Cross-Border Enterprises in Conflict Management: An Evaluation of Israel-Palestinian Cross-Border Interaction Opportunities of 1998-2000

Post-modern theory envisions the evolution of borders becoming bridges with the globalization of economic and cultural life increasing their permeability and thus devaluating their traditional function as barriers. Conflict zones are generally not included in this vision of transforming borders, remaining relatively impermeable to local cross-border interaction. Yet even in the shadow of ongoing conflict, positive cross-border contact experiences can change social perceptions and serve as rare and unique experiences of varying degrees of co-existence. This case study presents and critically evaluates various societal contexts of cross-border interaction between Israel and the Palestinian Authority during the years 1998-2000, overlapping part of the Oslo peace process.