The Israel-Palestinian Conundrum: Cutting the Gordian Knot

Middle East Policy, 2000

In this concept paper, the Joint Working Group on Israeli-Palestinian Relations-a group of influential Palestinians and Israelis that has been meeting periodically since 1994 to discuss final-status issues in the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations-explores the future relationship between the two societies after the signing of a peace agreement. The paper considers a relationship based on total separation between the two societies and states as neither realistic nor desirable. Instead, it envisages a future relationship based on mutually beneficial cooperation in many spheres, conducive to stable peace, sustainable development, and ultimate reconciliation. The basis for such a relationship must be laid in the process and outcome of the final-status negotiations and in the patterns of cooperation established on the ground.Efforts at cooperation and reconciliation cannot be pursued apart from their political context. The paper argues that the only feasible political arrangement on which a cooperative relationship can be built is a two-state solution, establishing a genuinely independent Palestinian state alongside of Israel. The resolution of final-status issues must be consistent with the sovereignty, viability, and security of both states.The paper then proceeds to describe several models for the relationship between the two states and societies. It advocates a model of close cooperation, but proposes that this relationship be built in stages. The scope and speed of expanding and institutionalizing cooperative activities must be determined by experience-by the extent to which such activities meet the needs of both parties, enhance mutual trust, and reduce inequalities between the parties.Finally, the paper discusses three avenues for promoting a cooperative relationship based on equality, reciprocal benefit, and mutual trust and respect: the development of functional ties and civil-society institutions across national borders; programs directed toward attitude change and stereotype reduction; and efforts to close the economic and political gap between the two societies.

In light of the increasing unlikelihood of a two-state solution, several integrative solutions have been proposed as alternative visions for settling the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Offering a nuanced conceptual map of the various proposals for inclusive, egalitarian political visions for all the inhabitants of Israel/Palestine, this article identifies three strands of integrative approaches: liberal, binational, and shared sovereignty. It critically assesses the strengths and weaknesses of these integrative strands and evaluates integrationists' preference for historical reconciliation as an alternative framework to the peacemaking discourse of the Oslo peace process.

Jurnal Ilmu Sosial dan Ilmu Politik

Of all the inter-state conflict currently happening in different regions of the world, the Israel- Palestine conflict has stood the test of time to become one of the longest and most impactful. Despite numerous attempts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, both parties have persisted, mainly showing a lack of compromise and commitment. This paper aims to analyze the underlying reason to the various unsuccessful attempts of Israel-Palestine conflict resolutions. This paper argues that there are four core issues that become object of negotiation in each attempt: borders, security, Jerusalem, and refugees. This paper assesses each party’s stances on these four issues and how they shape the negotiation process. This is done through an empirical generalization by inductive methodology, using library studies as a data collection method. This paper concludes that there should be an ideational change to compromise within the domestic politics of both parties to make future conflict ...

2009

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is the longest ongoing conflict since the end of World War II. Many peacemaking initiatives that have been approached in the past were doomed to failure. One can wonder if there is really any hope for peace in this conflict. This article analyzes the conflict from a systemic standpoint of view by addressing the parties in conflict, the issues and the features deconstruction that perpetuate the fighting, the history development of this conflict with the main roots and proxies, and the conflict resolution opportunities and restrictions. The analysis also incorporates the classical timeline tool and the stakeholders map.

Quest n. 5, 2013

Abstract Israel and its Palestinian Predicament This book is published as part of the strategic thinking project led by the I’lam Center in Nazareth and in cooperation with the Oxford Research Group in London and the Palestinian Strategic Thinking Group in Ramallah. The book follows two previous strategic reports that were published by the I’lam Center in 2016 and 2018, aiming to expand strategic thinking about the complex reality of the relationship between Israel, the Palestinian national movement, Palestinian citizens of the state and the broader Arab surroundings. The main aim of the project in which this manuscript has been developed is to search for and propose the most constructive and effective ways to deal with the complex conflictual relationship between Israel and its Palestinian and Arab neighbors. The book is composed of position papers that were designed to enhance critical and reflective thinking about in-depth processes in Jewish and Palestinian societies in Israel. Despite the lack of symmetry between these two societies, and although the power structure of the State of Israel promotes the common good of Jewish society – it is important to point out the linkage between social, economic and political processes in Jewish and Palestinian societies in Israel, and their heavy implications. Expanding our horizons by focusing on the developments of recent decades in these two societies, confined in a long-term conflict, we may be able to draw the attention of decision makers and create a change, even a minor one, in the public consciousness of Israeli society and its various components.

2010