunate that the efforts of the religious leaders and various religions are not mentioned in the

headlines on the part they play in ending conflicts rather it is the political diplomatic initiatives

6
Cynthia Sampson, “Religion and Peace Building,” 1998.
7
Sampson.
: ROLE OF RELIGIOUS GROUPS IN SOLVING CONFLICTS 8

that take center stage in being highlighted on the role they play in ending the conflicts around the

globe.

Individual religious communities whereby the ecumenical as well as the religious sphere

are observed in expanding as well as adopting diverse approaches that can be used towards

peacebuilding. The World Conference of Religions and Peace together with national and

regional interreligious councils are currently active towards contributing in peacebuilding

initiatives8. This shows that, through having a united religious initiative, cooperation amongst the

warring sides of the conflict will be achieved much easily. These assertions are evident in

regions that have had the greatest impact of conflicts that center around religion. Even in regions

which had conflict and religion was not a major factor, the peacebuilding initiatives have

influenced the dynamics in these regions and led to the religious institutions of these regions

boldly asserting initiatives that are determined to end the conflict. This scenario has been

observed in the conflict between Israel and Palestine9. Hence, the usage of religion employ faith

based diplomacy in recognizing that religion play a fundamental role in building national

security in a number of nations. Therefore, religion seeks to engage in a reconciling and

transcendent aspect through overcoming the secular barriers that have hindered the attainment of

peace. By using religion, the warring parties as well as societies are able to overcome the historic

grievances, facilitating reconciliation, forgiveness and also muting religious fanaticism.

The current debates that have been ongoing in contemporary Israel have not yet produced

significant theoretical perspectives in regards to the recent Wars Israel has found itself in. A

significant number of rabbis have been noted to critic the purity of arms ideology doctrine. The

rabbis regard it as an alien ideology and have actually demanded for a relaxation towards the ban

8
Wang, “How Can Religion Contribute to Peace in the Holy Land?”
9
Walzer, “War and Peace in Jevrish Tradition.”
: ROLE OF RELIGIOUS GROUPS IN SOLVING CONFLICTS 9

of killing a number of many civilian enemies. More so, it has been observed that the critics do

not argue about the lives of the enemies being less significant than that of Israelis, rather the

approach undertaken is the egalitarian one10.

In the Palestinian end, the approach that has been employed towards systematically

changing the minds of its people can be observed through the formation of the Wasatia-

Movement. Wasatia is a term that has been derived from the Quran and it means practicing

balance, centrism and moderation. Hence, the Wasatia-Movemet has in its initiatives endeared

itself ending the conflict through broadening knowledge of the people in matters of politics,

religion, education and the overall society. The group has to this end held a number of seminars,

workshops and conferences that are guided by Sharia judges and Imams in teaching the

population about the various Islamic concepts.

In summary, it is evident that global conflicts are issues which eat the marrow of the

society. Conflicts derail societies and nations from advancing forward. Religious institutions are

thus considered as having the potential of preventing wars as well as coming up with resolutions

which will end the conflicts. The Israel-Palestine conflict for instance, is one which has heavily

relied on religious leaders diffusing the high tensions that have existed between the two states.

However, for peacebuilding initiatives from religion and other religious leaders to have a long

lasting impact in ending a conflict moderation of the religious leaders from both sides must be

observed. The religious leaders must depict tolerance and religious values in ensuring that both

sides have a working agreement to end the conflicts they are facing.

10
Sampson, “Religion and Peace Building.”
: ROLE OF RELIGIOUS GROUPS IN SOLVING CONFLICTS 10

Bibliography

Bercovitch, Jacob, and S Ayse Kadayifci-Orellana. “Religion and Mediation: The Role of Faith-

Based Actors in International Confl Ict Resolution.” International Negotiation 14 (2009):

175–204. https://doi.org/10.1163/157180609X406562.

Sampson, Cynthia. “Religion and Peace Building,” 1998.

Silvestri, Sara, and Mayall James. “THE ROLE OF RELIGION IN CONFLICT AND PEACE-

BUILDING,” 2015. https://www.britac.ac.uk/sites/default/files/Role-of-religion-in-conflict-

peacebuilding_0.pdf.

Walzer, Michael. “War and Peace in Jevrish Tradition,” 2007.

Wang, Yvonne Margaretha. “How Can Religion Contribute to Peace in the Holy Land?,” 2011.

https://www.duo.uio.no/bitstream/handle/10852/37783/dravhandling-

wang.pdf?sequence=1.