Collective Narratives and Traditional Values in Meetings to Promote Peace: The Case of Religious Jewish and Muslim Women in Israel.

This study focused on the collective narratives and interactions between religious Muslim women and ultra-Orthodox Jewish women in Israel through a dialogue group of 20 community leaders who met regularly from 2018 to 2021 to promote peace and mutual understanding. Using a model developed by Sagy et al. (2002) that examines legitimacy, empathy, and anger in collective narratives, the research found that despite historical and political tensions, the women developed trust, recognized shared religious values, and fostered empathy toward each other’s narratives. The dialogue revealed that these women navigate conservative gender roles while acting as agents of change within their communities, balancing tradition with modern influences. The study suggests that women’s participation in peace discussions can effectively reduce hostility and contribute to nonviolent coexistence, highlighting the importance of intercultural dialogue in conflict resolution among conservative religious groups.