Territorial disputes often ignite conflict due to two powerful forms of attachment: tangible material value and intangible symbolic meaning. This article tackles the methodological challenge of distinguishing between these motivations using survey experiments conducted among Israeli populations.

Surveys & Experiments:

* Conducted in Israel

* Employed survey experiment methodology

Key Findings:

* A significant portion of Jewish citizens attach symbolic importance to the West Bank, regardless of their political leaning (including moderate-right and centrist voters).

* This broad-based symbolic attachment substantially constrains leaders' negotiation space for resolving conflicts.

This Means That:

These findings demonstrate how widespread intangible bonds within a population can hinder practical solutions in politically charged territorial debates.