Bridges across an impossible divide : the inner lives of Arab and Jewish peacemakers

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Bridges across an impossible divide : the inner lives of Arab and Jewish peacemakers

Marc Gopin

Oxford University Press, c2012

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Note

Includes bibliographical references (p. 233-234) and index

Description and Table of Contents

Description

Marc Gopin offers a groundbreaking exploration of Arab/Israeli peace partnerships: unlikely friendships created among people who have long been divided by bitter resentments, deep suspicions, and violent sorrows. In Bridges Across an Impossible Divide, Gopin shows how the careful examination of their inner spiritual lives has enabled Jewish and Arab individuals to form peace partnerships, and that these partnerships may someday lead to peaceful coexistence. The peacemakers in this book have no formal experience in conflict resolution or diplomacy. Instead, through trial and error, they have devised their own methods of reaching out across enemy lines. The obstacles they face are unimaginable, the pressure from both sides to desist is constant, and the guilt-ridden thoughts of betrayal are pervasive and intense. Peace partners have found themselves deserted by their closest friends, family members, and neighbors. Bridges Across an Impossible Divide tells their stories - stories not of saints, but of singular people who overcame seemingly unbeatable odds in their dedication to work toward peace with their estranged neighbors. Gopin provides insightful analysis of the lessons to be learned from these peacebuilders, outlining the characteristics that make them successful. He argues that lasting conflict and misery between enemies is the result of an emotional, cognitive, and ethical failure to self-examine, and that the true transformation of a troubled society is brought about by the spiritual introspection of extraordinary, determined individuals.

Table of Contents

  • Acknowledgements
  • 1. Introduction: The Spiritual Life of Arab and Jewish Peace Partners
  • PART I: SELF EXAMINATION AND IDENTITY
  • 2. Ibtisam Mahmeed: An Introductory Palestinian Case Study
  • 3. Eliyahu McLean: An Introductory Israeli Jewish Case Study
  • PART II: Peace Partners In Their Own Words
  • 4. Abdul Aziz Bukhari
  • 5. Gabriel Meyer
  • 6. Ihab Balha
  • 7. Hind Kabawat
  • 8. Marc Gopin
  • PART III: THE INNER LIFE OF PEACEMAKING
  • 9. A Summary of our Peacemakers' Transformative Qualities
  • Concluding Thoughts on The Inner Life of Peace Makers and the Future of Global Change
  • Notes
  • Bibliography
  • Index

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