Jonathan Cosgrove
The goal of my research project is to analyze how food serves as a unifying and divisive factor in Israeli-Palestinian relations. Specifically, I plan to investigate the impact of food on the relationship between Israeli and Palestinian communities, and how it may affect their perceptions of one another.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a complex issue that has remained unresolved for decades. Despite efforts made by political leaders, there has been little progress in achieving a lasting peace. Therefore, exploring alternative approaches to address the issue is crucial. By examining the role of food in Israeli-Palestinian relations, I hope to shed light on a potentially overlooked factor that could play a significant role in improving relations between the two communities. By understanding how food may either improve or exacerbate tensions, we can explore new avenues for bringing people together.
To achieve my research objectives, I will conduct interviews with Israeli and Palestinian chefs to gather their perspectives on the role of food in their respective communities. Additionally, I plan to spend time in their restaurants and kitchens to observe and understand the dynamics between chefs and customers. I will collect demographic data on the breakdown of Israeli and Palestinian visitors to these restaurants, as well as data on the number of restaurants run by Palestinian chefs versus Israeli chefs in Israel. To supplement my findings, I will also collect qualitative data on the thoughts and perceptions of both Israeli and Palestinian chefs regarding food and its significance in their culture. I will draw on the expertise of Professor Fonrobert, who will help me design the study and review my interview questions. I will also work with her to design the demographic data collection aspect of the study and learn more about the historical significance of food in Israel and the Middle East.
Additionally, I will continue to learn about food in Jewish culture through her Jewish cooking course, of which I am the course development assistant. Furthermore, I will continue to work with filmmaker Beth Hawk, who has created the documentary “Breaking Bread” on how food can create bonds in the Middle East. She has been assisting with connecting me to chefs in the region, including Nof Atamna-Ismaeel, who hosts a food festival in Haifa with the goal of uniting Israelis and Palestinians. I will meet with Atamna-Ismaeel and the other organizers of the event to learn from their experiences and insights. Overall, my preparation and resources will enable me to conduct a rigorous and insightful study on the role of food in Israeli-Palestinian relations.