Diasporic Activism in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

"Previous research has highlighted that Diasporas often exacerbate conflicts and contribute to their protraction. More recently, however, scholars have pointed to the positive aspects of diasporic engagement. However, insufficient research--above all, theoretical work--exists on the conditions under which Diasporas become 'doves' rather than 'hawks'. Through an analysis of the activities of Arab-Palestinian and Jewish organizations on behalf of and towards their conflict-ridden homelands, Diasporic Activism in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict provides both a detailed picture of diasporic activism in the Middle East as well as advancing theory-building on the roles of diasporas in helping or hindering peace. Particularly since the Oslo peace process, the search for a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been strongly contested among Jewish and Arab/Palestinian organizations in the United States. Drawing on research into (transnational) social movements, diaspora studies and constructivist international relations theory, this book retraces how this process of diversification occurred, and explains why neither the Jewish nor the Arab Diaspora community hold a unified position in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but are each comprised of both hawks and doves. Combining theoretical depth and practical orientation, this book is a key resource for those working in the fields of Middle Eastern studies, peace and conflict studies and diaspora studies, as well as specialists on the ground in Israel/Palestine and other conflict settings in which Diaspora communities play a prominent role"--Provided by publisher.