The term “Middle East conflict” mainly describes the political and military conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. At the core of the conflict claim to the land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea. The situation intensified after the proclamation of the Israeli state in 1948, which produced several violent clashes and claimed many victims on both sides. Since then, there have been several attempts at rapprochement by Arab states, but the fundamental conflict over territorial claims has not been resolved. The European Union and Germany remain committed to a negotiable two-state solution that would grant sovereignty to Palestine and restore the established borders from the beginning of the conflict.
Years of conflict combined with acts of war have led to widespread movement of refugees from within the region. The United Nations reported that 5.7 million refugees have fled since the beginning of the conflict. Some two million live in the Gaza Strip, West Bank, and East Jerusalem areas, experiencing the devastating effects of hostilities in recent years. Intermittent economic blockades by Israel are exacerbating shortages of public services and benefits in the health system as well as energy supplies. The situation of people seeking protection in neighboring countries such as Syria and Lebanon is similarly critical due to regional conflicts and crises.
Our approach is based on transcultural understanding and mediation of the conflict parties. The focus is thereby on the people and their needs themselves. Through the support of aid organizations and the conception of multicultural contact points for mutual mediation, peacebuilding measures can take place.