Malcolm Rivera
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 an independent country within a region currently controlled by Israel. The situation is complex, with deep-rooted ideological differences and competing claims to the same land. The conflict has resulted in severe consequences for Palestine, hindering its economic development and causing a humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, where Israel has imposed military rule. Despite the challenges, there have been instances of cooperation and joint business ventures between Israelis and Palestinians, and some experts advocate for a two-state solution as the path to stability.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nature of the relationship | Conflict over land and self-determination within the territory of the former Mandatory Palestine |
| History of the conflict | The battle over the land dates back to before 1948, with the rise of Zionism in the late 19th century in Europe, a movement that aimed to establish a Jewish state through the colonization of Palestine. |
| In 1948, Palestine was established on most of the former mandate's territory, and the Gaza Strip and the West Bank were controlled by Egypt and Jordan respectively. | |
| Since the 1967 Six-Day War, Israel has been occupying the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, considered the longest military occupation in modern history. | |
| Current situation | The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is an ongoing military and political conflict with key aspects including the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, the status of Jerusalem, Israeli settlements, borders, security, water rights, the permit regime, Palestinian freedom of movement, and the Palestinian right of return. |
| International involvement | The United States has historically played a central role in mediating the conflict, but there have been calls for a shift in approach towards tangible steps that improve freedom and prosperity. Egypt and Jordan have also been involved in diplomatic efforts to avoid another war. |
| Economic relations | In 2011, bilateral trade between Israel and the Palestinian-ruled areas reached $4.3 billion, with Israeli exports to the PA amounting to $3.5 billion and Palestinian exports to Israel at $816 million. |
| Israel desires a strong economic system for Palestine and has taken steps to expand Palestine's trade system, including import/export passages, information, specific economic sectors, and transportation. | |
| Water resources | The Mountain Aquifer and the Jordan River are the main water sources for both Israel and Palestine, with the aquifer providing most of Israel's water production. |
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What You'll Learn
The role of the United States in mediating the conflict
The United States has historically played a significant role in mediating the conflict between Israel and Palestine, but its approach has been the subject of much debate and criticism. The Biden administration has faced a challenge in striking a balance in its response to the conflict, with some accusing the US of favouring Israel too much and others criticising support for Israel's military campaign.
Public opinion in the US regarding the conflict is divided. According to a Pew Research Center survey from February 2024, 22% of US adults believe Biden is favouring the Israelis too much, 16% think he is favouring the Palestinians too much, and 21% feel he is striking the right balance. A plurality of 40% are unsure. There are generational differences in these views, with younger Americans more likely to say Biden leans too far towards Israel, and older Americans more inclined to see him as either balanced or favouring the Palestinians.
The US has been criticised for its support of Israel's military actions and its failure to sanction the country. This has led to a strong backlash, particularly among Muslim and Arab American communities, and calls for the government to follow laws such as the Leahy Law. There have also been resignations in protest, such as that of Tariq Habash, a policy advisor at the US Department of Education, who stated that he could not "represent an administration that systematically dehumanizes Palestinians and enables their ethnic cleansing."
On the other hand, there is also support for Israel within the US. A Quinnipiac study found that 76% of voters believed that supporting Israel is in the national interest of the United States, and 64% approved of sending weapons and military equipment to the country.
The Biden administration has criticised the Trump plan for an Israeli-Palestinian settlement as one-sided and advocated for a more even-handed approach. However, there is scepticism about the likelihood of success for any comprehensive plans. The current focus of the US is on high-profile diplomatic initiatives aimed at achieving a permanent agreement, with the US as the central mediator. Experts argue that this approach needs to change and that the US should instead focus on tangible steps, both on the ground and diplomatically, to improve the situation.
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The two-state solution
The conflict between Israel and Palestine is rooted in contrasting views on who has a valid claim to the land. Jews believe that the Hebrew Bible promises them Palestine as their God-given land, and that modern-day Palestine was ancient Israel, giving them an ancient claim to the territory. On the other hand, Palestinian Arabs argue that their more recent control of the land means it should remain in their possession. This disagreement has resulted in years of violence and instability in the region.
Support for the two-state solution among Israelis and Palestinians has varied over time, with public opinion influenced by the specific wording of poll questions. Major points of contention include the precise boundaries of the two states, the status of Jerusalem, the Israeli settlements, and the right of return for Palestinian refugees. Despite these challenges, the two-state solution continues to be seen by many as the only way to end the conflict and ensure the legitimate aspirations of both Israelis and Palestinians are met. The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has emphasised that any rejection of the two-state solution must be firmly opposed, as it would indefinitely prolong the conflict.
While the two-state solution remains a focus of diplomatic efforts, alternatives have also emerged. These include proposals for a binational state, such as the Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's suggestion of a democratic referendum to determine the common fate of Israelis and Palestinians. However, no one-state approach has gained significant support, especially within the Arab world.
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Israeli military occupation of Palestinian territories
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is rooted in contrasting views on who has a valid claim to the land. According to Jews, the Hebrew Bible states that Palestine, which was ancient Israel, has been promised to them by God. However, Palestinian Arabs are unwilling to acknowledge this claim as they believe that because they were in most recent control of the land, it should stay in their possession. This conflict has resulted in years of violence and instability in the region.
In October 2023, the existing patterns of violence in the Occupied West Bank escalated, resulting in hundreds of Palestinian fatalities and injuries, as well as damage to Palestinian property. Settler attacks, carried out with the collaboration of Israeli forces, have resulted in the deaths of at least 25 Israelis and 828 Palestinians. Israeli forces have also been accused of using unnecessary and disproportionate force, including airstrikes and violent military tactics.
The Israeli government has imposed movement restrictions across the Occupied Palestinian Territories, particularly the 10-year-long Gaza blockade, which has severely impacted Palestinians' rights to health, livelihood, education, and family life. For instance, pregnant Palestinian women have been denied access to healthcare services, and approximately 500-700 children are arrested and prosecuted before military courts each year. The Israeli military closures, checkpoints, and roadblocks across the West Bank make daily tasks a constant struggle for Palestinians.
The Israeli military occupation has also resulted in the forced eviction and displacement of entire Palestinian communities, with tens of thousands of homes demolished, leaving thousands homeless. The UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in the OPT concluded that Israel has committed at least three of the constitutive acts of genocide in Gaza since October 2023. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has issued provisional measures that Israel must take to prevent genocide and allow necessary aid into Gaza, but Israel has consistently defied these orders.
The ongoing conflict poses a challenge to diplomacy in the region, with the Biden administration facing its first real test in foreign policy toward the conflict. While the focus has been on high-profile diplomatic initiatives mediated by the United States, experts argue that tangible steps on the ground and diplomatic measures are needed to improve the situation.
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Water resources and their political importance
Israel and Palestine have a complex and fraught relationship when it comes to water resources, which are scarce in the region and have long been a source of tension and conflict. The Jordan River, Lake Tiberias (also known as the Sea of Galilee), and underground aquifers are the main sources of water in the area. Both parties rely heavily on these shared water sources, and equitable distribution and management of these resources are critical to sustaining life and development in the region.
Israel has historically controlled and managed the majority of water resources in the region. After the 1967 war, Israel took control of the West Bank and the Jordan Valley, which contain the majority of the groundwater resources. This has led to accusations of water appropriation and unequal distribution, with Palestinians often receiving a disproportionately small share of the water. The Oslo II Accord, signed in 1995, was an attempt to address this issue by allocating water resources more equitably and providing for Palestinian water development. However, Israel still retains overall control and has been criticized for not fully implementing the agreement.
The issue of water is highly politicized, and access to water resources is often seen as a zero-sum game, with one side's gain seen as the other's loss. This has resulted in a highly contentious and often uncooperative dynamic between the two parties. Israel's settlement activity in the West Bank has further exacerbated the issue, as these settlements often receive preferential access to water, further limiting the amount available to Palestinians. The Palestinian Authority has limited authority over water resources and infrastructure, and their ability to develop new sources or manage existing ones is restricted.
The importance of water in the Israel-Palestine conflict cannot be overstated. Water scarcity and inequitable distribution have direct impacts on the lives and livelihoods of both Israelis and Palestinians. It affects everything from agriculture and industry to domestic use and sanitation. Moreover, water has become a symbol of the broader struggle for land and resources, and the perceived injustice of the current distribution fuels resentment and tensions. As such, finding a fair and sustainable solution to the water issue is seen as critical to any broader peace agreement.
Efforts to resolve the water dispute have largely focused on negotiating agreements and seeking technical solutions. International donors and organizations have played a significant role in funding and supporting these initiatives. While progress has been made in some areas, such as improving water infrastructure and management practices, the underlying political issues and power dynamics often hinder long-term solutions. A comprehensive and equitable resolution to the water dispute will likely require a broader political settlement that addresses the root causes of the conflict and establishes a framework for cooperative management of shared resources.
In conclusion, water resources are of critical importance to the diplomacy between Israel and Palestine. Finding a fair and sustainable solution to their shared water challenges is essential for promoting peace and stability in the region. This will require addressing the power imbalances, implementing existing agreements, and seeking cooperative management approaches that recognize the fundamental rights and needs of both parties. While water may be a source of conflict, it can also be an opportunity for collaboration and a pathway to building trust and mutual understanding.
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The role of non-state actors in negotiations
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been a prominent issue on the agenda of the European Union (EU) for decades, and it is considered one of the most important and controversial topics in EU foreign policy. While member states and EU institutions are the primary actors in the EU's policy-making process regarding this conflict, non-state actors (NSAs) have also played a significant role. NSAs are groups that are independent from the government but may receive public funding and have a relatively formal structure. They aim to influence the EU's policy-making process towards the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The EU's engagement with NSAs has become an integral part of its policymaking. In the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, NSAs include business groups, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and think tanks. These NSAs are involved in both the output and input sides of EU foreign policymaking. On the output side, they benefit from EU funding, participate in EU programs, and engage in dialogue forums focused on conflict resolution, human rights, and democracy improvement. On the input side, NSAs actively lobby and advocate for their goals and preferences, influencing EU external policies.
The role of NSAs in EU policymaking regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is complex. While they contribute to the formulation and evolution of EU external policies, their activities can also complicate the conflict. For example, Hamas, an Islamist political group, has co-opted the Palestinian cause, leading to the weakening of the Palestinian political ecosystem and affecting negotiation processes. Hamas's involvement has resulted in disproportionate responses from Israel's military, impacting the civilian population in Gaza.
Additionally, the EU's approach to the conflict is influenced by dynamics on the ground, the conflicting parties, and third actors such as the United States. The US, in particular, has been criticized for its one-sided approach favoring Israel, and there are calls for a more even-handed strategy that supports a two-state solution. The EU's focus on high-profile diplomatic initiatives mediated by the US has been questioned, with suggestions that a sustainable, limited, and steady-state approach is needed instead.
In conclusion, non-state actors play a significant role in negotiations between Israel and Palestine, influencing EU policymaking and shaping the dynamics of the conflict. Their involvement has both positive and negative impacts, and a comprehensive understanding of their role is essential for effective conflict resolution and the improvement of the situation on the ground.
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Frequently asked questions
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has recently been overcome by the worst violence since the 2014 Gaza war. The conflict has resulted in the deaths of over 40,000 Palestinians and 1,200 Israelis.
The United States has been criticised for its approach to the conflict, which has been focused on high-profile diplomatic initiatives that aim for a permanent agreement mediated by the US. The US has also been criticised for its military aid to Israel, which has soared to its highest in decades.
Egypt has been crucial in ending almost all the Israel-Gaza wars and has initiated diplomatic efforts to avoid another war. Egypt has continuously monitored the situation in the occupied territories, particularly in Gaza, and has stressed the importance of adhering to international law and providing protection for Palestinian civilians.
The two-state solution is a proposed resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that involves the creation of an independent Palestinian state alongside the State of Israel. This solution has been supported by the international community for decades and is based on United Nations Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338.
One of the main challenges is the volatile and unsustainable status quo between Israel and Palestine, which has resulted in successive wars. Additionally, there are political barriers on both sides, including the rivalry between Hamas and the Palestinian leadership in the West Bank, and the messy domestic political situation in Israel.
