ABSTRACT
This chapter analyses how identity has been approached in the Oslo process, in order to contribute to the literature on ethnic conflict and the discussion in conflict resolution through the case of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. In fact, for both Palestinians and Israeli Jews, the agreement hurt longstanding cognitive maps of who the 'enemy' is, of the 'intentions' of the 'other', and of the imperatives of collective memories and amnesia - without any proper preparation. Official Palestinian nationalism, was during the first years of the peace process in effect allied with Israel's government in the peace process as well as in protecting Israeli security, representing drastic change of the enemy image. Any conflict resolution attempt with aspirations of a long-term settlement must realize that the main factor is troubled national identities and that any package must allow for the recognition of identities as well as mechanisms to overcome negative stereotypes.
