Frames of reference are the lens through which individuals perceive their world— established through experiences, learned behaviors and interactions with an environment. In Jerusalem, citizens’ frames of reference are created and reinforced through the perception of the power struggle between Israelis and Palestinians, living in violence-centered community and experiencing decades of hatred. Yet these frames of reference and these views of the other sides in the conflict can be changed. Due to frames of reference being so symbolically charged, an equally symbolic course of action needs to be established.
To work toward a vision of a just Jerusalem from a symbolic standpoint, we propose that a peace museum be built, one that incorporates peace education and works to foster a community center that would help turn frames of reference in the divided city. This peace museum would incorporate history from an Israeli and Palestinian standpoint, as it would seek to embrace controversy rather than retreat from it. The museum would feature a community center, fed by dual corridors depicting the opposing versions of history. For example, an Israeli visitor would go through the Palestinian corridor of the museum, creating cognitive dissonance and hopefully working toward turning his or her frame of reference. The visitor would then enter the community center in the back, which symbolically merges the dual corridors.
This museum would be led, organized and funded by a newly created NGO. This NGO, the International Trustees for Stewardship (ITS), would be run by a board of directors, headed by both Israeli and Palestinian chairs.
This proposal would bring together the other symbolic attempts at turning frames of reference in Jerusalem and would seek to establish a new holistic view of the conflict. A peace museum would be an effective step toward creating a just Jerusalem.
