Omar Bennett
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been an ongoing issue for decades, with the two sides experiencing violent flare-ups and periods of relative calm. The conflict centres around the question of whether Palestinians should be able to form their own separate country within a part of the land that is currently controlled by Israel. The situation is further complicated by the presence of Hamas, a Palestinian militant group that has engaged in hostage-taking and terrorist attacks, and the involvement of external powers such as the United States, which has historically played a mediating role in the conflict. Recent years have seen an increase in diplomatic efforts to improve economic cooperation and trade between the two regions, with some success. However, the conflict continues to be a source of tension and instability in the region, with periodic outbreaks of violence.
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What You'll Learn
The two-state solution
The first proposal for the creation of separate Jewish and Arab states in the British Mandate of Palestine was made by the British Peel Commission in 1937. However, the United Nations-proposed partition plan of 1947 was rejected by the Arabs, who launched attacks on Jewish cities and settlements. This marked the beginning of the Arab-Israeli War, which resulted in Israel gaining some territory that had been granted to Palestinian Arabs under the UN resolution. Since then, Israel has steadily expanded its control over Palestinian territories, and the conflict has continued with varying levels of intensity.
Despite the lack of progress in negotiations, diplomatic efforts have centred around realising a two-state solution. In 2024, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and Norway's Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide co-chaired a meeting of representatives of about 90 countries to launch a global alliance for a two-state solution. The United Nations Secretary-General has also emphasised that a lasting end to the conflict can only come through a two-state solution, and the United States remains committed to a negotiated two-state solution.
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The one-state solution
The "one-state solution" is a proposed resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that involves the creation of a unitary, federal, or confederate Israeli-Palestinian state. This new state would encompass the present territory of Israel, the West Bank (including East Jerusalem), and possibly the Gaza Strip and Golan Heights. The one-state solution aims to address core issues such as the right of return for Palestinian refugees, the status of Jerusalem, and the question of settlements.
Proponents of the one-state solution argue that it is a more just and equitable way to resolve the conflict compared to the two-state solution. They believe that a unitary state would guarantee equal national rights for both Israelis and Palestinians and ensure democracy and equal citizenship rights for all, regardless of ethnicity or religion. Additionally, the one-state solution would allow Palestinian citizens of Israel to sustain their Israeli citizenship, which is not possible under the two-state solution due to the proposed annexation of Palestinian-majority areas to the new Palestinian state.
However, the one-state solution has its challenges and objections. One key concern is the fear of the dissolution of Israel as a Jewish state and the potential displacement of Israelis. Opponents argue that a one-state solution is incompatible with Zionism, as it would result in Jews likely becoming the minority in a binational state. This concern is particularly salient among Israelis, with polls showing that a majority of Jewish Israelis prefer the two-state solution.
Despite the debates and objections, the one-state solution has gained traction in academic circles and among some Israelis and Palestinians. It represents a paradigm shift that addresses the historical record of dispossession and displacement, and it offers a potential path to peace by reimagining the conflict as internal challenges of a unified polity rather than a bilateral conflict. While the one-state solution remains outside the range of official diplomatic efforts, it provides a radical and increasingly considered alternative to the seemingly intractable two-state solution.
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The US as a mediator
The United States has played a mediating role between Israel and Palestine, but its strong alignment with Israel has stripped it of credibility in the eyes of the Palestinians. The US has provided Israel with $134.7 billion in military aid to date, with a further $38 billion pledged over the next decade. In 2019, President Donald Trump decided to cut off US funding for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA). Trump also unconditionally supported Israel and recognized Jerusalem as its capital.
The US has focused on high-profile diplomatic initiatives that aim for a permanent agreement in which the United States is the central mediator. However, experts argue that the US must focus on taking tangible steps, both on the ground and diplomatically, that will improve freedom and prosperity. A report authored by current and former US and Israeli military officials and negotiators argues that well-thought-out security measures in the context of the two-state solution can provide both Israelis and Palestinians with a degree of security.
The Biden administration has criticized the Trump plan for an Israeli-Palestinian settlement as one-sided and wholly unrealistic, advocating for a more even-handed approach that would build momentum toward a two-state solution. However, Biden's focus on COVID-19, domestic crises, and competition with China may limit the resources the administration can devote to the conflict.
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Israel's security concerns
One of Israel's primary security measures is the "security fence," which is intended to separate Israeli and Palestinian territories and prevent attacks by Palestinian extremists. Israel also seeks to maintain control over different security forces in the region and promote transparent decision-making processes to enhance its security.
The conflict with Palestine and other regional actors, such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran, has led to military engagements and rocket attacks that threaten Israel's security. There is a risk of regional spillover, particularly with Lebanon and Syria, which poses a danger to stability and increases the potential for miscalculation and devastating consequences.
To address these security concerns, experts have proposed well-thought-out security measures within the context of a two-state solution. These measures aim to provide equal or greater security for both Israelis and Palestinians while respecting Palestinian needs for sovereignty and dignity.
Additionally, Israel desires a strong economic system for Palestine and has taken steps to expand Palestine's trade system, encourage Palestinian investment, and facilitate bilateral trade. However, the conflict over land claims and the inability of both sides to acknowledge each other's claims have hindered progress toward a stable and secure relationship.
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Water resources
After the six-day war in 1967, Israel occupied the West Bank and Gaza Strip and nationalised the water resources of the occupied territories. Israel has been restricting Palestinian water use by requiring Palestinians to obtain authorisation for any water development constructions and by imposing quotas on their water consumption. As a result, Palestinians in the occupied territories suffer from water shortages, with an average daily consumption of 73 litres per person, well below the World Health Organization's recommended minimum of 100 litres per day. In contrast, Israeli settlers enjoy abundant water supplies, with a daily allocation three to five times higher than that of Palestinian households.
Israel's discriminatory policies and control over Palestinian water resources have led to accusations of "theft" and "weaponizing" water as a means of control and pursuing political objectives. The over-pumping of aquifers by Israel has also contributed to water pollution and environmental degradation, affecting both Israelis and Palestinians. Despite efforts in the 1990s to establish peace and joint protection of water resources, political antagonism has hindered cooperation.
In recent years, Israel has made strides in addressing its water scarcity through breakthroughs in desalination technology, reducing its dependence on freshwater resources. However, the situation in Palestinian territories, particularly Gaza, remains dire, with water shortages and contamination affecting the population's health and well-being. While agreements like the 1994 peace treaty between Israel and Jordan, and the introduction of the Green Blue Deal in 2020, have shown potential for cooperation, Palestinian organisations have protested their exclusion from high-level regional agreements.
Overall, the water resources issue between Israel and Palestine remains a complex and challenging aspect of their diplomatic relations, with water scarcity and unequal access contributing to social and political tensions.
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Frequently asked questions
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is ongoing, with the latest flare-up in violence posing a significant challenge to the Biden administration's foreign policy. The situation is further complicated by the fragile political landscape in Israel and the preoccupation of the United States with other pressing issues such as COVID-19 and competition with China.
The United States has historically been a strong supporter of Israel, providing significant foreign aid, including military assistance. The U.S. was the first country to recognize Israel upon its founding in 1948. However, there have been calls for the U.S. to change its approach and focus on tangible steps to improve the situation on the ground and diplomatically.
There are intensive regional and international efforts to prevent another Israeli-Palestinian war. Egypt has played a crucial role in ending previous Israel-Gaza wars and continues to closely monitor the situation. The United States also seems to be carefully monitoring the situation, but its effectiveness in dealing with the conflict has been questioned.
