The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: A History of Failed Peace Processes

Decisions and Agreements

• Mutual recognition: Recognition between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).
• Palestinian autonomy and the Palestinian National Authority: Establishment of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) to govern parts of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
• Creation of the Palestinian police: Formation of a Palestinian police force responsible for security in areas under PNA control.
• Division of the West Bank:
  • Zone A: Full Palestinian control of cities and some agrarian areas (3%).
  • Zone B: Mixed control, with Palestinian administration but Israeli military presence (25%).
  • Zone C: Full Israeli control, including the most fertile territories and Israeli settlements (72%).
• Major unresolved issues: Jerusalem, refugees, and settlements were left for future negotiations.
• 1994 Oslo Accords Nobel Prize: Yasser Arafat, Yitzhak Rabin, and Shimon Peres were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts in the Oslo Accords.
• 2003 Road Map for Peace: A plan backed by Russia, the European Union, and the United States aimed at a two-state solution by 2005. It required the PNA to commit to fighting terrorism, but it ultimately failed.

Reasons for Failure

• Extremist groups: Violence and influence from extremist groups on both sides hindered progress. The assassination of Yitzhak Rabin by a Jewish fundamentalist in 1995 exemplifies this challenge.
• Political shifts in Israel: The rise of right-wing parties like Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party in 1996 led to a hardening of Israeli positions.
• Palestinian divisions: Internal divisions within the Palestinian leadership, particularly between Fatah and Hamas, created challenges for negotiations.
• Limited US pressure on Israel: The strong influence of the pro-Israel lobby in the United States limited the US government's willingness to exert pressure on Israel for concessions.

Consequences of Failure

• Expansion of Israeli settlements: The number of Israeli settlers in the West Bank continued to grow, reaching an estimated 750,000 by 2014. This expansion further complicated the possibility of a two-state solution.
• Continued conflict and violence: The failure of peace processes contributed to ongoing cycles of violence, including the Second Intifada (2000-2005), the 2006 Lebanon War, and military operations in the Gaza Strip.
• Construction of the Israeli West Bank barrier: Starting in the early 2000s, Israel constructed a separation barrier in the West Bank, citing security concerns. The barrier, however, has been criticized for its impact on Palestinian land and movement.

The Path Forward

Despite the failures, the Camp David Accords (1978) demonstrated that negotiations can pave the way for peace. Achieving a lasting solution requires:

• Guaranteed security for Israel: Addressing Israel's security concerns and ending terrorism are crucial.
• Acceptance of a Palestinian state: Israel must accept the legitimacy of a Palestinian state and address its implications, including halting settlement expansion, resolving the refugee issue, and determining the status of Jerusalem.
• Stronger international involvement: Increased international pressure, particularly from the United States, is essential to push for a negotiated settlement.