Israel and Palestine: Group Dynamics
The Israeli and the Palestine issue has flared up again. Egypt has now backed Gaza, and the question of war is in the news.
This conflict has been a modern issue since the British Mandate for Palestine in 1922. This ‘agreement’ promoted the division of the British protectorates – Palestine, to include a national home for the Jewish people. This area had been in control of the Middle East since the 16th Century.
Mix this with the arrogance of the British Empire in believing the world was there to cut up at its own convenience, coupled with the effects of the Holocaust of the Jews – saying that it was never going to work would be an understatement.
Political commentators link the escalation of the violence to elections in Israel and an insecurity that makes it its own worst enemy. The phrase “Own worst enemy” is generally applied to people – individuals. So perhapsan analogy of a group of people might be helpful?
The members in the group come from all over the world. The group is dominated by a sub group of members who are wealthy and powerful. They influence the group and the rules that govern it.
Among many conflicts two group members are in constant conflict which flares up into violence periodically. Both these members have had abusive pasts unimaginable to others in the group. Other group members wring their hands partly in guilt, partly in denial, with varying degrees of support for either side: but ultimately do not want to be involved, or feel powerless.
The two group members in conflict are similar but in very different situations. Both come from a similar origin in the Middle East historically respecting and incorporating each others’ religions into their own. One has the financial backing of other powerful members of the group and lives a wealthy lifestyle; the other has less support from these group members, but has a lot of moral support from large sections of the group. This group member lives their life in hardship, poverty. Both are very, very angry with each other, constantly blaming and attacking each other.
A group facilitator would be looking at the conflict between the two group members, mindful that there is an element of a set up about this dynamic. These two members have been manipulated into this situation by the self-interest and greed of the descendants of the powerful group members.
The exploration of this abuse, and the feelings behind it might create an opportunity to keep the ‘presenting past’ back in the past so that the present situation can be looked at in a more objective way.
This element of the past never being resolved and playing itself out in the present is repetitive, and stuck. In the group the representatives of the main powerful players from the 1920s would be encouraged to stand up and take responsibility for their roles.
Unless the original hurts are addressed – the group cannot move forward.
Israel and Palestine: Group Dynamics
Copyright Adrian Scott North London Counsellor Blog 2012
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Disclaimer: This weblog is the view of the writer and for general information only.
This article is designed to provoke argument and critique.