Musalaha

Musalaha found an alternative strategy to address the policy of separation through prolonged exposure and trust-building, as stated in its Contact Hypothesis. Research indicates that bringing two conflicting groups of people together for meaningful encounters reduces social distance and lack of acceptance of the other. In Dr. Salim J. Munayer's words:

"I came to the conclusion that the theology of reconciliation was the best theology to deal with all these issues, and that more than anything else, the Jewish and Palestinian believers needed to be brought together, face to face. Anything less would not work, because of the dehumanization and demonization going on from both sides."[4]

Musalaha's Contact Hypothesis mitigates the imbalance of power of the Israeli-Palestinian society caused by settler colonialism and the military occupation, by ensuring both sides are equal in size and have equal representation through a grassroots Israeli and Palestinian group leader. All encounters are conducted in both Hebrew and Arabic. In order to 1) Begin Relationships, Musalaha brings Israelis and Palestinians together in the Wadi Rum desert in Jordan, where both groups sleep, eat and learn together. Referred to as the Desert Encounters, this unique location offers both groups the needed neutrality and isolation, removed from societal expectations, physical and (some) psychological obstacles created by the occupation. Munayer articulated this vision when he said,

"We take people from both sides out into the desert for three days. I believe that when they are away from their normal surroundings, in a situation where they must work together, we can begin to break down the barriers and build a trust relationship."[5]

Moreover, the desert's harsh climate stimulates people from both sides to rely on each other, transcending human differences and forging closer connections to each other and nature. The desert has significant theological relevancy in biblical stories of reconciliation.

The process of reconciliation is long and hard, however the earlier it is initiated, the easier it is to make real progress. For children, learning to understand and trust individual from the other side is facilitated through Musalaha's annual summer camps.

This camp is unique in that it brings together Israeli and Palestinian children (ages 8–13) in a friendly, neutral environment. For many of these young children, this camp is their first exposure to anyone from the other side and can be a very formative experience, and have a positive influence on their perceptions of each other.

Most Israeli and Palestinian youth have seen, experienced and/or participated in violence at some point in their early life. Already in the critical development stage, attitudes of hatred, enmity, victimization, and violence begin to emerge. From one generation to the next, the dehumanization and demonization of the other side is ingrained in youth without ever having met the other.

At the same time, Musalaha recognizes opportunities to engage youth who tend to be more open to building relationships, learning about reconciliation and justice, and identity formation in relation to the “other” as a source of strength to provide training in reconciliation leadership.

Musalaha runs several projects amongst youth: Overseas youth exchange and volunteering projects, youth leadership workshops, and Desert Encounters.

Another focus group are Palestinian young adults, who are particularly vulnerable to intra-religious and community tensions in the Palestinian territories and are victims of the military occupation regime in the West Bank. Annually, Musalaha recruits around 30 Christian and Muslim young adults and brings them to reconciliation through the Desert Encounters and a series of follow up teachings and workshops, resulting in joint outreach initiatives for the betterment of their civic responsibility and community life.

Moreover, Musalaha focuses on young adults throughout other projects and includes Israeli youth, as young adults find themselves on a crossroads in the conflict; either they are bound to serve in the Israeli Defense Forces, or they enroll in further education or start navigating employment.

Musalaha believes in gender equality and facilitating women towards leadership positions in the Middle East. Musalaha runs two women projects; one cross-border Israeli-Palestinian project that begins with the Desert Encounters, goes through reconciliatoin teachings over the course of 6 weekend meetings and concludes with joint outreach initiatives. The other project remains uni-national, as it brings Christian and Muslim Palestinian women together over 6 meetings, educating them in reconciliation and c-advocacy in their communities. These women are also encouraged to undertake their own reconciliation activities, as well as humanitarian outreach projects. The focus on women stems from a recognition that they serve as agents of change in their communities, and have significant influence in their capacity as mothers and wives, as well as working members of both the Israeli and Palestinian societies.

Over the years, Musalaha has established a platform of women in leadership roles, that enhances relationship-building, networking across ethno-religious differences and exchanges knowledge. By encouraging women to network and establish connections in civil society movements in the Land, Musalaha implements landmark Security Council Resolution 1325, which states that women have an indispensable role in negotiating, designing and executing durable peace accords.

Musalaha actively recruits Israeli and Palestinians in civil society leadership positions, who contribute to Musalaha's advocacy strategy after having been educated in reconciliation teachings. Besides working on advocacy strategies behind the scenes, this group designs and executes peacebuilding initiatives with considerable resources and impact in both Israel and Palestine. Musalaha and the leaders mutually profit from each other's sphere of influence on a joint mission to nourish social movements affecting real change for the sake of justice and peace.

There are many articles and project reports available on the Musalaha website. Additionally, Musalaha published and was consulted for numerous other books and articles:

• Munayer, Salim J. “The Missiology behind the story.” “Voices from the Arab World”, eds. Jonathan Andrew, 2019.

• Munayer, Salim J. “Peacebuilding and Political Engagement in the Kingdom of God.” The Mission behind the Story: A Voice from the Arab World, eds. Martin Accad and Das, 2019.
• Gener, D. Timoteo. "Asian Christian Theology: Evangelical Perspectives." 2019.

• Munayer, Salim J. “Issues in Israeli and Palestinian Reconciliation Encounters.” How Long O Lord?: The Challenge and Promise of Reconciliation (the ‘Work’), eds. Athena E. Gorospe and Charles R. Ringma. Langham Creative Projects, 2018.

• Munayer, Salim J. “Religious Conflict and Resolution in the Middle East.” Encyclopedia of Christianity in the Global South, 2 Volumes, ed. Mark A. Lamport. Rowan & Littlefield Publishers, 2018. 679-681.

• Horenczyk, Gabriel. & Salim J. Munayer. “Multi-group acculturation orientations in a changing context: Palestinian Christian Arab adolescents in Israel after the lost decade.” International Journal of Psychology, 49.5 (2014): 364-370. Article first published on the Web: 25 Mar 2014.

• Munayer, Salim J., and Lisa Loden, eds., Through My Enemy’s Eyes: Envisioning Reconciliation in Israel- Palestine. Milton Keynes: Paternoster, 2014.

• Munayer, Salim J., (2014), “Reconciliation as a Christian Response to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict.” Christians and the Middle East Conflict, eds. Paul S. Rowe, John H.A. Dyck, Jens Zimmerman. New York Routledge Taylor & Francis Group, 2014.

• Through My Enemy's Eyes: Envisioning reconciliation in Israel-Palestine, Salim J. Munayer and Lisa Loden (Bletchley: Paternoster, 2013)
• The Land Cries Out: Theology of the Land in the Israeli-Palestinian Context, Edited by Salm J. Munayer and Lisa Loden (Eugene: Cascade Books, 2012)
• Munayer, Salim J. “Theology of the Land: From a Land of Strife to a Land of Reconciliation.” The Land Cries Out: Theology of Reconciliation in the Israeli-Palestinian Context, eds. Salim J. Munayer and Lisa Loden. Eugene: Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2012. 234-264.
• Journey Through the Storm: Musalaha and the Process of Reconciliation, Edited By Salim J. Munayer (Beit Jala: NOUR Design and Print Company, 2011)
• Munayer, Salim J., ed. Journey through the Storm: Musalaha and the Reconciliation Process. Jerusalem, 2011.
• Munyaer, Salim J. “Hosea.” The Asia Bible Commentary Series by, eds. Bruce J. Nicholls and Sang-Bok David Kim. Manilla: Asia Theological Association, 2010.
• Munayer, Salim J. “The Cross and Reconciliation in Palestine.” Jesus and the Cross: Reflections from Christians in Islamic Contexts, ed. David Singh. Oxford: Regnum. 2010. 89-95.
• Munayer, Salim J. “The Theological Challenge the State of Israel poses to Palestinian Christians,” St Francis Magazine, 4:3 (2008). Munayer, Salim J. “Terrorism.” Dictionary of Mission Theology, Evangelical Foundations, ed. John Corrie. Nottingham: Inter-Varsity Press. 2007. 378-380. Horenczyk, Gabriel and Salim J. Munayer. “Acculturation orientations toward two majority groups: The case of Palestinian Arab Christian adolescents in Israel.” Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 38: 2 (2007): 76-86.
• Munayer, Salim J. and Chris Wright. Survey of the Bible, Part of Christian curriculum in Arabic for Palestinian schools. 2004. Jesus the Messiah: His Life and Teachings. Part of Christian curriculum in Arabic for Palestinian schools.
• Musalaha Worship, عبادة مصالحة, הלל מוסאלחה, (Jerusalem: Musalaha, 2004)
  This book is a compilation of worship songs in Hebrew and Arabic, collected and published by Musalaha. Horenczyk, Gabriel and Salim J. Munayer. “Complex patterns of cultural allegiances: The ethnic identity of Palestinian Christian Arab adolescents in Israel.” Analysing Identity: Clinical, societal, and cross-cultural perspectives, eds. P. Weinreich & W. Saunderson. London: Routledge, 2004. 171-189.
• Seeking and Pursuing Peace: the Process, the Pain, and the Product, Edited by Salim J. Munayer (Jerusalem: Yanetz Ltd., 1998)
  This book is a series of articles by Messianic Jewish and Palestinian Christian leaders, such as Naim Ateek and Arnold Fruchtenbaum, as well as others, on the topic of peace and peacemaking. It also offers a section of articles on Musalaha events
• Munayer, Salim J., ed. Seeking and Pursuing Peace the Process, the Pain and the Product. Jerusalem, 1997.

• Munayer, Salim J. “Palestine.” Church in Asia Today—Opportunities and Challenges, ed. Saphir Athyal. Singapore: Asia Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization, 1996.

• Munayer, Salim J. “Relations between Religions in Historical Palestine and the Future Prospects: Christians and Jews.” Christians in the Holy Land, eds. Michael Prior and William Taylor. World of Islam Festival Trust. 1994

• Munayer, Salim J. In the Footsteps of Our Father Abraham. Jerusalem, 1993.
• In the Footsteps of our Father Abraham, Edited by Salim J. Munayer (Jerusalem: Art Plus, 1993)
  This book is a collection of articles by both Messianic Jewish and Palestinian Christian leaders, on the topic of reconciliation, from its Biblical foundations, to its practical application. It also contains reflections and observations made by participants in different Musalaha events.

Moreover, Musalaha's expertise in reconciliation has been analyzed in the following books:

• You Have Heard It Said, Events of Reconciliation, Jonathan McRay (Eugene: Resource Publications/Wipf & Stock, 2010)
• Light Force: A Stirring Account of the Church Caught in the Middle East Crossfire, Brother Andrew and Al Janssen (Orange: Open Doors International, 2004)
• The Bible and the Land: An Encounter, Edited By Lisa Loden, Peter Walker, and Michael Wood (Musalaha, 2000)
  This book is a collection of articles from a number of different contributors and perspectives, on the Theology of the Land.
• Travellers on the Narrow Road: Stories of dynamic faith under persecution in Israel & Palestine, Ellie Philpott (Kent: Sovereign World International Book & Open Doors, 1999)