The Israeli-Palestinian peace movement : combatants for peace / Donna J. Perry.

Includes bibliographical references (pages [247]-252) and index.

Part I. Background: Introduction; Learning from the peacemakers: a research inquiry -- Part II. Palestinian Context: Themes I-III: Palestinian awareness and understanding of the conflict: "something is wrong"; Joining the conflict: Palestinian struggle against the occupation: "doing something-- anything"; Removing oneself to the peace: "violence is not good for us" -- Part III. Israeli Context Themes I-III: Israeli awareness and understanding of conflict: "it's always there"; Joining the conflict: defending one's country: "I wouldn't think of not going to the army"; Removing oneself to the peace: "the fact that I was there is wrong" -- Part IV. Themes IV-VII: A New Context of Working Together: The path of nonviolence through combatants for peace: " working together on the ground"; Challenges and conviction: "we are on the right way": The other as partner and friend: "we're friends now"; Outcomes of nonviolent action: "a hope to achieve something together"; Personal growth: "I am doing something good" -- Part V. Discussion and Recommendations: Evaluation of the research process; Combatants of peace: actualizing peace theory, education, and research; Reclaiming dignity: a mutual transformation; Patterns of transformation; Hope on the ground: a transformative paradigm for peace.

This book provides the results of a qualitative research study conducted with members of the Israeli-Palestinian peace movement, Combatants for Peace (CFP). CFP is a grass roots organization that was formed in 2005 by Palestinians who were involved in violence on behalf of Palestinian freedom but have now renounced violent means and Israelis who served as combat soldiers in the IDF but now refuse to serve in the occupied territories. In-depth interviews with members of CFP suggest that the decisions to commit to nonviolent action and to join CFP involved a mutually transformative process that influenced understanding and development of both self and Other. This book provides the results of research conducted with members of the Israeli-Palestinian peace movement Combatants for Peace. This organization was formed in 2005 through the unlikely partnering of Palestinians who had formerly participated in violent resistance and Israelis who had served as soldiers in the IDF but now refuse to serve in the occupied territories. These individuals have committed themselves to work together through nonviolent action for a peaceful two-state solution. Their stories offer an inspiring message of peace and hope. The book provides recommendations for transformative peace building based on the research results