Scientist is studying possibilities for communication between Palestinians and Israelis
2025-04-02 Lüneburg/Hannover. Together with scientists from the University of Jerusalem, Humboldt University Berlin and the University of California, psychologist Timur Sevincer from Leuphana University of Lüneburg is researching ways to reduce hostility and facilitate contact in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Lower Saxony Ministry for Science and Culture and the Volkswagen Foundation are providing 500,000 euros in funding for the three-year project.
In the wake of the terrorist attacks of October 7, 2003 and the war in Gaza, anti-Israeli attitudes in Arab countries have increased, as have anti-Arab attitudes in Israel. Such antagonisms can also be observed in Germany and the United States. Sevincer is interested in the psychological mechanisms behind such intergroup conflicts. He wants to better understand the background and develop concrete measures to promote openness and reduce intransigence.
Among the psychological factors underlying such conflicts is the attitude that one's own perception reflects objective truth. Added to this is the inability to see things from the other side's perspective and the lack of prospects for a better future in the face of existing obstacles. The project aims to examine whether interventions that address these psychological processes can positively influence attitudes and beliefs related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The perception of a threat to one's own group is a central factor in the development of negative attitudes towards other groups. One way to counter this is through so-called self-affirmations, i.e. positive, reinforcing thoughts and statements. The researchers want to find out whether this tool can increase the effectiveness of the interventions, particularly in the context of self-awareness.
The researchers plan to test the effectiveness of the interventions they develop in Israel, Germany and the United States on different groups (e.g. pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli activists). The findings will then form the basis for video-based interventions that educators and practitioners in conflict resolution can use as practical tools.
Background:
Sevincer's proposal was selected for funding by the Volkswagen Foundation in a competitive peer review process. Of the 23 proposals submitted, eight projects were selected for the 4 million euro funding program for cooperation between Israeli and Lower Saxony universities and research institutions.