Split from Black and White Thinking: The Key to Resolving the Israel-Gaza Conflict
Disscussing Middle East Controversies Without Inciting Discord
The Israel-Gaza conflict, a constant source of debate, divides people far and wide. Families, friends, and coworkers all find themselves at odds, making it seem impossible to escape the raging storm. But is objectivity in war even achievable?
To find an answer, we spoke to Silke Freitag, a psychologist who works as a mediator for organizations embroiled in conflicts surrounding Israel-Gaza. Freitag spoke about the importance of transitioning from a "either-or" mindset to a "both-and" mentality.
MOPO : Frau Freitag, why were you hesitant to conduct this interview?
The passionate discussions about the Israel-Gaza conflict have been ongoing for so long that even a single misconstrued word can exacerbate the tension. I don't want to add fuel to the fire or contribute to even more polarization.
Sometimes distinguishing the right from wrong can create insurmountable obstacles to resolution. In such cases, the "both-and" mindset calls for simultaneous consideration and acknowledgement of both parties' complexities, needs, and perspectives, instead of reducing the conflict to a "either-or" scenario.
This approach can yield constructive dialogue and eventual resolution through several steps:
1. Understanding the Other's Perspective
Both sides often believe they are entirely right, while the other is wrong, driven by egocentrism and biased perceptions. A "both-and" mindset necessitates acknowledging that each party’s narrative and concerns carry validity and deserve to be heard. This involves actively working past self-centered viewpoints and making an effort to see the conflict from the opposing side's point of view, often with the assistance of neutral mediators or impartial experts[1].
2. Encouraging Open Dialogue
Providing a space for equal and uninterrupted expression from all parties allows for the overcoming of assumptions and misunderstandings, forging empathy and trust. Facilitated dialogues with ground rules that promote respectful listening can enable the parties to recognize shared interests even in the presence of deep disagreements[3].
3. Avoiding Escalation and Provocation
Maintaining a calm and non-inflammatory stance prevents further entrenchment of hostility. The "both-and" mindset discourages actions or language that heighten tensions, instead emphasizing de-escalation and mutual respect as vital foundations for any progress[1].
4. Shared Problem Definition
Rather than each side solely framing the conflict as a defense of their position, a "both-and" approach encourages collaborative definition of the root causes and shared challenges. This opens avenues for creative problem-solving, addressing core issues for both parties, instead of superficial or one-sided solutions[3].
5. Viewing Conflict as an Opportunity for Growth
Adopting a growth mindset within the "both-and" framework allows parties to see the conflict not just as a threat, but as a chance for personal growth and learning. This shifts focus from winning or losing to mutual progress[5].
6. Shared Ownership of the Resolution Process
For any solution to be sustainable, both parties must feel ownership and fairness in the outcomes and the process to reach them. The "both-and" mindset promotes cooperative collaboration to define what each side can contribute toward peace and rebuilding, supporting long-lasting agreements[3].
In essence, employing the "both-and" approach in the Israel-Gaza conflict involves acknowledging the legitimacy of both parties' perspectives, fostering open dialogue, avoiding escalation, collaboratively defining problems, embracing growth from the conflict, and jointly owning solutions. Shifting from win-lose scenarios to collaborative approaches can remove the logjam and pave the way for sustainable peace solutions[1][3][5].
- The "both-and" mindset, as employed in the Israel-Gaza conflict, requires recognizing the legitimacy of both parties' perspectives, encouraging open dialogue, and avoiding escalation.
- In order to foster sustainable peace solutions, the conflicting parties must engage in shared problem definition, embrace growth from the conflict, and establish shared ownership of the resolution process.
