Ayelet Harel

This study analyzes women's narratives of their experiences in an intractable conflict. Data were obtained from a series of personal interviews of diverse women - Palestinians from the West Bank and Gaza, Palestinians citizens of Israel, and Jewish Israelis. Interviewing these women revealed narratives of their everyday life experiences. Analyzing the women's responses to challenges and achievements in the context of severe political conflict, gender hierarchies and traditional societies, in a climate of surrounding armed conflicts was the key to understanding their narratives. This paper challenges the intractable conflict paradigm that emphasizes the zero-sum nature of conflicts. The interviewees presented longings for a safe space and home, but simultaneously demonstrated emotional capacity to look beyond their own 'side’ of the conflict and to reach out to the ‘other’ side. Our study contributes to the ongoing debate on women's narratives of security and insecurity in conflict zones.