Annual Report 1999 - 2000

Sulha Project

I wondered why someone did not do something about peace. Then I realized I was somebody. (an)

Sulha practice has been present in Middle Eastern cultures since ancient times. It had its historic emergence in early Semitic writings and in later Christian records dating from the first century, A.D. It continued in Arabic desert culture and literature through the pre-Islamic period (Jahiliyah) and the common historic era. Sulha met the test of time because it is based on common legal principles and collective wisdom recognized within pluralistic communities and formed across religious, political and ethnic differences.

The Sulha of today has adapted to the contexts of modern life. Wi'am employs Sulha as an addition to, rather than replacement of, the civil and criminal law practiced by the state; while under tribal law, it was once the only means for passing and enforcing rulings. Nevertheless, the underlying purposes have remained the same through the centuries: restoration of peaceful relationships between individuals, families, family groups and villages, and the redressing of wounds between disputing parties.

Arabic tradition holds that, "Nobody can carry blood, it is so heavy. Even the earth cannot absorb [it]... It will remain a stain" (Jabbour, 1996). Conflicts, which in the most severe cases result in assault, physical injury or homicide, leave a "stain" on the community, and so it is understood that no member of the community can spill blood with impunity. Thus, in order to prevent acts of revenge and disastrous feuds, the elements of Sulha have been employed as a means to redress conflict.

The success or failure of the mediation effort in Palestinian society falls squarely on the shoulders of the Jaha, the delegation of community leaders recruited to mediate the conflict. It is a role demanding the utmost in sensitivity, patience, communication, attention to detail, and sense of justice. 

A Wi'am mediator is uniquely trained to serve the community in this archetypal role of Peacemaker. The Jaha has served each generation of Palestinian society not only as a mediator in incidental conflicts, but as a model of community peacemaking. And the chaos in Palestinian life with the Israeli occupation has made the need for this traditional body all the more acute.

Wi'am integrates the traditional Arabic form of reconciliation, Sulha, with contemporary western mediation techniques. As a conflict emerges, mediators respond by going to the scene of a conflict. Their purpose is to bring the conflicting parties together while saving face, to address the wrong, and to create relationships between the disputants and Wi'am's mediators. Since 1994, Wi'am has intervened in about 3,000 cases ranging from personal conflict, conflict over land, to domestic violence. The problems handed to us were well treated and solved. The Center successfully mediated around 80% of the conflicts. Especially in the second part of the year, the number of domestic incidents and other kinds of violence increased - mirroring the growing frustration and impatience of people due to the abnormal life conditions in the West Bank.


Wi'am has mediated 650 cases this year:

• Teenage Conflict - 33
• Gender Issues - 19
• Inheritance Problems - 48
• Land conflict over landmarks - 45
• Tenant / Landlord - 25
• Educational Fees (schools & Universities) - 46
• Violence in Schools - 43
• Child delinquency - 30
• Domestic violence - 87
• Battered women - 23
• Car accidents - 60
• Mixed marriages - 6
• Employee / Employer - 27
• Rape - 3
• Robbery - 14
• Garbage dumping - 18
• Human rights violations - 20
• Drug addiction - 25
• Drinking problems - 33
• Debts - 55