Social Work, Intractable Conflict and Professionalism: A Case Study of Jewish-Israeli Social Work Practice

Abstract

AbstractSocial workers worldwide share a common framework and mission: to provide aid to those in need and promote social justice (Abramovitz, 1993; Healy, 2008). Yet, as an international profession, both global and local realities contribute to the ways in which social work is understood and practiced in particular cultural contexts. This dissertation addresses social work in Israel, where social workers are practicing within the unique context of an intractable political conflict. Despite the historical prevalence of political conflicts and wars, there is a lack of research examining how these conflicts affect social work practice (Campbell et al., 2018; Moshe-Grodofsky, 2019; Ramon, 2008). In this dissertation I explored the ways social work is understood and practiced considering the global and local realities of Jewish-Israeli social workers. I used narrative and life story methods to interpret individual life stories as they are set within collective political and professional contexts (Hammack, 2011; Leiblich et al., 1998; Linde, 1993). Sixteen Jewish-Israeli social workers participated in two zoom interviews. They related their professional life stories of practicing social work in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Three approaches to social work practice emerged: 1) few (3) participants focused only on a micro-level mental health approach; 2) some (5) participants prioritized a macro-centered social justice approach; and 3) many (8) were conflicted, expressing an ongoing tension between their perceived professional social justice mission, and their actual professional roles. The findings suggest that social work in Israel has shifted away from applying a person in environment perspective. Excluding political contexts from the assessment of individuals, communities and society has limited social workers’ ability to promote change. Recommendations for incorporating a politically-aware framework to social work practice, research and education, internationally, are discussed. Also discussed are the implications of local realities on social work as an international profession.