First: The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is an ongoing dispute between the
State of Israel and the Palestinians. It also forms part of the wider
Arab-Israeli conflict. Essentially it is a dispute between two national
identities with claims over the same area of land. Many attempts have been made
to broker a "two state solution," which would entail the creation of an
independent Palestinian state alongside Israel. At present, the vast majority of
Israelis and Palestinians, according to many major polls, agree that a two state
solution is the best way to end the conflict.[1][2] Most Palestinians view the
West Bank and Gaza Strip as constituting the area of their future state, a view
also accepted by most Israelis.[3] A handful of academics advocate a one-state
solution, whereby all of Israel, the Gaza Strip, and West Bank would become a
bi-national state with equal rights for all.[4]5] However, there are significant
areas of disagreement over the shape of any final agreement, and also regarding
the level of credibility each side sees in the other in upholding basic
commitments.
There are several domestic and international actors involved in the conflict.
The direct negotiating parties are the Israeli government led by Prime Minister
Binyamin Netanyahu and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), headed by
Mahmoud Abbas. The official negotiations are mediated by an international
contingent known as the Quartet on the Middle East (the Quartet), consisting of
the United States, Russia, the European Union, the United Nations, and
represented by a special envoy, currently Tony Blair. The Arab League is another
important actor, which has proposed an alternative peace plan. Egypt, a founding
member of the Arab League, has historically been a key participant.
Since 2006, the Palestinian side has been fractured by conflict between the
two major factions: Fatah, the largest party, and Hamas, an Islamist militant
group. As a result, the territory controlled by the Palestinian National
Authority (the Palestinian interim government) is split between Fatah in the
West Bank, and Hamas in the Gaza strip. This has proved problematic as Hamas is
considered a terrorist organization by Israel and many other countries[6 which
means that despite the fact it won the Palestinian elections of 2006, it has not
been allowed to participate in official negotiations. The most recent round of
peace negotiations began at Annapolis, USA in November, 2007. These talks aim to
have a final resolution by the end of 2008.[7] The parties agree there are six
core, or 'final status,' issues which need to be resolved[8]: Jerusalem,
refugees, settlements, security, borders and water. These issues are discussed
at length below.
Within Israeli and Palestinian society, the conflict generates a wide variety
of views and opinions (see also Israeli and Palestinian views of the peace
process). This serves to highlight the deep divisions which exist not only
between Israelis and Palestinians, but also amongst themselves. A hallmark of
the conflict has been the level of violence witnessed for virtually its entire
duration. Fighting has been conducted by regular armies, paramilitary groups,
and terror cells. Casualties have not been restricted to the military, with a
large loss of civilian life on both sides.
Please brush up on the History of the area
Please brush up on the History of the area
1 comment:
I see little happening here until hard right Netanyahu is out of power. Even his own generals question his ideas and motives. They are smart enough to know not to bomb Iran as much as our right wing would love them to do that.
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