Justice for Humanity: Lived Experiences of Israelis and Palestinians

Purpose: This study aims to explore the lived experiences of individuals from Israel and Palestine. The researchers will focus on participants' perceptions and opinions regarding the current conflict between the two regions. The research will involve the collection of data through a series of anonymous interviews, conducted virtually on Zoom. When you click below to continue, you will enter your email address and send us your consent. When we receive the consent, we will contact you from hpeker@fgcu.edu or  slumpkin9945@eagle.fgcu.edu email addresses. Based on your availability, we will send a Zoom link through Florida Gulf Coast University's Zoom system for a reliable and secure connection, and we will ask 6 questions. These questions are about your experiences, feelings, and opinions about the war and they will not be used against you at all. If you feel any concern at any time of the interview, you are welcome to quit the interview at any time you want.

If you join the study, we will make every effort to keep your information confidential and secure by using FGCU’s Zoom system. However, despite these safeguards, there is the possibility of hacking or other security breaches that could compromise the confidentiality of the information you provide. Thus, it is important to remember that you are free to decline to answer any question that makes you uncomfortable for any reason.

Refusal to join the study will not affect any future services you may be eligible to receive from the University.

To be eligible for participation, individuals must meet the criteria below:
 • being 18 years or older,
 • identifying as Jewish or Muslim,
 • residing in Israel or Palestine,
 • having ethnic, familial, or cultural ties to the Israel and Palestine region,
 • demonstrating fluency in English for effective communication of their lived experiences

Confidentiality: Your privacy is of utmost importance. Your responses to interview questions will be kept strictly confidential. At no point will your actual identity be disclosed. To further ensure anonymity, you will be assigned a random numerical code, and pseudonyms will be used when reporting results. Information gathered from interviews and other collected data will be promptly erased once transcribed. Until transcription, the recording will be kept in a flash-drive that will be kept in a locked drawer. The transcripts, without any identifying information, will be retained until the research is concluded.

Risks and Benefits: There are no risks for you when you participate in this study as we are only asking about your lived experiences and opinions and the data will be coded and analyzed anonymously. Participants will benefit from the opportunity to be heard, empowered, and seen, providing a platform for healing and expression. The research also holds societal benefits by contributing to a deeper understanding of the conflict. Acknowledging participants' perspectives may lay the groundwork for future generations, empowering a culture of remembrance and understanding, ultimately contributing to long-term healing and reconciliation within the affected communities.

If you would like to contribute images/photos related to the current war while ensuring your anonymity, you may share them with us. These images should not expose any identifying information such as individuals’ faces, ID numbers etc. Your contributions are appreciated and will be used solely for research purposes.

Compensation: You will not be paid to take part in this study.

Agreement: By participating in this study, you acknowledge that the nature and purpose of the research have been adequately explained. Your voluntary involvement is appreciated, and you retain the right to withdraw from the study at any point without incurring any penalty or consequence. Please feel free to contact the principal investigator if you have any questions or concerns regarding your participation in this study.

Principal Investigator (P.I.): Dr. Hilal Peker (hpeker@fgcu.edu)
Co-P.I.: Serenaty Lumpkin (slumpkin9945@eagle.fgcu.edu)


Contact Information for Questions about Your Rights as a Research Participant: If you have any questions about your rights as a subject/participant in this research, or if you feel you have been placed at risk, you can contact the Human Subjects' Institutional Review Board through research@fgcu.edu or Sherry Alexander, Office of Research & Sponsored Programs, at sralexander@fgcu.edu.

Please click below to agree to participate in this study as a participant. If you don't want to participate in this study, you may quit the web page at any time. Thank you!