Collective memory of conflict is not all about politics—The Israeli case: Empirical, theoretical, and practical aspects

Abstract

The most important theme in conflict memory studies has been the “politics of memory.” This article, however, argues that memory is also significantly influenced by many apolitical factors, which are typically underresearched. Based on numerous documents and interviews, the article examines the Israeli official, autobiographical, cultural, and historical memories, from 1949 to 2004, of the 1948 Palestinian exodus. Empirically and theoretically, the article offers various contributions, such as the first typology of the three manifestations of the political and apolitical uses of memory, and traces 13 apolitical factors. All these findings are translated into practical implications for the use of peacemakers and others.

Nation’s Historical Past under Multicultural Conditions

“…Scientists who devote their works to the research of the collective memory phenomenon draw their attention among the wide range of concepts to the issue of attitude to one of the most important components of collective goal setting, namely the historical past. It is interpreted as a socio-cultural phenomenon that has a significant impact on the international and national arena and can be based on the conflicts experienced by the nation, serve as a reflection of both internecine strife and genocide, political violence, terrorism, the influence of despotic regimes [3]. It can be also interpreted as a factor of cultural identity [4] or understanding of the past that is produced and perceived collectively [5].…”