The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has galvanized communities across the world for decades, becoming a linchpin of domestic policy not only in the Middle East but also in the U.S and in other countries around the globe. As an active conflict area with frequent flare ups, the region’s deeply rooted dynamics have resulted in years of stalemate and what many refer to as an intractable reality. This conflict has been a priority for many U.S administrations and the Oslo Peace process in the 90’s was seen as one of the greatest foreign policy accomplishments that did not last long. The situation in the region today is arguably further away from resolution than ever before.

Traveling throughout Israel, Jordan and West Bank/Palestine, we focus on some of the core overlapping dynamics at play in a conflict that is simultaneously territorial, national and religious in nature. We explore the rule and influence of international community, regional dynamics, power imbalances and the impact of civil society. We examine the role of state and non-state actors, militarization, resistance, nationalism and internal social and societal dynamics. We look at jurisdictional issues arising from civil law, religious law, military law, international law and the laws of occupation. We also explore the environmental and shared resource implications as well as the role of refugees, diaspora communities and the heavy impact of transgenerational and collective trauma including the prevalence of PTSD.