Ms Khyati Singh1
1Jawaharlal Nehru University, India
Biography:
Khyati Singh is a PhD Scholar at Jawaharlal Nehru University's Centre for United States Studies, School of International Studies. A Gold Medallist in her master’s in political science with specialisation in International Studies from JNU, she brings extensive research experience from prestigious institutions like the Centre for Air Power Studies and MP-IDSA. Her research focuses on international relations, cybersecurity, and strategic studies, with numerous published articles on topics ranging from IR theories, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and strategy.
Abstract:
This paper examines the Israel-Palestine separation wall through a constructivist theoretical framework, analysing how shifting social constructions of security and identity have influenced both its physical manifestation and symbolic meaning. While realist interpretations emphasise the wall's role in territorial security, this research argues that the barrier's significance extends beyond its material presence to embody competing narratives of security, sovereignty, and community identity.
The study investigates several key research questions: How do local communities on both sides socially construct and reconstruct meanings associated with the separation wall? To what extent have grassroots artistic interventions and civil society initiatives transformed the wall's symbolic significance? How do these evolving interpretations challenge or reinforce traditional security narratives?
The primary hypothesis suggests that the wall's meaning and impact are not fixed by its physical presence but are continuously negotiated through social interactions, cultural practices, and community initiatives. For instance, the transformation of sections into artistic spaces, sites of protest, and zones of cultural exchange demonstrates the wall's mutable significance despite its imposing physical structure.
Drawing from case studies of cross-community initiatives, peace-building projects, and artistic interventions, this research concludes that constructivist analysis reveals important dimensions of border walls that extend beyond traditional security frameworks. The findings suggest that understanding the social construction of border barriers is crucial for developing more effective approaches to conflict resolution and community reconciliation. This perspective offers insights into how physical barriers can be reimagined as spaces for dialogue and transformation rather than solely as instruments of separation.