Thanks to the generosity of the Atkin Foundation, ICSR is offering young leaders from Israel and the Arab world the opportunity to come to London for a period of four months, producing a research paper as the result of their work. The purpose of the fellowship is to provide young leaders from Israel and the Arab world with an opportunity to develop their ideas on how to further peace and understanding in the Middle East through research, debate and constructive dialogue in a neutral political environment.
In his paper Adam Pines examines the polarising role which mainstream local media has played in Israeli society in recent years and the consequences for the prospects of resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Outlined is a proposal for a new-media mechanism aimed at increasing cohesion in Israel – a precursor for returning to the peace process. The paper argues that in regions of conflict, national media is imbued with responsibility beyond that of upholding the principles of democracy, driving accountability, and empowering people to challenge their society. Adam believes that in Israel, the media must seek to resolve an intra-national conflict by playing a cohesive role in society and broadening and realigning the national narrative toward a collective vision for the future state of Israel.
