ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on research that analyzed unequal gender relations and gender inequality among Palestinian and Jewish participants who defined themselves as men and women of dialogue encounters organized in Israel. It describes the method and explores how it helps participants to critically analyze their own reactions to stereotypes they hold in respect to the Other and themselves. The chapter shows how the method fosters open dialogue about power dynamics, social constructions and racial, ethnic, and sexual and gender hierarchies. Gender-based stereotypes are crude generalizations as to the gender attributes, differences, and roles of persons and groups. Observing and analyzing stereotypes and prejudices from different angles sheds light on the mechanism of stereotyping. When national-identity stereotypes break down, therefore, they may be transformed into gender stereotypes which, in a way, serve as a common ground for both Jews and Palestinians.
