Strategic depoliticisation: Shared society organisations amidst geopolitical deadlock

Civil society organisations are traditionally viewed as complementary actors to diplomatic peace processes. However, their role in situations of geopolitical deadlock remains understudied. This article examines the strategies of shared society organisations in Jerusalem in the post-Oslo era (2005–present), a period characterised by the absence of political negotiations. Based on surveys of 42 organisations and 12 in-depth interviews with organisational leaders, the findings reveal that shared society organisations in Jerusalem primarily focus on intergroup encounters to build intercommunity relationships and shared urban identity. Notably, these organisations employ strategic depoliticisation, deliberately avoiding structural conflict issues to maintain legitimacy and operational capacity. This study contributes to understanding how civil society organisations navigate protracted conflicts when traditional peace-building paradigms are ineffective.