From the Publisher
“The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is one of the most bitter, protracted, and intractable conflicts of modern times. By focusing on the psychological dimension of this conflict, Linn Normand has made a highly original and important contribution. Her study illuminates the various ways in which demonization of the opponent leads to diplomatic deadlock. It deserves the widest readership.” (Avi Shlaim, Emeritus Professor of International Relations, University of Oxford, UK; author of The Iron Wall:Israel and the Arab World)
“A fascinating book that investigates the phenomenon of demonization in international politics and its application to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Linn Normand has written a conceptually rigorous book with important implications to ‘waging war’ and ‘waging peace.’ By deconstructing the polarizing notion of ‘us’ as good and ‘them’ as evil, this book lifts the veil on a major impediment to Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking.” (Fawaz A. Gerges, Emirates Chair of Contemporary Middle Eastern Studies, London School of Economics and Political Science, UK; editor of Contentious Politics in the Middle East: Popular Resistance and Marginalized Activism beyond the Arab Uprisings and author of ISIS: A History)
“Why is the Israeli-Palestinian conflict so intractable? This important book demonstrates that mutual demonization is a critical barrier blocking progress toward peace not only in the Israeli-Palestinian dispute but more generally. Using vivid historical examples, Linn Normand deepens our understanding of the tendency for disputants to view each other as evil—not just guilty of bad acts but bad to the core. This book must be read by anyone with a serious interest in international dispute resolution.” (Robert Mnookin, Samuel Williston Professor of Law and Chair of the Program on Negotiation, Harvard Law School, USA; author of Bargaining with the Devil: When to Negotiate, When to Fight)
