Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book includes a series of studies that place Jerusalem Old City Initiative (JOCI) within its historical setting and the theoretical context of Track Two diplomacy. It then proceeds to present the Initiative's culminating documents, which outline in detail the Special Regime governance model. The book explains Track Two diplomacy, provides a succinct historical account of the field, and develops a helpful framework in which to contextualize and critically examine Track Two processes, particularly with respect to the degree of impact such processes have had on resolving conflict. It addresses one of the most fundamental issues in Track Two exercises, that of transferring the ideas developed in unofficial processes to policy makers and negotiators in hopes of influencing and contribution to the outcome of a conflict.