Combat service generally turns Jewish Israelis against peace negotiations and human rights organizations, finds a fascinating study by Devorah Manekin, Guy Grossman, and Dan Miodownik. Their finding has important implications for those who are working for a just solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The researchers queried a large sample of former soldiers on their attitudes towards Palestine and human rights organizations operating in Israel, and on territorial compromise and reparations – issues that are pivotal to the peace process. It turned out that those who had experienced intense, face-to-face combat, were far less supportive of the conflict resolution process, showed a more aggressive attitude towards Palestinians, and disapproved of human rights organizations. Many former soldiers maintained such positions even years later.
The authors do not make policy recommendations or draw normative conclusions, but noted that “in the Israeli context, it suggests that mandatory conscription has had far-reaching political effects that are not yet well documented or understood.”
