In order to create a more lasting dialogue to create relationships and understand each side of the conflict, the first phase of the Mideast Peace Project is conducting a series of workshops. The first pilot workshop is on the weekend of November 1st and this workshop will try to analyze and overcome some of the obstacles that prevent our two sides from communicating with each other. It will also attempt to establish a close relationship and understanding between the participants. It is intended that out of this pilot workshop we will develop agendas for further workshops and goals for overcoming additional barriers that are preventing the Arabs and Jewish communities from coming closer together so that a lasting peace can be brought to the Mideast.

Obstacles to change:

Let us first discuss the obstacles that develop that prevent effective communications between our two opposing sides and then we can address the proposed solutions.

The main barriers to change:

1)      Polarization during crisis

a)     Each opposing side during a crisis begins to isolate themselves from each other.  Each side forms organizations that work towards supporting their positions and the organizations are exclusively populated with people from only one side or the other- never a mix.

b)     Constructive dialogue stops because emotions run high and people do not find themselves in an environment in which they can carry on meaningful communication; so each side avoids each other

c)     In isolation, each side begins to fill their minds with half-truths and the half-truths lead to prejudices and misconceptions.  Each side's ideas are never really shaped on the anvil of open dialogue.  The known fact that there are at least two sides to every issue is forgotten.

d)     Based upon the above description people in their polarized state focus on the differences of each side which helps to bring comfort and support to their polarized positions and organizations.  It becomes like a self-fulfilling prophesy.  When a side begins to demonize the other it seems rational to assume it would be crazy to talk to or even to think about working with the other side and further isolation ensues.

e)     As prejudices and hatred towards the other side increase, the chance for rational discussion decreases and whenever one questions the "party line" he/she is accused of being a traitor or a sympathizer.  Without any internal reflection, violence and killings ensue which further drives the conflict into an intractable state whereby violence becomes the norm and is maintained until it wears everyone out by breaking everyone's heart through unnecessary killings or one side kills off the other to end the dispute.  Quite a primitive and pathetic commentary on the human condition.

2)     The general public is quite limited in their understanding of the history and/or the complexities that comprise the realities of the situation. 

a)     The sources of information

i)      The newspapers, magazines and television stations do not provide in-depth coverage that is required to begin to get a true understanding of the conflict.  The amazing thing is that the general population is spending an enormous amount of time reading and watching the news media but are left with such a shallow and distorted view of reality.

ii)      Without a good understanding of the complex realities of the conflict by only accessing the "easy" forms or news sources, people are unable to respond appropriately to the crisis situation.  The general population just has no idea what is going on! 

(1)   Part of the reason for this is that the conflict is so complex that two minute sound bites that the TV news media spits out does not have the capacity to communicate the needed information for understanding to occur. At the same time, the news media makes you think that you are given good information so you come back for more.

(2)   In addition, the media has to satisfy a market that they know feels a certain way about an issue.  If the media begins to tell people things that they donÕt agree with or do not want to hear they will go to another news source that will give them what they want to hear.  Therefore, in order to hold on to their market share they will distort the truth to suit their customers needs.  And in the end, the truth, many times, does not get out.

Effective tools and strategies to work towards peace:

1)      Form an organization that is composed of members of both sides of the conflict

a)     By combining opposing parties it forces both sides to find the common ground from the beginning of the organizationÕs inception.  The Mideast Peace Project did not come together until a Arab American co-chair and a Jewish American co-chair were identified and each felt that there was enough trust generated between the two individuals and a sense of common purpose could be carved out together to begin our journey towards creating peace in the Mideast.

b)    By having the two groups working side by side on a daily basis it forces everyone to be sensitive to the issues that might set off anger in the other person.

c)      A new language of common purpose is forged.

d)     Ideas and opinions are expressed and challenged as agreements are developed on an ongoing basis.

e)     A board of directors will be established that will be made up of an equal number of Arab Americans and Jewish Americans and the number of board members will be an even number forcing the organization to come to consensus on major issues.

f)      This organization by its nature attracts pragmatic people who see the humanity on both sides and have not allowed their emotions to cloud their perception of reality.

g)     The frequent discussions of the Mideast Peace Project  constantly force us to deal with the 'two sides of the coin'.  Each member has to think and rethink their ideas and has to be open to being challenged and look for compromises.  This everyday process is the process people must go through in creating peace and we are practicing it everyday in the building of our organization.  Therefore, we are creating an example for peacemaking in the process of getting to a peaceful solution.  This is one of the key elements towards creating peace.

2)      The Peacemakers Workshop

Conflict resolution tools:

There are a whole host of conflict resolution tools that are well developed and proven and in a workshop setting can be used to allow people to bond together as a group.  This bonding experience is essential for the group to feel comfortable with each other.  This supportive environment allows people to open up and reveal their real inner fears, angers and prejudices.  The participants will feel that the group will be receptive listeners. 

Getting to know each other better:

The Peacemaking Workshop will start with an exercise where the group divides into smaller breakout groups. Then each person will describe the highlights of his/her life history to the subgroup and one person will be assigned to write up another person's history while the subgroup listens. When everyone is done, the larger group reconvenes. Then each person introduces the person they wrote a summary about to the whole group. By the end of this exercise, there should develop a sense of bonding among the group.  This process also assures that everyone feels that he/she has been listened to and begins to develop a strong sense of being part of this supportive group.

"To walk in the shoes of another":

Another exercise will be in reverse role-playing.  The Arab Americans will have to defend the Israeli position and the Jewish Americans will have to defend the Palestinian position. This exercise is a very effective way to allow people to expand their "narrow" views and develop a sense of empathy for the other side. As one begins to see how the other side is thinking it trains people to start looking at the other side of the coin.

Educational Sections:

There are three major areas that need to be covered and need in depth research:

1)      Religious differences and similarities of the three major religions of the region

a)    There are major misconceptions about each of the major religions

b)    The press and the terrorist attacks have created such fear about the Islamic religion that there are so many misconceptions that need to be addressed

2)      Historical background on the conflict

The Mideast conflict has a long history and has many interlocking issues that are very difficult to unravel

3)      Value of purpose of the grass roots movement in effecting change:

a)     The grassroots movement has been dormant here in the US for almost 25 years. When people ask themselves what can I do to make a difference they do not have any idea about the power of the grassroots effort and the role that it has played here in the US and throughout the world.  As a bumper sticker wisely pointed out, "When the people lead the leaders follow".

b)     We need to understand grass roots movements from an historical prospective.

4)     The value of doing valuable research on one's own

a)      Recommended reading lists will be sent out to participants of the workshops.

b)      Recommended reading lists will be posted on our website.

c)      It is important to read books written by authors that represent different sides and perspectives on the issues so that the reader can obtain an in depth and balanced perspective.

The power of the internet in coordinating a grassroots movement and its ability to provide a format and tool for conflict resolution:

1)     The internet provides an incredible ability for a small non-for-profit organization to communicate with its members and with other relevant organizations. It gives a new powerful tool to a grassroots peace movement. 

2)     The internet has tools that can be very helpful in conducting negotiations and conflict resolution on-line.  The Mideast Peace Project is currently using technology developed by a web-based company that is allowing us to do a trial run of bringing Arab Americans and Jewish Americans together in working on developing a set of Mideast peace principles that our two communities can agree to work on together. 

3)      Project management can also be handled effectively over the web using the same tools that we are using for our on-line Arab/Jewish American dialogue

The importance of an organization that is willing to provide the tools, funding and leadership for a full-scale grassroots peace effort:

1)      Many organizations are providing pieces of the project; educational services, dialogue forums, and general discussion groups. Our uniqueness and our challenges bring together all of these pieces and take on our shoulders the enormous task of bringing this grassroots project to the Mideast.

2)     The Mideast Peace Project will be sponsoring many projects that will fill the universe that encompasses the many faceted approaches a grassroots effort must tackle in order to be successful:

a)     Conducting many workshops throughout the United States.

b)     Holding on-line conflict resolution dialogues for various issues as we move towards exerting significant pressure on the leaders affecting the Mideast peace outcome.

c)     Conducting significant fundraising to build a large organization to coordinate many projects in tandem.

d)     Helping organize peace marches to keep the issues of peace making in the public eye and allow many people to come out and show their support with their physical presence.

e)     Creating the necessary publicity to make the public and leaders on both sides aware of the Mideast Peace Project.

f)       Developing e-learning tools and resources so that many of the insights that are developed at our workshops can be transmitted over the internet.

g)     After showing how the Arab and Jewish American communities are working hard and being effective in making peace with each other and developing working partnerships, we will start exporting these experiences to the Mideast.   We will encourage and recruit Israelis and Palestinians and Arab Israelis to conduct similar workshops with each other. 

h)     We will start holding workshops with Congressmen/woman to join in our workshops so that the understanding and insights gained from these workshops will begin to permeate and effect our leaders. 

In conclusion:

The work required for success is tremendous and the effort must be intense and highly organized backed by significant funding.  It is our belief that a well run, well defined organization should be able to attract a significant amount of funding.  With the adequate funding, the above goals should be met.  If we are right, with the appropriate design to our workshop concept, the barriers that divide us can be dismantled. Armed with the adequate insights and our own humanity, we should make our way clear through the confusion we find ourselves in, and with a little bit of luck we should succeed.