“Terrorism mainly works by widely spreading shocking images” Swiss fears for his cousin: “Suddenly we could only hear Arab voices”

What role does hatred play in the recent escalation of conflict in the Middle East?
Oliver Fink: Intensive and negatively toned emotions such as despair, anger, but also hatred play a very important role. In this current outbreak of violence, we must assume that there are significant elements of hatred that want to destroy the adversary, even if that might even mean their own destruction.

Has hatred increased in recent years?
I have no reliable empirical data on Hass over a number of years. In principle, however, in the increasingly polarized and seemingly hopeless situation that has worsened in recent years, the sense of despair and hopelessness on both sides has certainly increased.

What role does humiliation play?
Humiliation is an important emotion, especially in the context of honor, its restoration and group cultures, which – as our research results show – can be very destructive, especially in case of escalation of violence. Some analysts even say that a major motivation for the current situation is an attempt to humiliate and show off this supposedly all-powerful Israel – especially one with such a security focus as current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The conflict is flooding social media with countless images and videos. Has hatred increased due to technological advances?
I haven’t done any research into social media myself. But what we can say for sure is that the relatively anonymous and impersonal virtual space requires much less attention on an individual level. I communicate things that I would never say in person. At a group level, terrorism and the spread of hate work primarily by spreading the most shocking images possible as widely as possible – and the technical advances of recent years have been enormous in terms of reach and immediacy.

Many have lost loved ones to attacks. Does such an experience lead to even more hatred and radicalization?
This may very well be the case. That’s why numbers on military casualties from the other side are as deceptive as a “success report” – I may have destroyed five fighters from the other side, but also two bystanders, they all have brothers, cousins, uncles, friends. The day after tomorrow I might have to deal with ten violent people instead of five…

Do such experiences lead to a greater willingness to use violence?
Like I said, this is definitely possible. On the other hand, there are also phenomena such as altruism that are caused by their own suffering – that is, when people work selflessly for other people without benefiting themselves. Another phenomenon is post-traumatic growth. Instead of being broken down by traumatic experiences, people notice positive psychological changes. This happens especially when one’s own experience suggests a perspective on general human suffering – including that of the other side.

Radical ideologies and hatred are reportedly being indoctrinated into some religious schools on both sides. How difficult is it to form your own opinion later? Can Can you free yourself from such indoctrinated negative feelings?
In principle this is of course difficult. We conduct research into how such emotional deradicalization can take place, both in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and in other violent contexts, for example in the so-called ‘Islamic State’ in Syria or in militant Islamism. This often happens initially due to an important emotional experience, for example due to an unexpected, appreciative meeting with the other party or simply due to disillusionment about one’s own violent path in life.

Which feelings help with deradicalization?
An emotion that is fundamental in a positive and constructive sense is empathy. In other words, taking perspective, the perspective of the other person’s suffering experiences. According to our research, this often arises from an encounter with ‘the other’. This causes an awareness of the experiences of others’ suffering. This then creates a sense of empathy, compassion and often a prosocial action component. So it is not just a feeling, but something concrete, a different lifestyle, is also implemented.