According to Bar-Tal, the psychic infrastructure that enables the members of a society to endure long-term (intractable) conflicts integrates societal beliefs, among others – in the justness of one’s cause, – one’s victim role, – the de-legitimation of the enemy and – the defense of personal and national security through a policy of

strength– peace as the ultimate goal of war.

Societal beliefs

Pro-Israel Neutral Pro-Palestine

War Framne Uncritical support of Israeli policy, delegitimation of the Palestinians and justification of Israeli violence

Criticism of Israeli policy, delegitimation of the Israelis and justification of Palestinian violence

Peace Frame Criticism of both sides’ policies, accentuation of the vital needs of the Israelis and condemnation of violence on both sides

Criticism of both sides’ policies, accentuation of the vital needs of both societies and condemnation of violence on both sides

Criticism of both sides’ policies, accentuation of the vital needs of the Palestinians and condemnation of violence on both sides

Cognitive frame

Pro-Israeli Pro-Palestinian

Endorsement of peace npeace01: A solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can only be found through negotiation.

npeace02: The continued violence of the Israelis and Palestinians deepens the gulf between the two societies and leads to radicalization on both sides.

Accentuation of vital needs

npeace03: A solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict must take account of the necessities of life of both populations.

ipeace01: All the participants should work for the Israelis to be able to look forward to a peaceful future free of fear.

ppeace01: All the participants should work for the Palestinians to be able to lead a peaceful, self-determined life.

Cognitive frame

Pro-Israeli Pro-Palestinian

Policy of strength iwar01a: The Palestinian leadership should be forced to recognize Israel.

pwar01a: The Israeli government should be forced to recognize the rights of the Palestinians.

Criticism of opponent’s policy iwar02: The Palestinian leadership is not ready to make compromises and tries to impose its maximum aims without regard to losses.

pwar02: Israel is intransigent and tries to maintain existing conditions by the use of force.

Delegitimation of the opponent iwar03: The goal of the Palestinian leadership is the destruction of Israel.

pwar03: The aim of Israeli policy is the continued oppression and disenfranchisement of the Palestinians.

Legitimation of own side’s warfare

iwar04: The Israelis are conducting a legitimate defensive war against Palestinian terrorism.

pwar04: The Palestinians are conducting a legitimate war of liberation against the Israeli occupation.

Condemnation of opponent’s violence

iwar05: Nothing can justify the Palestinian terror attacks against the Israeli population.

pwar05: Israel’s military operations against the Palestinians are excessive and unjustified.

Cognitive frame

Pro-Israeli War Frame (9,8%)

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Pro Israeli Pro Palestinian

Pro-Palestinian Frame "on the edge" of a War Frame (20,8%)

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Pro Israeli Pro Palestinian Neutral Peace Frame

Pro-Palestinian War Frame (8,7%)

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Pro Israeli Pro Palestinian

Average Peace Frames (45,1%)

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Average Pro Israeli Average Pro Palestinian Neutral pro Israel = pro Palestinian

Results

Also participants who intzerüpret the conflict according to a peace frame believe that the aim of Israeli policy is the continuous oppression and disenfranchisement of the Palestinians