Theatre and the Right to have Rights. Creative intercultural encounter between Israelis and Palestinians in Israel promoting principles of peace and Human Rights in the context of reconciliation of intractable conflict

Abstract

There are many rather idealistic writings upon the effects that art can have on conflict societies and the role that art can play in the promotion of Human Rights. In the context of intractable conflict with a discourse of dehumanisation, it becomes particularly important to reemphasise everyone’s right to have rights and general related principles of equality, that are central to both Human Rights and reconciliation or peace efforts. With equality as the guiding principle, what can theatre really to promote set principle in the context of micro level encounter for reconciliation of intractable conflict? This case study will compare literature on micro level reconciliation of intractable conflict, peace education, human rights education and creativity with interviews and observations at the bilingual Jaffa Theatre in Tel-Aviv in order to asses what theatre can really contribute to the communication of Human Rights principles in the context of micro level reconciliation of intractable conflict.