Emmanuel Kanellis POL278 42866618

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W/C: 1834
What are the main obstacles to peace between Israel and the Palestinians?
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict can be described as a clash of nationalisms. Both parties are
pursuing the end of a homeland, and one parties satisfaction of that end entails the exclusion of the
others nationalistic integrity.
1
This is because each party pursues this end with a disposition that can
be referred to as nationalistic absolutism. Each party has made land claims which are pursued with
an attitude that asserts that they are inalienably right, while the other is inalienably wrong.
2
In doing
so, no merit can be found in the claims of the other side, preventing the parties from realising the
necessity of compromise. As such, the attitudes and justifications made by each side are obstacles to
peace. In addition, one must consider the role of political realities, such as the corruption and
instability of Palestinian political entities and the influence of foreign nations. These realities further
undermine the negotiations between Israel and Palestine, ensuring the elusion of peace.
*
The issue of nationalistic absolutism can be seen in the contention that surrounds the
Palestinian right of return. This right would allow Palestinian victims and descendants of the 1948
displacement referred to as al-Nakba, almost 4.5 million Palestinians,
3
to return to their homes in
Israel.
4
The need to compensate for al-Nakba has been internationally recognised, through
mechanisms such as the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 194. However, while

1
Lerner, M 2003, Healing Israel/Palestine: A Path to Peace and Reconciliation, North Atlantic Books,
Berkeley, p. xi.
2
Ibid.
3
Said, E 2002, The End of the Peace Process, Granta Books, London, p. 342.
4
Alpher, J & Shikaki, K 1998, The Palestinian Refugee Problem and the Right of Return. [online] Available
from: <http://www.wcfia.harvard.edu/sites/default/files/WCFIA_98-07.pdf> [Accessed 29 April 2013].
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Palestinians are consumed with the objective of returning to their homeland,
5
the issue of the right
of return is not currently even on the negotiating table
6
for the Israelis. While relatively minor
concessions to placate Palestinian demands have been offered, the literal return of the 1948 refugees
is consistently denied.
7

The Israelis assert that allowing Palestinians to live in Israel will overwhelm and endanger
the nation.
8
This is reinforced by the conception that Palestinians are inherently Anti-Semitic and are
aiming to destroy Israel.
9
As such, the right of return is viewed as an attempt to erase the State of
Israel as a Jewish and Zionist state.
10
Even if the fear of annihilation is not evoked, many Israelis
claim that Israel must remain a Jewish state, rather than multicultural.
11
The Israelis also maintain a
strict adherence to their own interpretation of events that the Palestinians left Israel voluntarily.
12

In contrast, the Palestinians assert the supremacy of their interpretation of events,
emphasising that any other description is a travesty of the truth.
13
The Palestinians assert that a
wrong was done to them as a people with a natural right to live in their ancestral homeland.
14
Return
to said homeland is the only way to right that wrong.
15
The denial of this right has been indicative to

5
Rowley, CK & Taylor J 2006, The Israel and Palestine Land Settlement Problem, 1948-2005: An Analytical
History, Political Choice, Vol. 128, No. 1/2, p. 83.
6
Ibid.
7
Ibid.
8
Asser, M 2010, Obstacles to Arab-Israeli Peace: Palestinian Refugees BBC News, 2 September , viewed 21
April 2010, <http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-11104284>
9
Ibid.
10
Ravid, D & Lis J 2012, Likud officials call to omit Netanyahu's two-state declaration from party platform
Haaretz, 25 December, viewed 26 April 2013, <http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/likud-officials-call-to-
omit-netanyahu-s-two-state-declaration-from-party-platform.premium-1.489731>
11
Greenberg, J 1998, The World: Pursuing Peace; Netanyahu and His Party Turn Away from 'Greater Israel'
The New York Times, 22 November, viewed 26 April 2013,
<http://www.nytimes.com/1998/11/22/weekinreview/the-world-pursuing-peace-netanyahu-and-his-party-turn-
away-from-greater-israel.html?scp=4&sq=ariel%20sharon&st=nyt&pagewanted=1>
12
Lerner, M. op. cit. p. 71.
13
Said, E. op. cit. p. 341.
14
Khalidi, R 1992, Observations on the Right of Return, Journal of Palestine Studies, Vol. 21, No. 2, p. 29.
15
Ibid.
Emmanuel Kanellis POL278 42866618
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some Palestinians of Israels desire to establish an empire at the expense of Palestines existence.
16

This view is reinforced by the conception that the Israelites are Europeans introducing European
cultural assumptions, economic and political arrangements and thereby extending European
domination.
17

**
Another physical obstacle is Israels continued occupation and settlement of the territories
acquired in the aftermath of the Six Day War of 1967. Since 1990, the settler population in the
occupied territories has increased from under 200,000 to 600,000.
18
Continued settlement
development occurs despite Israels supposed commitment to ceasing expansion, as reflected in its
acceptance of the Annapolis Road Map in 2007. Such development has proved to be a physical
obstacle to peace, as reflected by President Mahmoud Abbas refusal to resume negotiations with
Israel without the precondition of a complete freeze of Israeli settlement development in March
2013.
19

The Israeli Likud contends that by divine right the lands between the Jordan River and the
Mediterranean Sea are Israeli, referred to as Eretz Yisreal.
20
This was affirmed by Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu in January 2013 when he expressed his commitment to Zionism and the

16
Henshaw, J 2002, Israel's Grand Design: Leaders Crave Area from Egypt to Iraq Media Monitors Network,
14 April, viewed 28 April 2013, <http://www.mediamonitors.net/johnhenshaw1.html>
17
Lerner, M. op. cit. p. xii
18
Khalidi, R 2013, Brokers of Deceit: How the U.S. Has Undermined Peace in the Middle East, Beacon Press,
Boston, p. xxxv.
19
Associated Press 2013, Palestinians Adamant on Settlements Boston Globe, 25 March, viewed 25 April
2013, <http://www.bostonglobe.com/news/world/2013/03/24/palestinians-cool-partial-settlement-
freeze/rxjkhTurSgsvWdYwkdZOKN/story.html>
20
Begin, Z 1991, The Likud Vision for Israel at Peace, Foreign Affairs, Vol. 70, No. 4, p. 24.
Emmanuel Kanellis POL278 42866618
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settlements."
21
Such commitment is not restricted to the Israeli right wing, reflected by the
construction of settlements during Labour regimes.
22
Israel also abides by its own interpretation of
UN Resolution 242, which allows it to legitimise their continued occupation in that the resolution
does not entail the removal of administration.
23
Further claims are made on the basis of national
interest such as the creation of cheap housing, employment and enhanced border security.
In contrast, the Palestinians assert their own cultural and religious claims over the occupied
territories.
24
This includes those of Palestinian Christians to the city of Bethlehem, where continued
Israeli settlement has restricted their rights to worship on sites such as Mar Elias.
25
Furthermore the
Palestinians view the presence of Israeli settlements as detrimental to the establishment of a cohesive
and unified Palestinian state in the West Bank. Particularly detrimental is Israeli control of roads
linking settlements in the West Bank. Lerner compares this to someone who has occupied your home
and then offers to return 90% of it to you, but insists on retaining control of the hallways.
26
The
Palestinian right wing, Hamas, goes so far as to assert that Israels continued occupation of Palestinian
lands merits its destruction. While Hamas and Palestines left wing, Fatah, differ in terms of their
methods, they both maintain a strong nationalistic commitment which contradicts that of Israel.

21
Johnson, R 2013, Netanyahu vows to not dismantle settlements Al Jazeera, 18 January, viewed 20 April
2013, <http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2013/01/201311884833316812.html>
22
Jewish Virtual Library, 2013. Labor Party: History & Overview. [online] Available from:
<http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Politics/labor.html > [Accessed 29 April 2013]
23
Begin, Z. op. cit. p. 25.
24
Awad, M & Said, A. 2010. Eight Steps to Israel-Palestinian Peace. [online] Available from :
<http://www.american.edu/sis/islamicpeacechair/upload/Eight-Steps-to-Israeli-Palestinian-Peace.pdf>
[Accessed April 22 2013].
25
Palestine Liberation Organization. 2012. Colonizing Christmas: Facts on Israeli Occupation and Bethlehem:
Negotiations Affairs Department.
26
Lerner, M. op. cit. p. 120.
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It is therefore evident that recognition and acceptance of the other sides claims is necessary to
overcome nationalistic supremacy and enable peace. Until then, peace agreements will remain in a
deadlock caused by the contradiction of Palestinian and Israeli nationalism.
27

***
Turning to the issue of political realities, the first to consider is the corrupt and instable nature
of Palestine governance. While the above information emphasised the necessity of compromise, it
does not follow that concession without consideration would create peace. Rather, as Edward Said
contends, it would be a protracted, disorderly, hypocritical and undignified surrender.
28
This was
especially the case in the 1990s in which concessions were made on the basis of how it benefited the
ruling elite, the Palestinian National Authority and its dominant party, Fatah. The acceptance of the
Oslo Accord of 1993 for instance, while granting sovereignty to the PNA, ignored the issues of Israeli
settlements, the right of return or the right to statehood. Allegations of corruption are given weight by
the belief held by Palestinians that Arafat, and his party as a whole, were corrupt.
29
Such allegations
of corruption are still thrown onto Fatah, as represented in Mahmoud Abbas elongated presidential
term.
30

The prevalence of corruption has led to the division between the Palestinian National
Authority.
31
The empowerment of Hamas at the expense of Fatah has increased instability within the
Palestinian political realm, creating further obstacles to peace. Namely that Israel refuses to negotiate

27
Said, E. op. cit. p. 344.
28
Ibid., p. 18.
29
Shikaki, K 2006, The Palestinian Elections: Sweeping Victory, Uncertain Mandate, Journal of Democracy
Vol. 17, No. 3, p. 122.
30
Erikson, R 2011, Profile: Fatah Palestinian Movement BBC News, 16 June, viewed 1 May 2013,
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-13338216>
31
Shchanzer, J 2008, Hamas vs. Fatah: The Struggle for Palestine, Palgrave MacMillan, New York, p. 92.
Emmanuel Kanellis POL278 42866618
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with the terrorist Hamas,
32
and the United States limiting the supply of vital aid on these same
grounds.
33
As such, Israel can postpone peace talks on these grounds. Thus we see the effect of
corruption and instability in negating peace. One should note the views of scholars such as Khalidi,
who claim that Israel has exacerbated the split between the two parties in order to maintain instability
within Palestine for the purpose of maintaining the status quo. Netanyahus assertion that
reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas will further deter negotiations gives weight to such views.
34

****
Another political reality that must be considered is that of foreign nations in exacerbating the
conflict. For instance, the US has consistently acted as an intermediary within the Palestinian and
Israeli peace process, assuming the title of the title of honest broker of peace.
35
However such a title
is a fallacy, as the US has consistently supported the Israelis nationalistic cause.
While such support can reflected through the military and financial aid Israel receives from
the US,
36
it is better construed from the statements made by US officials. In a letter sent to Ariel
Sharon in 2004, President George W. Bush stated that it would be unrealistic to expect that the
outcome of final status negotiations will be a full and complete return to the armistice lines of
1949.
37
As such, the Bush administration effectively supported Israels claim to settlements in
occupied territories. Presently, the Obama Administration has reverted from attempting to balance the
rights of both parties, to essentially affirming Israeli political ideology at an unprecedentedly high

32
Benari, E 2013, Netanyahu: No Negotiations with He Who Embraces Hamas Arutz Sheva, 15 January,
viewed 1 May 2013, <http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/164197#.UYI_t6JmjTo>
33
Schanzer, J. op. cit. p. 164.
34
Benari, E. op. cit.
35
Khalidi, R. op. cit . p. xviii
36
Gelvin, J 2007, The Israel-Palestine Conflict: One Hundred Years of War, Cambridge University Press,
Cambridge, p. 180.
37
The White House 2004, Letter From President Bush to Prime Minister Sharon, Office of the Press Secretary,
Washington.
Emmanuel Kanellis POL278 42866618
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level. This is reflected in Obamas address to the United Nations General Assembly, in which he
agreed that Israel was in a permanent state of threat, and affirmed that Americas commitment to
Israels security is unshakable.
38

In contrast, the US has often pressured the Palestinians into conceding to Israel. Said refers to
the conduct of the US during the Taba negotiations, in which the US consultant to the State
Department Dennis Ross made a threat to rescind $100 million in US aid if Arafat maintained his
objections to the agreement.
39
Supposedly President Richard Nixon stated that youve got to make
[the Palestinians] think that theres some motion...that were really doing our best with the Israelis.
As such, it has been claimed that the US has not acted as an impartial agent, but as Israels lawyer.
40

It should be noted that scholars who support this view are selective in their use of quotes, thereby
exaggerating the extent of US support towards Israel. Others have emphasised the helplessness of
the US in this matter, due fear of conflict with the Israeli government whose support is viewed as
strategically invaluable.
41
Regardless, the US impartiality in negotiations between Palestine and
Israel is tainted. So long as it acts as an intermediary between the two parties it effectively undermines
the peace process.
*****
Finally, the position of Arab nations such as Saudi Arabia is an inextricable obstacle to peace.
In regards to Saudi Arabia, the nations rhetoric reflects concern for the peace process, as reflected in

38
The White House 2011, Remarks by President Obama in Address to the United Nations General Assembly,
Office of the Press Secretary, Washington.
39
Said, E. op. cit. p. 17.
40
Miller, A.D. 2008, The Much Too Promised Land: Americas Elusive Search for Middle East Peace, Random
House, New York, p. 75.
41
Shalom, Z 2012, The United States and the Israeli Settlements: Time for a Change Strategic Assessment,
Vol. 15, No. 3, p. 79.
Emmanuel Kanellis POL278 42866618
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Abdullah al Sauds statements at the Aqaba Summit in June 2003. However Saudi policy essentially
complements that of the US, ensuring that support to Palestine never extends past lip service and the
status quo in negotiations is maintained. This is largely because the Saudi monarchy relies on the US
for military support.
42
As such, their policy is as supportive of Israel as that of the US. This is
reflected by the recently improved negotiations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, including speculated
cooperation in anti-Iranian operations.
43
Therefore the inability for Arab nations to act in support of
Palestine has maintained the status quo which is largely favourable towards Israel. This in turn makes
Israel less likely to compromise, creating an obstacle to peace.
In conclusion, we see how two competing nationalisms which are based on supposedly
inalienable claims have ensured the persistence of conflict between Israel and Palestine. In this sense,
the conflict will only be diminished by the recognition and acceptance of the other partys claims,
perpetuating a compromise. At the same time, the political instability faced by the latter party must be
remedied, and the role of external forces in exacerbating the conflict must be realised and a change of
policy on behalf of those nations must occur. In doing this, negotiations towards real peace can occur,
and a compromise that suits both parties can be reached.





42
Khalidi, R. op. cit. p. xxvi.
43
Gedalyahu, T Saudi Arabia Funds Mossad Anti-Iran Operations Arutz Sheva, 28 October, viewed 1 May
2013, <http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/161407#.UYDpOaJmjTo>.
Emmanuel Kanellis POL278 42866618
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Bibliography
Books:
Gelvin, J 2007, The Israel-Palestine Conflict: One Hundred Years of War, Cambridge University
Press, Cambridge.
Khalidi, R 2013, Brokers of Deceit: How the U.S. Has Undermined Peace in the Middle East, Beacon
Press, Boston.
Lerner, M 2003, Healing Israel/Palestine: A Path to Peace and Reconciliation, North Atlantic Books,
Berkeley.
Miller, A.D. 2008, The Much Too Promised Land: Americas Elusive Search for Middle East Peace,
Random House, New York.
Ross, Dennis 2004, The Missing Peace: The Inside Story of the Fight for Middle East Peace, Farrar,
Straus and Giroux, New York.
Said, E 2002, The End of the Peace Process, Granta Books, London.
Shchanzer, J 2008, Hamas vs. Fatah: The Struggle for Palestine, Palgrave MacMillan, New York
Journal Articles:
Begin, Z 1991, The Likud Vision for Israel at Peace, Foreign Affairs, Vol. 70, No. 4
Khalidi, R 1992, Observations on the Right of Return, Journal of Palestine Studies, Vol. 21, No. 2
Emmanuel Kanellis POL278 42866618
10

Rowley, CK & Taylor J 2006, The Israel and Palestine Land Settlement Problem, 1948-2005: An
Analytical History, Political Choice, Vol. 128, No. 1/2, p. 83.
Shalom, Z 2012, The United States and the Israeli Settlements: Time for a Change Strategic
Assessment, Vol. 15, No. 3
Shikaki, K 2006, The Palestinian Elections: Sweeping Victory, Uncertain Mandate, Journal of
Democracy Vol. 17, No. 3
Newspaper Articles:
Asser, M 2010, Obstacles to Arab-Israeli Peace: Palestinian Refugees BBC News, 2 September ,
viewed 21 April 2010, <http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-11104284>
Associated Press 2013, Palestinians Adamant on Settlements Boston Globe, 25 March, viewed 25
April 2013, <http://www.bostonglobe.com/news/world/2013/03/24/palestinians-cool-partial-
settlement-freeze/rxjkhTurSgsvWdYwkdZOKN/story.html>
Benari, E 2013, Netanyahu: No Negotiations with He Who Embraces Hamas Arutz Sheva, 15
January, viewed 1 May 2013,
<http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/164197#.UYI_t6JmjTo>
Erikson, R 2011, Profile: Fatah Palestinian Movement BBC News, 16 June, viewed 1 May 2013,
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-13338216>
Gedalyahu, T Saudi Arabia Funds Mossad Anti-Iran Operations Arutz Sheva, 28 October, viewed 1
May 2013, <http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/161407#.UYDpOaJmjTo>.
Emmanuel Kanellis POL278 42866618
11

Greenberg, J 1998, The World: Pursuing Peace; Netanyahu and His Party Turn Away from 'Greater
Israel' The New York Times, 22 November, viewed 26 April 2013,
<http://www.nytimes.com/1998/11/22/weekinreview/the-world-pursuing-peace-netanyahu-and-his-
party-turn-away-from-greater-israel.html?scp=4&sq=ariel%20sharon&st=nyt&pagewanted=1>
Henshaw, J 2002, Israel's Grand Design: Leaders Crave Area from Egypt to Iraq Media Monitors
Network, 14 April, viewed 28 April 2013, <http://www.mediamonitors.net/johnhenshaw1.html>
Johnson, R 2013, Netanyahu vows to not dismantle settlements Al Jazeera, 18 January, viewed 20
April 2013, <http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2013/01/201311884833316812.html>
Ravid, D & Lis J 2012, Likud officials call to omit Netanyahu's two-state declaration from party
platform Haaretz, 25 December, viewed 26 April 2013,
<http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/likud-officials-call-to-omit-netanyahu-s-two-state-
declaration-from-party-platform.premium-1.489731>
Online Documents:
Alpher, J & Shikaki, K 1998, The Palestinian Refugee Problem and the Right of Return. [online]
Available from: <http://www.wcfia.harvard.edu/sites/default/files/WCFIA_98-07.pdf> [Accessed 29
April 2013].
Awad, M & Said, A. 2010. Eight Steps to Israel-Palestinian Peace. [online] Available from :
<http://www.american.edu/sis/islamicpeacechair/upload/Eight-Steps-to-Israeli-Palestinian-Peace.pdf>
[Accessed April 22 2013].
Government Publications:
Emmanuel Kanellis POL278 42866618
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Palestine Liberation Organization. 2012. Colonizing Christmas: Facts on Israeli Occupation and
Bethlehem: Negotiations Affairs Department.
The White House 2011, Remarks by President Obama in Address to the United Nations General
Assembly, Office of the Press Secretary, Washington.
The White House 2004, Letter From President Bush to Prime Minister Sharon, Office of the Press
Secretary, Washington.
Websites:
Jewish Virtual Library, 2013. Labor Party: History & Overview. [online] Available from:
<http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Politics/labor.html > [Accessed 29 April 2013]