Community-Based Health Interventions Are Critical for Peace Building in the Worsening Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian Territories (oPT) continue to expand and there is little communication between the 2 sides. Countries not directly engaged in the conflict are uninterested in a dignified solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This article argues that international organizations, donors, and third states should encourage the following peace-building approaches when considering health care initiatives in this conflict. The first is community oriented lay-led initiatives which should improve health outcomes, enhance the ability of Palestinians to develop resilience and promote peace-building between Israelis and Palestinians. Secondly, this strengthening can, in the absence of the impact of international advocacy for a dignified solution to this long-standing conflict, lead to locally driven peace-building while measurably improving health.