Third space and spontaneous contact in a divided city: evidence from Jerusalem

This study examines the impact of spontaneous interactions between Jewish and Palestinian students in a divided city, focusing on how these interactions influence attitudes, feelings, and perceptions. Drawing on the contact hypothesis and third-place theory, which posit that interactions in neutral spaces can reduce prejudice, we contribute to ongoing debates surrounding these theories. Our research incorporates critical perspectives, acknowledging the potential for depoliticisation of space and conflict suppression in settler-colonial and divided cities. Using an online survey administered to 1,951 university students, we found that Jewish and Palestinian students who engage in spontaneous interactions with the other group during their studies exhibit more positive attitudes towards them. These findings highlight the importance of re-evaluating the concept of third places in divided cities, particularly in contexts marked by conflict and asymmetry. We conclude by offering practical recommendations based on our results.