Due to the special circumstances the world is going through during the confrontation with Virus Corona (Covid-19),  Pal-Think For Strategic Studies has decided to discuss the best ways to manage conflicts expected to arise between family members while they are staying at their homes, hosting psychological and family counselor Jamila Al-Hasayneh via the radio program “Nonviolence: A Lifestyle”, which is implemented as part of the project “Enhancing The Culture of Non-violence”  by Pal-Think Strategic Studies and FXB France.

Speaking about the nature of the disputes and conflicts expected to arise during periods of quarantine, the guest of the meeting said that she had received many complaints and consultations from various family members, men and women, and children. The cases received revolved around grumbling at the new situation (COVID quarantine), and feeling frustrated about a lot of issues that the family members never used to confront. Being highlighted, there occurred a level of intensity and pressure amongst the family members. This all in all creates an atmosphere of bearing grudge and conflict.

She stated that there is a concept that must be observed during this emergency period (Quarantine), which is the comfort zone which is associated with the routine that we left compulsorily, realizing that perhaps because of the Gaza Strip’s exposure to many exceptional crises previously, it is anticipated to get used to and pass this stage more efficiently than the rest of the people of the world.

She emphasized the need to manage conflicts in a way that is free from violence, and to seek excuse for others mutually, especially as we are experiencing unnatural and emergent circumstances which it is expected to issue odd behaviors from individuals. This can be done by looking for nonviolent alternatives such as replacing the order form with the request form, activating dialogue and realizing the psychological situation that produced unhealthy and weird practices. Ms. Jamila explained that investing in the time of children and adolescents during this period is considered a golden pillar to prevent them from slipping into a square of odd behaviors, and to gain good habits and enhance a good lifestyle, and to learn and discover skills and create memories that can rebuild the identity of children and adolescents and their personalities, as well as, this can be an opportunity to create spaces for family dialogue, and to promote national and human values ​​for children through playing and stories.

As for adults, Ms. Jamila noted that this stage is golden in order to complete all postponed home projects taking into account the special situation the world is going through; we can practice meditation and reflection, and we can practice reading, and we can now practice and promote dialogue among us as adults. In addition, she discussed the necessity and importance of cultivating beams of hope and tranquility in the hearts of family members because this contributes in enhancing their psychological and health immunity, with the need to provide an appropriate environment at the psychological level and the level of basic needs for them, as well as their commitment to the guidance of the World Health Organization and the responsible bodies locally.