A no man’s land – social work in ‘in-between’ conflict settings: Ethical challenges and dilemmas in Kufr Aqab

Abstract

In this article, we draw upon the context of Kufr Aqab – a ‘no-man’s land’ neither controlled by the Palestinian Authority nor Israel – to demonstrate the complex and multifaceted ethical dilemmas faced by social workers practising in ‘in-between’ conflict settings. Ethical challenges relate to social workers’ safety and security, as well as their capacity to deliver meaningful change. We argue that despite the challenging and often violent environments in which they work, social workers demonstrate important competencies to overcome these dilemmas by drawing upon and utilizing personal and community resources. We highlight calls to action for both social work practitioners and researchers.