In his paper Adam Pines examines the polarising role which mainstream local media has played in Israeli society in recent years and the consequences for the prospects of resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Outlined is a proposal for a new-media mechanism aimed at increasing cohesion in Israel – a precursor for returning to the peace process. The paper argues that in regions of conflict, national media is imbued with responsibility beyond that of upholding the pr]]>http://www.icsr.info/paper/atkin-paper-series---mending-the-breach-and-building-a-voice-the-quest-for-consensus-in-israel2010-09-03 00:00:00Thanks to the generosity of the Atkin Foundation, ICSR is offering young leaders from Israel and the Arab world the opportunity to come to London for a period of four months, producing a research paper as the result of their work. The purpose of the fellowship is to provide young leaders from Israel and the Arab world with an opportunity to develop their ideas on how to further peace and understanding in the Middle East through research, debate and constructive dialogue in a neutral political environment.

Alia Al-Kadi argues in her paper that the Arab Peace Initiative of 2002 brings a new dimension to the negotiating table on the Arab-Israeli front. It offers Israel recognition and normal relations with 22 Arab nations in exchange for a withdrawal to the 1967 lines from all territory occupied to allow for a viable Palestinian state; a partition of Jerusalem, which would serve as a capital to both the Palestinians and the Israelis; and a negotiated, workable solution to the iss]]>http://www.icsr.info/paper/-atkin-paper-series---the-arab-peace-initiative-an-instrument-for-peace2010-08-19 00:00:00To download this paper click the link at the bottom of the page.

At the Peace and Security Summit in New York, ICSR launched its latest report, ‘Prisons and Terrorism: Radicalisation and De-radicalisation in 15 Countries’.

Based on a survey of prison policies in 15 countries, the report offers the most comprehensive study to date of the role prisons can play in radicalising people – and in reforming them.

The report identifies trade-offs and dilemmas but also principles and best practices that will help governments and policymakers spot new ideas and avoid costly and counterproductive mistakes.

Among the key findings and recommendations are:

•    The current emphasis on security and containment leads to missed opportunities to promote reform. Prison services should be more ambitious in promoting positive influences inside prison, and develop more innovative approaches to facilitate extre]]>http://www.icsr.info/paper/prisons-and-terrorism-radicalisation-and-de-radicalisation-in-15-countries-2010-08-19 00:00:00Concluding remarks from the one day conference on Political Islam and Public Policy, held at King's College London, 25 March 2010.

The conference brought together politicians, academics and other experts on political Islam to discuss whether and how the domestic and foreign policies of western governments should respond to political Islam in its various manifestations.

Speakers included:

- Former German Federal Minister of Justice, Prof. Dr. Herta Daeubler-Gmelin.

- Chairman of the German Bundestag's Foreign Affairs Committee, Ruprecht Polenz

- Baroness Kishwer Falkner, LibDem Spokesperson for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

- Crispin Blunt MP, then Conservative Shadow Minister for Home Affairs and Counter Terrorism now the Minister for Prisons and Probation

 The event was co-hosted with Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES), the German Embassy in London and The Institute for Public Policy Research (ippr).