Palestine:  The  Invisible  Nation      

By  Sami  Abdelhalim    

                                           

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Thesis  topic:To  assess  and  describe  the  missing  elements  of  a  viable  Palestinian  state.      Index      Abstract…………………………………………………………………………………………...3      The  State………………………………………………………………………………………….4    History  of  the  Conflict……………………………………………………………………….6         The  Arab-­‐Israeli  War…………………………………………………………......7       After  1967……………………………………………………………………………..7     First  Intifada………………………………………………………………………….9     Peace  Talks……………………………………………………………………………9       Second  Intifada………………………………………………………………………10       Arafat  passes  Hamas  Elected………………………………………………….11     Split  with  Gaza………………………………………………………………………12       Egypt  Reconciliation………………………………………………………………12    Missing  Diplomatic  Elements…………………………………………………………..14       Arab  League  93’……………………………………………………………………18     Self  Determination………………………………………………………………..23     Talk  of  Peace……………………………………………………………………..….24    Occupation  Industry……………………………………………………………………..…25      Missing  Freedom  and  Dignity…………………………………………………………..28      

Psychological  Gap…………………………………………………………………29    

Gaza  Vs.  The  West  Bank………………………………………………………………..…31    The  United  Nations  and  Palestine……………………………………………………35    The  United  States  and  Palestine………………………………………………………39      The  Palestinian  Nation…………………………………………………………………...43    Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………….…46    

       

 

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Abstract    

  The  idea  of  a  sovereign  Palestinian  state  is  prominently  examined  in  detail,  still  this  

notion  never  crossed  into  reality  for  the  many  Palestinian  people  all  over  the  world  

awaiting  their  legitimate  right  to  call  their  native  country  home.  The  missing  elements  to  a  

Palestinian  state  are  discovered  through  my  experience  on  two  student  delegation  trips  

with  the  Olive  Tree  Initiative  (OTI)  organization  to  Israel,  the  Palestinian  Territories,  and  

Jordan  to  meet  and  interact  with  significant  actors  within  the  region.  Throughout  both  of  

these  trips,  I  have  accumulated  knowledge  from  over  120  different  experts  on  the  region.  

Separate  from  the  OTI  trips,  I  also  conducted  research  using  books,  novels  and  online  

articles,  for  better  clarification.  As  a  result  of  assessing  the  main  missing  elements  to  a  

Palestinian  state,  I  was  lead  to  discover  almost  all  of  the  elements  preventing  the  

Palestinian  state  are  man  made,  and  implemented  by  the  State  of  Israel  and  other  

significant  global  powers  and  institutions.  Although  the  Palestinian  state  has  yet  to  come  

into  existence,  I  was  pleased  to  discover  the  power  of  the  Palestinian  nation.  The  

Palestinian  struggle  has  created  a  new  meaning  to  the  Palestinian  nation,  strengthening  it  

with  many  bonds  and  networks  of  Palestinians  living  in  the  diaspora,  seeking  the  idea  of  a  

home  country.  The  Palestinian  state  must  continue  its  struggle  for  legitimacy,  however  the  

Palestinian  nation  may  be  obscure,  but  always  present.    

 

 

 

 

 

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The  State    

  In  order  to  understand  the  state,  it  is  necessary  to  first  understand  where  and  when  

the  state  was  born.  The  Peace  of  Westphalia   in  1648  produced  a  quest   to  “find  a  way  for  

independent   states,   each   enjoying   sovereignty   over   a   given   territory,   to   pursue   their  

interests  without  destroying  each  other  or  the  international  system  which  each  is  apart”.1  

This  treaty  introduced  a  new  form  of  political  order  throughout  Europe,   forming  “states”.  

The   treaty   made   it   possible   for   Nations   to   form   into   states   recognized   as   sovereign  

legitimate   countries.  2  The   formation   of   the   sovereign   state   was   one   that   recreated   the  

structure   of   the  world  we   live   in   today.   The   treaty   of  Westphalia  was   produced   to   gain  

peace   in   the   region,   however   after   its   creation   war,   between   these   states   continued,  

foreshadowing   future  conflicts.   It  was  no   longer  an  open  world  anymore,   rather  now  the  

world   is   reorganized   in   a   number   of   different   countries   and   sovereign   states.   Meant   to  

represent   the  people,  and  nations   in  different  parts  of   the  world.    The  nation-­‐state   is  our  

current  form  of  world  order  and  recognition;  however  its  flaws  between  the  first  and  the  

so-­‐called  third  world  are  continuously  more  evident.    

The   sovereign   states   is   widely   understood   and   accepted   within   the   international  

community,   that   in  order   for  an  entity  to  be  recognized  as  a  state,   it  must   first  meet   four  

core  requirements:  a  permanent  population,  defined  borders,  an  effective  government,  and  

the  capacity  to  enter  relations  with  foreign  governments.  3    

  These  core  state  qualifications  have  been  strived  for  and  achieved  by  over  193  fully  

recognized   sovereign   states   within   the   workings   of   the   United   Nations   as   of   2011.    

Although  many  states  today  can  be  lacking  defined  boarders  or  effective  government,  if  no  

one   in   the   international   community   is   present   to   apply   pressure   on   the   matter   it   goes  

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unnoticed.     Another   key   determining   factor   in   becoming   a   state   is   also   gaining   the  

acceptance  from  within  the  international  community.  In  the  case  of  creating  a  Palestinian  

state,  the  issue  was  one  of  the  first  topics  brought  to  the  newly  formed  United  Nations  in  

1947.  4  It  has  since  been  an  object  of  international  relations  and  international  law  since  the  

creation  of  the  state  of  Israel  in  1948.  5    

The   question   of   a   Palestinian   state   has   been   raised   numerous   times   by   the  

Palestinian  and   international   community;  however,   a   sovereign  Palestinian   state   still   has  

yet   to   come   into   full   existence.   Through  my   research   I  want   to   identify   the   key  missing  

elements  to  a  viable  and  successful  future  Palestinian  state.  In  order  to  assess  the  issue  of  a  

Palestinian   state   it   is   first   important   to   understand   the   long,   and   complex   history   of   the  

region  with  Israel.    

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History of the Conflict

Depending on whom you ask, the conflict can reach as far back as the late 19th century to

almost 2000 years ago. The research used in this thesis will focus on contemporary times starting

with the British Mandate of Palestine in 1922, which declared the creation of a future Palestinian

state open to all religions. 6 After the British Mandate of Palestine, and the outcome of World

War II, the result of the holocaust carried out by Hitler, and the Nazi regime created an ever-

lasting fear of oppression felt by Jewish people across the world. During this time the rise of

Zionism as a political ideological movement took form with a large migration of European Jews

to the then British Mandate of Palestinian territories. 7 The large migration of the Jewish people

in the territory created a spur of ethnic conflict throughout the region. At this time the Zionist

movement turned to terrorism aimed at instilling fear in the British population at home that

would end the presence of the empire within the region. 8The plan worked with the large and

growing population of Jewish people in the region and the diminishing power of the British

Empire. Due to World War II, the British Empire could no longer handle the rising ethnic

tensions in the region.9 The United Nation already took on the Palestinian problem as the British

foreign sectary announced to the people on February 14, 1947. 10 With Great Britain out of the

region the Palestinian Arabs were left without much support from the once promised mandated

system of the British government. In April of 1947 the Opening of United Nations General

Assembly special session on Palestine was shortly followed by the creation of the UN Special

Committee on Palestine (UNSCOP).11 The United Nations, at the time, still a new organization,

adopted the Palestinian partition plan, Resolution 181, calling for the establishment of a Jewish

and Arab state in Palestine. 12 The UN resolution presented the first written divide between Arabs

and Jews. In the region at the time an intense communal warfare was carried out from 1947-1948.

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In May of 1948 the British mandate was terminated, leading Israel to proclaim its independence,

as U.S. President Harry Truman, and later the USSR extend recognition to Israel. 13

The Arab-Israeli War

With the creation of the Israeli state on May 14, 1948 was also the creation of the

“Nakba” and the Arab-Israeli war.14 The Nakba is known as the day when panic and catastrophe

took place. Thousands of Palestinians became refuges overnight as they fled their homes and

villages in fear of being killed by the Israeli militia.15 The Nakba marks the creation of the

Palestinian refugee problem across the Arab world. 16 With the Arab-Israeli war underway

Jordan annexed the West Bank in 1949, and Egypt took control over Gaza.17 Tensions remained

high throughout the region, and with new political motives in mind, the six-day war took place in

1967 between Egypt, Jordan, and Syria resulted in the Israeli victory of the war and the

occupation and annexation of East Jerusalem, the Gaza strip, the West Bank, and the Golan

Heights. 18The Occupation of the Palestinian Territories including East Jerusalem, the Gaza strip,

and the West Bank proved to be very difficult for the population on the ground, especially the

refuges who were displaced from prehistoric Palestine known as Israel today. 19

Prior to the 1967 six-day war, Palestinian politics was on the rise in the region and

throughout the Middle East. The Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) was created in 1964

in Cairo, and in 1965 Fatah was established.20 After the defeat of the Arab countries after the six-

day war, an Arab summit at Khartouma was held and declared “three nos” agreement—no

recognition, no negotiation, and no peace with Israel. 21 The outcome of this summit meeting has

added in the continuous tension in the region over the years, however it did not hold completely

as Egypt’s Anwar Sadat reached a peace agreement with Israel in 1978.22

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Along with the military occupation of the Palestinian territories, the first Israeli

settlements where shortly built after 1967 in the West Bank. Leading to larger ethnic tensions,

and a violation of international law by Israel. 23

According to the UN’s “CHAPTER VII: ACTION WITH RESPECT TO THREATS TO

THE PEACE, BREACHES OF THE PEACE, AND ACTS OF AGGRESSION”; Israel would be

in violation of a number of UN articles under the chapter 7 clause as it has been acting as a major

aggressor using the IDF within the West Bank and Gaza forcing its large industrial military over

the Palestinian civilian population

After 1967

During this time Palestinian politics still maintained a strong presence within the region.

The group Black September was introduced in 1970 when as they attempted to overthrow the

Jordanian king, it resulted in the systematic oppression and killings anywhere from 1000 to 2000

Palestinian refuges within Jordan.24 Palestinians, anxious to achieve their own independence,

attempted to act above the law of the Arab states they were in, resulting in negative reputation

for the Palestinian people and the PLO. In 1974 the PLO adopts a phased program for the

liberation of Palestine, and the Arab League designated the PLO as the “sole legitimate

representative of the Palestinian people” as they announced at the Rabat Summit. 25 This marks a

significant time for the PLO, as the organization started to gain legitimacy throughout the Arab

world. The PLO was headed under Yasser Arafat, elected Chairmen in 1969.26 Arafat addressed

the UN General Assembly in 1974, and later the PLO was granted an observer status.27 The PLO

was first allowed to participate in a debate on the Arab-Israeli question in 1974 after approval

from the UN Security Council. 28

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First Intifada

Ethnic tensions never left the region. While leaders like Arafat and King Hussein may

have been working on and off towards a peace plan in the region nothing was ever produced as

the relationship between the two leaders digressed. The Palestinian population was left

vulnerable with little chance of hope. Facing high tensions, poor treatment, and almost no real

rights, the Palestinian population revolted starting on December 9, 1987, known as the First

Intifada.29 Without much diplomatic support the Palestinian population took to the streets to fend

off the Israeli Occupation.30 During this time Palestinian politics where also evolving as the key

rival political party Hamas was born, with its roots strongly planted in Gaza foreshadowing a

divide amongst Palestinian politics.31

Without much power left Arafat addressed the United Nations on December 13th and 14th

of 1988, announcing the formal reorganization of Israel’s right to exist as a state and accepting

UNSC Resolutions 242 and 338. 32 Arafat, as mentioned before recognized the treaty of

Westphalia, extended his recognition to Israel’s right to exist as a sovereign state.33 Arafat’s

leadership and acceptance of UNSC Resolutions as well as a ceasefire with Israel lead to the

belief that no land can be gained through war.34 This significant and symbolic move of good faith

caught the attention of the United States as it announced it would begin to dialogue with the

PLO.35

Peace Talks

With the involvement of the United States, the Arab-Israeli peace conference began in

Madrid in October of 1991.36 In December of that year the U.S. hosted rounds of bilateral Arab-

Israeli negotiation begin. The peace talks evolved over the years, and in 1993 secret negations

between Israel and PLO took place in Oslo, Norway.37 Both parties agree to adopt the

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Declaration of Principles (DOP) or otherwise known as the Oslo Accords.38 The DOP established

a road map for peace between the Israel and Palestinian’s. First by attempting to set economic

ties in the region, and secondly by working on the transfer of power and civil liberties to the

Palestinian leadership overtime.39 The picture looked seemed to depict stability. Arafat and

Prime Minster Yitzhak Rabin were determined to bring peace to the region. As things started

looking up in the region, they quickly started to fall apart as well. Both Israel and the PLO failed

to meet their deadlines on the expansion of Palestinian self-rule. Shortly after an Israeli right

wing extremist assassinated Israeli Prime Minster Yitzhak Rabin, where peace talks would come

to a devastating halt.40

As the goal of peace still remained alive by some in the region, negotiations continued

towards the end of the millennium, resulting in the Camp David Summit with Ehud Barak. Camp

David took place under the Clinton Administration on his way out of office, with hopes of

addressing the real issues of the conflict between Arafat and Barak. Yet again falling short on

final status agreements over Jerusalem. 41

Second Intifada

Shortly after the end of the Camp David Summit, the second intifada broke out in

September of 2000.42 Ariel Sharon helped spark this revolt with his controversial march on the

temple mount and disrespect to the Islamic faith.43 The second intifada was far more growling

than the first. Upwards of 5,500 Palestinians and 1,100 Israeli civilians were killed. Israeli also

began its construction on the separation barrier in 2002, that would divide Israel proper, the West

Bank and Gaza strip, resulting in a land grab for Israel in the name of security.44 The separation

barrier standing almost 26 feet tall was deemed illegal under international law one year later in

2004; however, the international community has mainly ignored the subject since. With the harsh

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reality of the second intifada no talks were carried on between both peoples, and in fact

communication between Israelis and Palestinians greatly declined, creating a large psychological

gap in the region today. 45

Arafat who was relatively ill throughout the end of his life and political carrier died in

November of 2004.46 His death was widely grieved amongst the Palestinian population because

he was the leader of the united Palestinian people, a hero to most still to this day. Despite his

corruption and money laundering allegations Arafat captivated the hearts of the people as their

charismatic leader.47

Arafat passes Hamas Elected

The death of Arafat marked a great political change in the Palestinian territories. 48 Under

the first Arab Democratic elections in the Middle East, a new leader was soon to be elected.

49The winner of the Palestinian democratic elections that took place at the beginning of 2006 was

to everyone’s surprise, the rival political party Hamas.50 The election of Hamas throughout the

Palestinian territories caught the world by surprise. Israel and the United States refused to

recognize such an electoral decision as Hamas was soon recognized as a “terrorist organization”

to promote the destruction of Israeli in their original constitution in 1988.51 Because Israel and

the U.S refused to recognize Hamas, Fatah remained in power.52 This caused political tension

among the Palestinian people themselves, and ultimately resulted in a proxy civil war fought

between both political parties in Gaza shortly after the elections were held.53 Ultimately resulting

in the separation of the Gaza strip and the West Bank.54 As Hamas took power in Gaza, and

Fatah remained in control in the West Bank headed by the Palestinian Authority under President

Mahmud Abbass.55

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Split with Gaza

As Israel refused to deal with two different governments, the issue of Palestinian

statehood seemed to be slowly drifting away. The Palestinian people were unable to maintain

unity until the Egyptian revolution took place in 2011 and a reunification deal was signed

between both parties.56 After Mubarak was ousted, the Egyptian people came together in support

of the Palestinian cause, also shedding ties with Israel.

Abbass took to the negotiation table with Ehud Olmert, again coming extremely close to

final peace deal, but failing due to disagreements on the final status of Jerusalem.57 Jerusalem is

city considered holy to Christians, Muslims, and Jews.

The negotiations also partly failed because Israel raged a war against the Gaza Strip in

2008-2009 under “Operation Cast Lead”.58 During the operation, Israel used chemical weapons

and heavy artillery to send a message to Hamas for it’s firing of Kassam rockets on Southern

Israel.59 Approximately 1,400 Palestinians, and 13 Israeli’s were killed. Talks fell apart once

again.60 In 2010 talks resumed between Abbas and Netyahi, but again fell short as the expansion

of settlements that would physically divide Gaza from the West Bank, furthermore enforcing this

larger physiological gap in the region. Ultimately deterring the Palestinian president away. 61

Egypt Reconciliation

2011 brought upon the year of the Arab Spring, and wide spread revolution throughout

Tunisia, Libya, Yemen, Syria, Bahrain and most importantly Egypt, for the Palestinian cause.62

The Mubarak regime was forced to resign from power after the massive protests across Tahrir

Square resulted in a new military government till pending elections of 2011-2012.63 The

successful political revolution that took place in neighboring Egypt had significant revolutionary

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effects for the Palestinian Authority and people. Since the revolution, a shift in support from

Egyptian political leaders to Palestinian political leadership, including both Hamas and Fatah

became a pivotal point for Palestinians place in the interaction spectrum. Eventually leading to

Egyptians to pursue a reconciliation deal during early May of 2011.64 This deal was never fully

implemented, but it was an entail step for the Abbas government soon to be perusing a UN

application for Statehood membership.65 Egypt also took on new foreign policy terms with Israel,

most significantly opening up its border with Gaza.66

In response to the international community and all the failed peace negotiations,

President Mahmud Abbass of the Palestinian Authority submitted the Palestinian application for

statehood to the United Nations in September of 2011.67 Palestine received approval of request

by UNISCO; however, it is very likely that the UNSC will veto this application, as the United

States does not want Palestine to reach a peace agreement with Israel other then through direct

peace talks.68 The future for the Palestinian people has been up for question for 63 years now,

year after year, peace talks after peace talks. The missing elements to a Palestinian are complex

and controversial.

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Missing Diplomatic Elements

Since the Palestinian problem entered the concern of the international community,

diplomatic relations with the Palestinian population have proven extremely difficult. Many

Palestinians during the early years of occupation had alternative views of a peaceful solution to

the conflict. It is important to mention the lack of representation of Palestinian refugees in

neighboring countries, as well as Palestinians living in the diaspora abroad. To add to the matter,

communications between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank have been under constant strain

under Israeli statehood.69 The Palestinians had a very hard time in terms of representation, many

people wanted many solutions and outcomes that were sometimes similar or different. The

Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) recognized by the Arab League as the sole legitimate

representative of the Palestinian population in 1974, had then been Yasser Arafat’s crowning

achievement.70 This action by the Arab League was done in the interest of creating a sole voice

for the Palestinian people. That voice was founded and developed over by Arafat. Arafat was an

instrumental leader to the PLO; nevertheless, many of his individual actions during the initial

start of the peace process have been very costly to the Palestinian people and future state.

Diplomatic relations in neighboring Arab countries around Israel’s controversial

territories, regarding Palestine had been hostel.71 At times, many Palestinian nationalists acted

out in these countries killing fellow Arab men for the Palestinian cause, as illustrated by the

murder of the Jordanian foreign minster during Black September in Egypt. 72 Actions similar to

these occurred throughout the Arab world resulting in the ousting of many Palestinian

nationalists and distant to Palestinian refuges; considered to be visitors, and second-class citizens

in a different country.73 Not failing to mention that Arafat himself also made a lot of agreements

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with King Abdullah of Jordan and other leaders regarding the Palestinian cause, but would later

disregard the agreements and engaged with Israel on his own.74

A combination of everything listed above resulted in a very low diplomatic strength for

the Palestinian people. The Palestinians’ acting out in other Arab countries resulted into forming

enemies, not allies to the Palestinian cause. Arab leaders had other concerns to worry about. Due

to the lack of diplomatic strength, the PLO and Arafat played no match for Israel in peace

negotiations in the early 1990’s.

The 1993 secret talks held in Oslo Norway, was a great step forward for both the Israeli

and Palestinian people. It was the first time direct negations with peace in mind were carried out,

giving the local populations a real chance and hope for peace. The talks were soon moderated by

the United States and sets of agreements were made between both Rabin and Arafat in order to

pave the way for the future Palestinian state and more importantly peace.75 These agreements

gave the Palestinians something positive to look for, starting with relations between both leaders

in hopes of a trickle down effect on the local population. Although many were happy with the

work and progress Arafat and Rabin were making, many extremists on both sides took to

measures of violence against each other.76 Lacking hard power in the negotiations and within the

West Bank itself, Arafat had no way of enforcing order amongst extremist groups and rival

political party Hamas.77 The picture had been already painted in 1993 and the talks were carried

on. It was Arafats fault for the way peace talks were first conducted, because he acted as an

individual leader failing to consult his key allies of the kind of work that he was doing with Israel.

Arafat engaged in talks with Israel without notifying the Arab League, leaving him

powerless in any agreements made.78 At the same time fault is placed on the Arab League. Had

the Arab League represented its solidarity with the Palestinian state cause and took over

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negotiations with Israel on behalf of the Palestinian people and refuges the outcome of the region

would be different today.

Many scholars around the world consider this conflict as the Arab-Israeli conflict, and

Yasser Arafat was the sole representative of the Palestinian people during the Oslo Accords.79

Whether Arafat knew it or not, the world perceived the Palestinian conflict as belonging to the

Arab-Israeli conflict, not the Palestinian Israeli conflict. The Arab community was unfortunately

lacking during the crucial talks of 1993.80

Had diplomatic relations been carried on after the 1967 war, had the Arab nations come

up with a different agreement at the Arab summit at Khartouma, Yasser Arafat would have had

more support in his efforts for peace with Israel. The “three nos” agreement—no recognition, no

negotiation, no peace with Israel; depicted the Arab states bitterness about losing 1967 war.

Ultimately failing to recognize and engage with Israel, all at the cost of the Palestinian

population.81

The United States also played a vital role in the region as a world power with a

tremendous influence. The Gulf War was coming to an end, and many Arab leaders had formed

alliances with the United States, most notably the former president of Egypt, Mubarak. The

United States also had a role in the Oslo negotiations, as they had some influence in keeping the

Arab leaders away from the negotiation table, leaving Palestine to fend for itself against Israel

and the U.S. 82

I would like to argue that had diplomatic relations played out differently and Yasser

Arafat was assisted by other Arab leaders at the negotiation table with Israel, the Palestinian

leadership would have had more hard power and representation to work with. It would have also

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benefited Israel to engage in a peaceful resolution during the Arab-Israeli conflict that could have

resolved the Palestinian question starting in 1993.

Israel was able to divide and conquer the region seeking separate individual peaceful

agreements with Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and Egypt.83

Because Arafat was alone at the secret talks in Oslo, Norway in 1993 he could not reach

out for support from the rest of the Arab world because they were left out of the meetings, and he

did not have any legitimate power to represent the Palestinian people. Arafat could not promise

Israel much; he could not negotiate for peace with nothing to negotiate with.84 The West Bank,

and the Gaza strip were under occupation; Israel saw Arafat as a puppet leader nothing more then

just a voice.85 Peace was not reached after the Oslo Accords because Arafat had no legitimate

power to implement anything and Israel was never held accountable for not following through

with its agreement.86

Had the rest of the Arab League been present to fend for the Palestinian cause and hold

Israel accountable for its actions, the pressure for peace in the region would be more felt,

especially by Israel. The Arab League missed the perfect window of opportunity to stand with

their Palestinian brothers and sisters because no one ever came to the table.

The Arab League was presented with a great opportunity to normalize relations and

revert the “three nos” agreement in order to pursue a real peace with Israel. Israel would have not

been able to refuse an offer that guaranteed peace and security from the surrounding countries,

and presenting a welcome to Israel in the region.

The Arab League woke up all too late in 2002 pushing forward the Arab Peace Initiative.

The initiative promised to normalize relations with Israel, opening embassies and commerce to

Israel, and absorbing it as part of the Middle East. The promise was made in exchange for a just

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a peaceful solution to the conflict and a just solution to the refugee problem according to UN

resolution 194. .87Israel did not accept or deny the Arab Peace Initiative; rather it quietly ignored

the proposal and continued the construction of the separation barrier, leading to the loss of

Palestinian land and the expansion of settlement building all in the name of security.88

Had the Arab League been present with a similar plan nine years earlier in 1993, Israel

would have been faced with a diplomatic wave of pressure from all over the world pushing

towards peace.89

Instead the outcome was very different. Arafat and Rabin both wanted to reach peace;

still, no one was there to enforce the agreed upon terms. Once Rabin was assassinated, Israel’s

plan to make room for Palestinian civil control was abandoned, and the peace talks essentially

fell apart.90

Arab League 93’

The idea I would like to convey here is that had the Arab League been a major player in

the negotiations and willing to provide Israel full normalization in the region in 1993, Israel

would have been placed in a corner with an offer to good to refuse. The question of a Palestinian

state would have been made much easier. The acceptance of Israel into the Arab world would

have demonstrated signs of recognition and legitimacy towards Israel accepting its existence as a

state, while also promoting the Palestinian state alongside of it. The acceptance of Israel and the

opening of commerce across the Arab world, were needed in 1993 in order for a true peace deal

to take affect in the region before the turn of the millennium. Because of the lacking support

from the Arab world, Palestine was unable to seek out any aid from the region and instead the

United States was invited to step in as the mediator between the Israel and Palestinians.

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With the United States as the middleman in the Oslo Accords outcome, the immediate

outcome for Palestine was short lived. Palestinians had nothing but hopes of a better future and

an end to the occupation, in order for Palestine to gain full security and sovereignty. At the same

time Israel is already an established state and world power. The major outcomes of the Oslo

Accords was that it established a declaration of principles and a road map for future negotiations

detailing what a peaceful outcome would look like in the region.91 The main goal of the Oslo

Accords was to create two independent Israeli and Palestinian states.92 The first article of the

accords deals with creating an interim government that would represent the Palestinian people in

the direct negotiations with Israel. 93

The Accords did present some major breakthroughs in communication between the

Israelis and Palestinians at the time; however, actions spoke louder than words as none of the

Accords were honored or actually carried out in practice.94

The ability for Israel to divide and conquer the regional allies in terms of the Palestinian

question ultimately worked in Israel’s favor. The ability for Israel to carry out separate talks with

Egypt and Jordan regarding Palestine illustrated the lack of effectiveness in terms of the Accords.

Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon and Syria all should have been included in the road map to peace in

order to have an effective outcome, especially considering they host many Palestinian refugee’s.

The lack of a diplomatic and political support for Palestine and the PLO is still evident

today. The lack of diplomacy and diplomatic support in an integral part of the 1990’s has still left

the Palestinian state up for question. Foreign relations for the PLO have seemed to be rather

weak, due to the Oslo Accords. The reason for this is that Oslo ensured that any peace agreement

in the region must be achieved by a result of direct negotiations between Israel and Palestine.95

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Palestine has been seeking international allies; though, no regional powers have come to answer

as they feel they are providing Palestinian refuges a place to stay.

A major problem at the heart of the Palestinian causes is the refugees in Jordan, Syria,

Lebanon and Egypt. The refugees represent the unspoken agreement with the host countries, as

the many Palestinians who escaped to the diaspora a needed a place to stay and some shelter. The

problems in doing so have accumulated over the years. Most obviously in Jordan where the

refugee problem represents over half the country’s population resulting to the allocation of

Jordanian funds to take care of the Palestinian refuge issues.96 This issue is reproduced in the

neighboring Arab countries as well. The overall result and sentiment towards the Palestinian

refugees has created a negative feeling from the native population of those countries. The

complex role and presence of Palestinians and Palestinian refuges throughout the Middle East

have made it more difficult to carry out proper diplomatic relations.97 The overall feeling of

major Arab governments is that they are providing the Palestinian people with a service they are

not obligated too. However, it still comes at a cost for the refuges. It has created a lot of

problems for the Palestinians refuges living in very poor and impoverished refugee camps of

Jordan, Lebanon and other Arab countries that have accepted Palestinian refugees leading to

poor diplomatic relations and a Palestinian entity to fend on its own.98

The complex history since 1948 has left Palestinians scattered across the Arab world and

has also affected the politics and relationships in the region. The year 1967 witnessed the Six-day

war between Israel, Egypt, Syria and Jordan. Egypt was fighting over control of the Gaza Strip,

and Jordan was fighting to maintain control in the West Bank.99 Israel was able to detect an early

threat and surprised Egypt and Jordan with a preemptive attack resulting in the annexation of the

Syrian Golan Heights, and also the control over the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt.100 The Sinai

  21  

Peninsula was ultimately returned to Egypt after the Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty of 1979 was

established, freeing the peninsula of Israeli control by 1982.101 Israel was also able to normalize

relations with Jordan after they both signed a peace treaty in 1994.102 Syria has still yet to resolve

its conflict with Israel as the Golan Heights are still a major source of tension as it is illegally

annexed by Israel.103

As it has been illustrated, Israel was able to seek out independent peace treaties with

Egypt, and Jordan, the two most significant neighboring countries. One must now consider the

role of the United States in supporting the Egyptian and Jordanian leadership elites. The

monetary support provided to both governments in the form of foreign aid have also had some

influenced the decision for both governments to pressure an independent peace deal with

Israel.104

The lack of support left Arafat faced with other diplomatic hardships with the Camp

David Peace talks in 2000 when Clinton and Barak put pressure on Arafat to end the Arab-Israeli

conflict.105 Again Clinton and Barak were asking Arafat to a peaceful solution to the Arab-Israeli

conflict, not the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Arafat could not accept Camp David proposition

because he saw himself, as the representative of the Palestinian people, not the whole Arab

world.106

Diplomacy has not been an effective tool or instrument for the Palestinian people during

the initial peace talks, however the future in the Middle East is starting to paint a different picture.

The initial diplomatic failures by Arafat and the PLO are not being repeated today.

The Arab Spring that has been spreading across the Arab world has introduced new ideas

of a democratic future for the Arab populations.107 The Palestinian leadership should be careful

to not disregard these new movements.108 Palestinian politics need to be on the rise again; today

  22  

is the time to instill the idea of a Palestinian state to Tunisia, to gain the support of the new

government put into place after the revolution. Once the political dust is settled and the

revolutions resolved, all the conflicts in the region must come to end as well for any real political

change to happen and progress throughout the world.

The rhetoric of the Palestinian leadership is in need of a new approach. More emphasis

needs to be placed on relations with other Arab countries, and other Arab countries need to start

stepping up to the plate in the name of the Palestinian cause. To develop strong and stable

relationships in the region that guarantees Israel security, and a lack of threat in the region.

Diplomatic relations and negotiations between Israel and Palestinians have not resulted in

much progress in ending the conflict. The conflict is ever more evolving into a complex system

between both peoples leaving no room for any outside parties to come in and help. Israeli’s and

Palestinians are stuck in this same phase of conflict, it has become accepted as apart of everyday

life.109 Diplomacy in the Middle East is more complex then one can see with the naked eye.

Many outside forces play a strong factor in the decision making of Arab leaders, especially the

role of the United States in the region as a world power, and its number one ally Israel.

Due to the failure of immediate diplomatic relations in the region, the Palestinian

authority today is busy with their UN Statehood campaign and application that has caught the

world’s attention.110 The 194th Palestinian statehood bid is still up for question at the United

Nations.

The statehood bid launched at the UN last September, has received much opposition form

both the United States and Israel.111 The U.S. and Israel fear that a Palestinian state in the UN

would complicate a future peace deal. Still, Palestine has gained some momentum with some key

international actors like Russia that back the Palestinian state. 112

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Self-Determination

Due to the failed negations between Israel and Palestine, the Palestinian Authority (PA)

has decided to pursue statehood for the Palestinian people through the ideology of self-

determination.113 The reason for this action by the PA can only be explained in the sense that

people were not happy with the end results of all the negotiations, and wanted to create a

Palestinian state. Many Palestinians, and surrounding Arabs believe Israel is not a legitimate

partner for peace, as its leaders are not taking real measures or compromises to bring peace.114

The PA promoted its policy of self-determination shortly after the latest failed peace talks in the

summer of 2010 under U.S. President Obama. The PA will also have the opportunity to speak in

front of the United Nations General Assembly in terms of its existence as a sovereign state with

hopes of returning to the highly debated 1967 borders, also known as the green line.115

The idea of Palestinian self-determination has been in effect since the 1980’s with the

first Intifada, and was revived again with the second Intifada in 2000. Both the first and second

intifada have lead to a great amount of violence within the West Bank, and Gaza strip as the IDF

took great measures to shut down protests, and attempt to silence the Palestinian movement.116

Despite both uprisings the vision of a Palestinian state is still alive and strong. Palestinians today

have taken on methods of nonviolent resistance and peaceful protest to gain support for their

cause in gaining statehood.117 The efforts put forth for the Palestinian state have been long and

tedious, but more importantly still alive.

  24  

Talk of Peace

Some key analyst blame the Palestinians for not reaching out to the Arab world to gather

support, and others blame the Arab world for not taking the prime opportunity to show Israel the

respect it needed at the time. The lacking of hard power at the negotiation table really hurt the

Palestinians. It not only meant that the question of a Palestinian state was unresolved, it also

meant that the Palestinians were now the ones who had to take on Israel for the sake of the rest of

the Arab world. The framing of this conflict as the Arab-Israeli conflict put a lot more pressure

on the Palestinian leadership as they strived to create a working peace deal with the Israeli

leadership at the time.118

Progress in the region came to a shattering halt with the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin in

1995. The Oslo peace process resulted in the framework for both the Palestinians and Israelis to

work towards future peace towards a final status agreement. Leaving out the rest of the Arab

world on a final status agreement and making the United States the mediator of the Palestinian-

Israeli conflict has not resulted in much progress since 1993. The exclusion of the Arab World

on a final status agreement with Israel is very damaging to idea of a sovereign Palestinian state.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  25  

 

Occupation  Industry    

  A   key-­‐missing   element   to   a   Palestinian   state   is   a   strong   economy.   Today   the  

Palestinian   territories   are   dependent   on   a  market   of   tourism,   owned   and   operated   by   a  

small  number  of  wealthy  families;  the  economy  is  suffering  greatly  in  retrospect.  119  

One might ask why Israel keeps disregarding a viable peace deal with the Palestinians.

What is missing? The answer is much more complicated then it looks. What is missing is public

knowledge of the region and the conflict as it is being played out today. The conflict has taken

on a new meaning, and it has also opened doors to a new industry of NGO workers and media

networks awaiting something extreme to report on.120 These   NGOs   that   include   the   likes   of  

Human   Rights   Watch,   and   Amnesty   International,   that   operate   and   exist   within   the  

Palestinian  region  due  solely  to  the  occupation.    

The occupation industry as some key analyst in the region refer to it, revolves around

large quantities of money and foreign aid that is coming into the region, meant to support the

Palestinian population in the West Bank and Gaza.121 In retrospect the occupation industry has

done nothing more than make the Palestinian government dependent on foreign aid and a foreign

economy to stay afloat. A lot of aid is directed to that part of the world, and the amount of

foreign aid is only going to get higher as greater demands to achieve technological advancements

within the Palestinian society, in order to pull them up from the third world. This helps bring me

to a key point that I would like to make about the conflict, due to the occupation industry and the

amount of aid that PA is receiving with the same goal of making the life for general population

better; only adds to the problem of managing the conflict, however not solving the conflict.

  26  

  As  they  function  today,  the  West  Bank  and  the  Gaza  strip  are  fuelled  and  driven  by  

the   Occupation   Industry.   The   Occupation   Industry   is   the   number   one   supporter   of   the  

Palestinian   economy.122  This   industry   that   is   one   of   a   kind,   is   made   up   of   a   number   of  

foreign   non-­‐governmental   organization   and   other   organizations   that   deal  with   relief   aid.  

The  amount  of   foreign  aid  and  relief  money   that   is   sent   to   the  Palestinian  region   to  help  

NGOs  working  there  has  become  an  important  asset  to  struggling  the  Palestinian  economy.    

  The   occupation   has   created   a   form   of   NGO   Mecca.   Human   rights   violations   are  

carried  out  frequently  in  the  region,  and  NGO  monitors  are  always  busy  compiling  reports  

about  the  treatment  of  Palestinians,  but  how  much  of  this  is  actually  helping  the  Palestinian  

cause?  The  number  of  international  aid  workers  present  in  the  region  is  phenomenal,  and  

the  work  they  are  doing  is  valuable.  However,  this  occupation  industry  has  created  no  form  

of  real  work  for  the  local  Palestinian  population.123  Instead  of  having  their  own  economy  to  

run  and  maintain,  they  must  depend  on  the  foreign  aid  of  other  international  governments.  

The   dependence   on   foreign   aid   is   already   present  within   the   region,   and   it   is   becoming  

more  and  more  of  a  problem  to  the  future  Palestinian  state.  A  new  state  cannot  operate  on  

an  industry  fuelled  by  an  illegal  occupation,  nor  can  it  function  on  the  foreign  aid  provided  

by  outside  governments.    

  The   PA   is   currently   stuck   in   a   cycle   of   foreign   aid   used   as   the   payroll  money   for  

anyone  holding  a  governmental  job,  or  security  force.  The  Palestinian  economy  due  to  the  

occupation   is   put   in   a   place   where   it   cannot   depend   on   itself.124  The   inability   for   self-­‐

growth   and   economic   expansion   is   just   another   struggle   facing   the   Palestinian   people  

under  the  occupation.    

  27  

  The  Palestinian  economy  is  nothing  more  then  an  extension  of  the  Israeli  economy  

today.   The   money   used   to   import   and   export   products   out   of   the   region   is   all   Israeli  

currency.   The   economy   within   the   Palestinian   territories   must   riley   on   Israel   and   the  

power  of  outside  sources  to  stay  afloat.  No  real  Palestinian  economy  has  had  the  potential  

to  take  off  in  the  region  due  to  the  occupation,  and  the  military  control  still  maintained  by  

Israel.    

  The   military   occupation   is   the   number   one   problem   to   blame   for   the   lack   of  

economic  maneuverability   by   the   Palestinian   Authority.   The   PA   is   not   able   to   reach   the  

outside  global  market  as  everything  must  be  shipped   through   Israeli  ports,  meaning   that  

Israel  has  complete  economic  control  over  the  territories,  controlling  everything  that  goes  

in   an   out.   Israel’s   strong   economic   control   over   the   Palestinian   territories,   a   future  

Palestinian   state   would   be   worthless,   if   an   effective   agreement   is   not   reached   greater  

economic  control  will  not  be  given  to  the  Palestinian  people.  125  

  A   future  state  with  no  economic   infrastructure   is  not   likely   to   last  as  a  strong  and  

viable  state.  The  Palestinians  need  an  end  to  the  occupation,  and  a  lacking  control  by  Israel  

in  order  to  have  a  viable  and  robust  economy.  Palestinian  commerce  is  very  important  in  

the   rest   of   the   world.   Palestine,   and   Palestinians   have   been   denied   an   identity   before,  

therefore   it   is   important   to   rebuild   that   identity   through   the   economy   using   the   global  

market  and  selling  Palestinian  products.126  No  one  can  argue  about  where  a  product  came  

from.  The  economy  is  a  very  important  factor  missing  within  the  region.    

  Creating   a   strong   Palestinian   economy   is   crucial   in   promoting   a   strong   future  

Palestinian   state.   The   Palestinian   population   has   been   very   limited   with   their   everyday  

  28  

actions  due  to  the  occupation;  once  the  occupation  is  lifted  economic  growth  is  expected  to  

take  off  in  the  region.  

  Another  relating  factor  missing  in  the  region  due  to  the  occupation  is  the  dignity  of  

the  local  Palestinian  people.  

 

Missing  Freedom  and  Dignity  

  The  Palestinian  people  have  a  very  strong  sense  of  nationalism  because  it  makes  up  

a  core  of  their  identity.127  Due  to  the  occupation,  lack  of  power  and  authority  in  the  region,  

the  Palestinian  people  are  greatly  missing  everyday  freedoms,  and  dignity.128    

  The  occupation  and   the  existing   settlements   in   the  West  Bank,   the   Israeli  Defense  

Forces  put  the  Palestinian  people  through  a  number  of  security  measures  on  an  everyday  

basis.  Palestinians  are  subjected  to  crossing  checkpoints  between  different  control  zones:  A,  

B,  and  C.  Zone  is  A  is  PA  controlled  and  policed,  zone  B  is  PA  controlled  and  Israeli  Policed,  

and   zone   C   is   Israeli   controlled   and   policed.   During   the   crossing   of   these   checkpoints,  

Palestinians   are   put   through   a   search,   and   asked   a   number   of   questions   regarding   their  

travels   for  the  day.129  This  everyday  harassment  of   the  Palestinian  people  due  to  security  

measures  to  protect  an  illegal  settler  population  has  lead  to  the  incredible  loss  of  dignity  to  

the  average  Palestinian.  Being  forced  to  cross  a  checkpoint  on  your  everyday  commute  can  

be  frustrating  and  exhausting.  Palestinians  often  feel  as  if  they  have  no  real  freedoms  as  the  

IDF  can  assign  a  military  order  for  anyone  in  the  region  and  they  could  be  subjected  to  an  

arrest  being  held  until  their  trial.130  Often  not  knowing  of  their  crime  until  their  court  trial,  

and  almost  guaranteed  a  prison  sentence.  The  daily  outlook  of  the  Palestinian  population  is  

a  negative  one.  The  daily  harassment  of  the  local  population  almost  never  stops,  and  many  

  29  

Palestinians   are   restless   and   incapable   of   stopping   Israeli’s   from   stealing   their   while  

committing  crimes  against  them.    

  The  lack  of  positive  opportunity  in  the  region  is  taking  a  toll  on  the  local  population,  

and  worst  of  all  the  new  generation  of  children  is  growing  up  with  a  divided  tensions  them,  

leading  children  to  create  an  automatic  hate  for  the  other.131    

Psychological  gap  

The  psychological  gap  in  the  region  is  ever  more  present  as  a  challenge  to  peace.132  

The  Palestinians  and  Israelis  are  on  completely  two  different   life  tracks,  yet  they  live  feet  

away  from  each  other.133  The  two  people  are  exposed  to  each  other  in  a  very  limited  scope,  

leading  to  the  creation  of  a  subjective  perspective  on  either  side.  Palestinians  view  Israel’s  

in   a   certain  way,  while   Israeli’s   view  Palestinians   in   a   certain  way.  To  best   illustrate   the  

psychological   gap,   it   is   important   to   note   that   the   general   Israeli   association   with  

Palestinians  is  either  a  terrorist,  a  prisoners,  or  construction  worker.134    The  Israeli  opinion  

of  Palestinians   is  shaped  on  only  a  minority  of   the  Palestinian  population.  The  same  goes  

for   the   Palestinian   population.   Palestinians   view   Israelis   as   IDF   soldiers,   settlers,   or  

religious   extremist.   Both   populations   form   their   opinions   of   each   other   using   a  minority  

representation  on  either  side  of  the  wall,  leading  to  a  great  misunderstanding  between  the  

Palestinian  Arabs  and  the  Israeli  Jews.  The  Palestinian  population  is  left  to  pay  the  ultimate  

price   in   the   end.   The   lack   of   understanding   between   both   people,  who   fail   to   view   each  

other  as  people  has  prevented  a  separate  sovereign  Palestinian  state  to  form.    

  The   psychological   gap   has   been   an   ongoing   problem   in   the   Israeli-­‐Palestinian  

conflict;  still,  the  gap  was  punctured  after  communication  between  both  peoples  was  cut  off  

after   the   second   intifada.   Once   Palestinians,   and   Israeli’s   no   longer   had   regulated  

  30  

communication  between  each  other  due   to   the  creation  of   the  separation  barrier,   further  

negative  stigmas  targeted  against  the  alternative  ethnic  group  in  the  region.135  The  lack  of  

communication,  of  ever  day  relationships,  of  normalized  relationships  between  Israeli  Jews,  

and   Palestinian   Arabs   has   lead   to   further   obstacles   revolving   around   the   Palestinian  

statehood  question.    

  Israel’s   choice   of   building   the   security   fence,   also   known   as   the   separation   wall  

around  the  West  Bank,  and  the  Gaza  strip  has  resulted  in  a  very  tense  ethnic  environment  

in   the   region.  The   same  psychological   gap   took  place   in  Germany  after   the   end  of  WWII.  

Israel’s   choice  of  dealing  with   revolting  Palestinians  during   the   second   Intifada  was  only  

made   to   support   Israel’s   interest,   while   also   acquiring   more   Palestinian   land   in   the  

process.136  Israel’s  inability  to  partake  in  normalized  relations  with  the  Palestinian  people  

has   been   at   a   cost   of   the   Palestinian   statehood   efforts   since   the   initial   1948  Arab-­‐Israeli  

conflict.      

  The   Palestinian   state   initiative   is   not   receiving   any   sovereign   respect   from   its  

current  occupier,  Israel.137  Israel  is  well  aware  of  its  actions  not  respecting  the  Palestinian  

leadership,   as   the   Israeli   government   is   capable   of   acting   at   its   will,   knowing   that   the  

international   community,   while   raising   a   lot   of   concern,   will   not   carry   out   any   actions  

towards  Israel  and  the  United  States.    

  Israel’s   excessive   power   in   the   region   creates   the   direct   lack   of   power   to   the  

Palestinian  Authority  and  people.   Israel’s  actions  willingly  and  unwillingly  take  way  from  

the  dignity  and  humanity  of   the  Palestinian  people  on  a  regularly  daily  basis.  The   lack  of  

dignity,   respect,   and   control   over   daily   life   has   been   disadvantageous   to   the   Palestinian  

population,  as  they  are  often  violated  of  their  natural  human  rights  for  their  pure  identity  

  31  

as   Palestinians.   The   inability   for   the   Palestinian   population   to   carry   on   daily   activates,  

undisturbed  by  the  IDF  and  the  Israeli  government  is  detrimental  to  any  future  Palestinian  

state.138  The  Palestinian  population  is  suffering  from  a  major  lacking  in  power  in  the  region.    

 

 

Gaza  Vs.  The  West  Bank  

  Relating  to  the  psychological  gap   in  the  region  between  the  Israeli  and  Palestinian  

populations.  The  Palestinians  have  yet  another  obstacle  to  overcome,  both  a  physical  and  

ideological  separation  of  political  thoughts  and  movements  across  the  West  Bank  and  Gaza  

that  have  proven  to  be  detrimental  to  a  future  unified  Palestinian  state.139  

  A   key  unified   image  of   the  Palestinian  population   across   the  West  Bank   and  Gaza  

has   yet   to   be   found   amongst   the   international   community.     Gaza   and   the   West   Bank  

separated  by  Israel  proper  has  been  unable  to  maintaining  a  stable  productive  relationship  

particularly  due  to  the  inability  for  the  population  of  Gaza  to  travel  outside  of  the  city  due  

to  Israeli  government,  and  military  control.140  More  recently  in  2007,  the  political  party  and  

organization,   Hamas,   has   also   taken   over   the   Gaza   strip.   Hamas   identified   as   a   terrorist  

organization  by  the  U.S.  and  Israel,  with  a  charter  calling  for  the  destruction  of  the  state  of  

Israel  is  absolutely  preventing  a  future  peace  agreement  from  being  reached.  141  

  Hamas  as  a  political  organization  has  set  many  indirect  obstacles  to  the  Palestinian  

people  due  to  their  costly  actions  and  activities.142  The  West  Bank  and  Gaza  are  not  united  

and   have   not   been   since   the   death   of   Yasser   Arafat.143  This   is   proving   to   be   a   large   and  

evident  problem  for   the   future  statehood  efforts.  Egypt  attempted  to  seal  a  deal  between  

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Hamas  and  Fatah  this  past  May.  However,  the  reconciliation  deal  soon  fell  apart,  as  it  was  

clear  there  was  no  viable  form  of  communication  between  both  Palestinian  regions.144    

  The   separation  of  Gaza  and   the  West  Bank  has  proven  very   costly   to  peace   in   the  

region  and  a  future  Palestinian  state,  leaving  Israel  the  ability  to  sustain  dominance  in  the  

region.145  The  representation  of  the  Palestinian  people  divided  between  the  West  Bank  and  

Gaza  has  left  the  international  community  confused  and  unable  to  aid  the  Palestinian  cause  

to  its  maximum  potential.    

  To  take  a  closer  look  at  Operation  Cast  Lead  in  2008-­‐2009  provided  evidence  for  the  

separation  between  the  West  Bank  and  Gaza  regions.  While  many  had  fallen  victim  to  air  

attacks   and   human   rights   violations   in   Gaza   causing   a   chain   reaction   of   mass   protest  

around  the  world  as  call  for  an  end  to  Israel’s  actions  yet,  not  a  single  protest  took  place  in  

the   West   Bank   against   the   actions   going   on   Gaza. 146  The   disconnect   between   both  

populations   is  very  clear  and  ever  more  strained  by  current  and  past   Israeli  policies   that  

have  ensured  two  separate  regions  to  control.    

  What  is  important  to  note  here  is  that  Gaza  and  the  West  Bank  were  not  always  like  

they  are  today.  Prior  to  the  Arafat’s  death,  the  second  Intifada,  Gaza  had  a  soaring  economy,  

and  a  newly  opened  International  Airport.  The  airport  has  now  since  been  destroyed  since  

the  second  intifada.  147  The  reality  in  Gaza  has  been  transformed  over  the  years,  as  it  has  in  

the   West   Bank.   Although   they   have   been   living   under   an   Occupation   since   1967,   both  

populations  experienced  free  flowing  relations  within  themselves,  leading  to  a  more  united  

Palestinian   people.   The   death   of   Arafat   had   tremendous   affects   on   domestic   Palestinian  

politics.148    Not  to  mention  a   legacy,   that  people   in  both  regions  have  not   forgotten  about  

their  popular  leader  as  the  Palestinian  people.    

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  The  resulting  split  between  the  West  Bank  and  Gaza  is  by  no  means  a  direct  result  of  

the   Palestinian   people,   rather   it   takes   place   in   the   historical   process   and   institution   of  

Occupation   Israel   has   enforced   on   both   regions.149  Both   regions   are   about   equally   as  

diverse  when  it  comes  to  culture,  power  and  influence  making  both  regions  veer  off  course  

from  one  another.  Different  interests  by  the  people  in  the  different  regions  were  taken  on  

leaving  an  unstable  government  unable   to  effectively   control   in  both   regions   resulting   in  

the  Hamas,  Fatah  split  we  witness  today.      

  Both   regions   suffer   from   an   unstoppable   Israeli   government.   Gaza   is   not   under  

direct  Occupation;   though,   it   is   completely   surrounded  by   a   separation   barrier   and   even  

with   limited   sea   access   for   fishing,   resulting   into   the   world’s   largest   open-­‐air   prison,  

literally.150     The   residents   of   Gaza   have   been   confined   to   the   area   of   Gaza   since   the  

beginning  of  the  second  intifada;  their  freedom  of  movement  has  been  greatly  restricted  by  

Israel.  The  border  between  Egypt  and  Gaza   is  open   for  mainly  women  only  and  children.  

However,  the  border  between  Gaza  and  Egypt  is  not  always  open  as  Israel  still  has  control  

over  the  border  crossing.151    

  Israel  has  placed  a  stronger  emphasis  on  controlling  Gaza  fearing  the   live  and  real  

threat   of   Hamas.152  The   treatment   of   the   people   in   Gaza   by   the   Israeli   government,   has  

resulted  in  only  allowing  in  80  products  into  the  region  meant  to  just  sustain  the  people  of  

Gaza   just   above   the   level   of   humanitarian   crises,   however   the   “Human   Rights   Crisis”   is  

never  more  evident.153  The  people  in  Gaza  are  treated  as  sub  human  by  the  Israeli  military.  

The  Israeli  military  has  decided  that  the  collective  punishment  of  the  population  in  Gaza  is  

acceptable,  as   it  has  repeatedly  conducted  air  strikes  on  the  people.154  The  reason  behind  

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the   unsettled   violence   is   due   to   Hamas   use   of   home  made   qassam   rockets   on   Southern  

Israeli  cities  such  as  Sderot  in  rebellion  towards  Israel’s  occupation  of  the  land.155    

  The  same  military  objective  has  not  been  seen  throughout  the  West  Bank.  Although  

violence  is  often  a  product  of  this  region,  the  Israeli  Defense  Forces  use  manpower  to  put  

down  any  protest  in  the  region.156  The  location  of  Israeli  settlements  have  also  achieved  the  

purpose  of  military  outposts   in   the   region,   ensuring   Israel   a   full   form  of   control   on  both  

Palestinian   regions,   and   also   successfully   dividing   them   through   a   psychological   gap  

between  the  Palestinian  people  themselves.  157  

  The  Palestinians  in  the  West  Bank  and  the  Gaza  strip  have  a  long  struggle  ahead.  The  

issue  of  Palestinian  statehood  has  yet  to  be  answered.    

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The  United  Nations  and  Palestine  

  The  United  Nations   is   the  world’s   international  organization  aimed  at  maintaining  

peace  and  justice  throughout  the  world.158    As  an  international  organization,  the  institution  

has  not  been  very  effective  in  maintaining  its  true  mission  statement,  particularly  when  it  

comes  to  the  issue  of  Palestine  and  Israel.    

  The  United  Nations  created  at  the  end  of  WWII  replaced  the  League  of  Nations,  the  

prior  intentional  organization  that  also  failed  at  its  purpose  of  promoting  peace  across  the  

world.159  Since   its   creation   in  1945,   the   Israeli   and  Palestinian   issue  has  not  been  absent  

from   the   doors   of   UN   buildings   in   Geneva   and   New   York.  160  The   United   Nations   even  

attempted  to  deal  with   the  problem,   issuing  the  UN  Partition  Plan   in  1947   in  an  effort   to  

help   divide   up   the   land.161  The   UN   Partition   Plan   in   1947   was   unequally   divided   as   it  

resulted  in  56.7%  of  the  land  to  the  100,000  Jewish  people  in  the  region  and  almost  43.3%  

of  the  land  to  the  110,000  Palestinian  people  in  the  region.162  Not  to  mention  the  Plan  also  

devoted  the  most  fertile  lands  to  the  Jewish  population.  Since  this  issue  has  been  presented  

in  front  of  the  world  audience,  the  Palestinian  indigenous  population  has  been  getting  short  

handed   from  the  start  of   the  Palestinian-­‐Israeli   conflict.    The  Palestinians  at   the   time  did  

not  accept  the  UN  Partition  Plan  because  it  was  an  immediate  loss  to  them.163    

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  The   United   Nations   has   played   an   ever   more   important   role   to   the   Palestinian  

people  and  especially  the  Palestinian  refuges  living  in  other  neighboring  Arab  countries,  as  

the  UN  is  the  biggest  aid  provider  to  the  refugee  population  building  schools  and  providing  

other  basic  necessities  to  the  displaced  people.164  The  United  Nations  has  also  opened  the  

branch   institution   called   UNRAW,   the   United   Nations   Relief   and   Works   Agency   for  

Palestinian  refugees.165    UNRAW  has  played  a  tremendous  role  helping  aid  the  Palestinian  

population   of   Gaza   by   building   schools   and   more   infrastructures   to   the   city   years   after  

Operation   Cast   Lead.166  Overall   the   United  Nations   has   been   able   to   help   the   Palestinian  

people  individually  case-­‐by-­‐case,  but  not  as  a  population,  and  not  as  a  state.  167    

  Because   Israel   is   a   recognized  member   state   in   the  world,   it  holds  a  member   seat  

within  the  UN  General  Assembly;  this  same  right  is  not  given  to  the  stateless  Palestinians.  

As   a   member   state   Israel   is   to   be   held   accountable   for   carrying   out   any   human   rights  

violations,  or   for  breaking   international   law  in  any   form;  however.  This   is  not  always  the  

case.168  Israel,  who’s  biggest  ally  and  supporter   is   the  United  States,   is  almost  able   to  get  

away   with   all   of   its   actions   as   the   U.S.   uses   its   veto   power   within   the   United   Nations  

Security   Council   to   uphold   any   rulings   against   the   Israeli   state.169  Not   to   mention   the  

United   States   is   always   going   against   any  UN   resolution   that   depicts   Israel   in   a   negative  

light.170    

  Essentially   Israel   is   able   and   willing   to   act   as   an   international   law   violator,   and  

escape  the  consequences  of  international  law  due  to  “the  get  out  of  jail  free  card”  given  to  it  

by   the  United  States.171  The   role  of   the  United  Nations,   specifically   the   role  of   the  United  

States  within  the  UN  to  relieve  Israel  of  its  crimes  and  not  hold  it  accountable  for  its  actions  

against   the  Palestinian  people,   is  a  drastic  missing  element   in  the   issue  of   the  Palestinian  

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state.  The  lack  of  hard  power  to  hold  Israel  accountable  for  its  crimes  is  continuing  to  hurt  

the  Palestinian  population  daily.    

  A  very  good  example  of  how  Israel  is  able  to  act  untouched  and  uninfluenced  by  the  

rest  of  the  international  community  was  in  2002  when  Israel  began  to  build  the  “security  

fence”  also  known  as  the  apartheid  wall  within  the  West  Bank,  and  the  Gaza  strip  freeing  up  

more  Palestinian  land  to  be  taken  under  control  by  Israel.  In  2004  the  International  Court  

of  Justice  condemned  Israel’s  actions  of  building  a  security  fence  inside  the  West  Bank  for  

the   purpose   of   self-­‐defense.172  It   is   times   like   these   when   the   international   community  

including   the   United   Nations,   step   in   and   condemn   Israel’s   actions,   but   never   actually  

intervene  to  stop  Israel.      

  The  United  Nations  as  an   institution  suffers   from  real  hard  power  and   teeth   to  be  

able   to   hold   Israel   accountable   for   any   crime.   The   Untied   Nations   can   point   out   all   the  

crimes  in  the  world;  however,   if   it  won’t  stop  those  actors  from  committing  those  crimes.  

What  good  does  it  do  to  report  about  them,  other  then  providing  stats  to  NGOs  and  rising  

awareness?    

  After   the   Operation   Cast   Lead   and   the  War   on   Gaza   was   finally   over,   the   United  

Nations   sent   in   a   special   investigation   unit   headed   under   Justice   Richard   Goldstone   to  

conduct   an   investigation   for   human   rights   violations   committed   by   Hamas   and   Israel  

throughout   the   War.173  The   findings   of   the   Goldstone   Report   provided   overwhelming  

evidence  against  the  state  of  Israel  and  its  violation  of  international  law  and  use  of  illegal  

chemical   weapons   on   a   civilian   population.   The   Goldstone   Report   was   first   widely  

contested  by  Israel  when  it  first  came  out,  as  many  Israelis  believe  the  United  Nations  has  a  

negative  slant  against  the  state  of  Israel  and  no  other  state  in  the  world.  174  

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  Israel   is   a   fully   developed   country   with   a   very   advanced   military   and   weapons,  

funded  by   the  U.S.   Israel   and   its  military   are  often   compared   to   the  Palestinians   and   the  

Palestinian  people  without  any  military,  but  rather  individual  insurgent  groups  who  carry  

out  attacks  against  the  state  of  Israel.  Both  the  Israeli  and  Palestinian  people  are  to  be  held  

accountable   for   their   actions   against   the   other.   Still,   it   is   very   clear   that   Israel   has  more  

power  and  control  with  in  the  region,  using  a  military  against  a  civilian  population  in  claims  

of  self-­‐defense  is  no  longer  justifiable.    

  Since   the   repeated   failures   of   peace   talks   and   attempts  with   the   Israeli   state,   the  

Palestinian  people  have  now  been  seeking  to  use  the  United  Nations  in  a  new  way  to  bring  

about  accountability  to  the  state  of  Israel  and  its  crimes  against  the  Palestinian  people.175  

The   Palestinian   leadership   unlike   many   other   conventional   attempts   at   peace   is   now  

seeking   recognition   as   a   sovereign   independent   state   through   UN   membership   and  

application  as  a  nation  state.    

  The   Palestinian   application   for   statehood   through   the   United   Nations   is   very  

symbolic   and   groundbreaking   for   the   future   struggling   Palestinian   state.   The   Palestinian  

Authority   submitted  a  UN  member  State  application   is  September  2011  with  high  hopes.  

However,   the  United  States  has  already   illustrated   that   it  will   veto   such  an  action.176  The  

United  States  sees  it  most  appropriate  for  Israel  and  Palestine  to  reach  a  peace  agreement  

through  direct  negotiations  as  was  established  in  the  Oslo  agreements  in  1993.177    

  The  United  Nations  is  proving  to  be  more  and  more  of  an  ineffective  system  of  world  

governance  and  cooperation.  The  powerful  states  stay  on  top  and  attempt  to  dictate  what  is  

admissible   and   impermissible   for   other   member   states   to   do,   while   also   serving   and  

protecting   their  powerful   allies.  The  Palestinian   issue  will  not  be   solved  directly   through  

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the  United  Nations;  rather  the  United  Sates  has  been  fighting  for  credit  of  a  peace  deal   in  

the  region  with  each  coming  and  going  president  promising  a  peace  deal  between  the  Israel  

and  the  Palestinians.  178  

 

 

The  United  States  and  Palestine  

  The  United  States  has  taken  on  the  position  of  a  global  power  since  the  end  of  the  

Second   World   War,   and   expanded   its   power   at   the   end   of   the   Cold   War,   ending   the  

Communist  threat  at  the  beginning  of  1990.  Since  the  United  States  no  longer  had  to  worry  

about  a  rival  super  power,   it  was  now  able  to  tilt   its  perspective  on  the  rest  of   the  world  

and   offer   it’s   vision   of   peace.   The   United   States   first   got   involved   in   direct   negotiations  

between  the  Israelis  and  Palestinians  during  the  Oslo  talks  starting  in  1993.  179  

  Since   the  United  States  has  been   involved   in   the  peace   efforts  between   Israel   and  

Palestine,   it  has  refused  to   leave.  Not  to  mention,  the  United  States   likes  to  play  the  main  

role  of  mediator  between  both  parties.  However  this  role  is  never  efficiently  played  by  the  

United  States,  as  it  is  the  biggest  known  ally  to  Israel.180    Making  its  role  biased  against  the  

Palestinian  cause.    Although  the  United  States  may  claim  that  it  wants  to  bring  peace  to  the  

region,   it   actually   is   only   playing   an   active   role   in   ensuing   Israel’s   image   of   peace  

agreements,  and  showing  complete  disregard  to  the  Palestinian  efforts  to  end  this  conflict.    

Ultimately  the  United  States  has  been  far  more  concerned  with  the  process  to  peace,  

but  not   really  peace   itself.  This   can  be   seen  with   the  United  State’s   latest   reaction   to   the  

Palestinian  statehood  bid  in   last  September.181  As  a  result  of  the  UNSECO  victory  given  to  

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the  Palestinian  people,  the  United  States  pulled  all  of  its  funding  from  UN  organization  as  it  

does  not  support  any  government  or  body  that  recognizes  a  Palestinian  state.  182  

  The  United  States  and   Israel  have  such  a  key  relationship  due   to   the  power  of   the  

American  Israeli  Public  Affairs  Committee  (APIAC).183    APIAC  is  leading  Israeli  lobby  group  

with  a  dominant  presence  on  capital  hill,   and  a  key   influence  group  on  American   foreign  

policy   towards   the   region.  184  The   lobby  group  has  been  known   to  provide  newly  elected  

members  of  congress  a  free  trip  to  Israel.  All  they  ask  for  in  return  is  support  towards  any  

Israeli   friendly   policies   and   protection   of   the   national   interest   of   the   Israeli   state.185  The  

lobby   group   has   gained   so   much   influence   over   the   years   that   every   U.S.   presidential  

candidate   needs   to   be   approved   by   the   lobby   group   for   a   chance   at   the   presidency.186  

APIAC  has  also  become  so  powerful  that  it  is  no  longer  benefiting  the  state  of  Israel,  at  time  

even  hurting  the  public  image  of  the  state.187  The  lobby  group  with  all  of  its  political  power  

and   financial  backing   leads   to  a  very  unproductive  government   that   is   forced  to   lean  one  

way,   and   at   the   same   time   acting   on   its   own   agenda   outside   the   interest   of   the   Israeli  

state.188  With   the   very   dominant   political   lobbying   group   in   Washington   DC,   APIPAC  

attempts   to   provide   the   foundation   for   pro-­‐Israeli   policy   with   American   politics.  189  The  

group  is  also  effective  in  blocking  anything  that  is  deemed  anti-­‐Israel,  or  Pro-­‐Palestinian.190    

  Although  the  line  cannot  be  directly  drawn,  the  main  reason  that  President  Obama  is  

refusing  to  accept  a  Palestinian  state  through  the  United  Nations,  is  due  to  major  political  

pressure   from   the   dominant   lobby   group.   Obama   was   a   stronger   supporter   of   the  

Palestinian  cause  prior  to  his  major  political  career  as  president.  His  politics  have  changed  

with  his  presidency,  however  he  still  was  caught  criticizing  Netanyahu  when  he  forget  his  

mic  on,  after  meeting  with  the  leader.  191  

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  Israel  and  the  U.S.  are  doing  very  good  job  of  managing  the  conflict  to  their  benefit,  

but  they  have  not  figured  out  how  to  effectively  and  justly  end  the  conflict.    

  Israel   and   the   United   States   have   a   unique   bond   to   each   other,   as   they   are   both  

countries  that  started  on  the  same  bases  on  settler  communities  into  an  indigenous  land.  A  

land  made  out  to  be  empty  and  waiting  for  the  people  from  different  parts  of  the  world  to  

come  live  there.  The  United  States  and  Israel  also  share  the  same  qualities  when  it  comes  to  

dealing  with  the  indigenous  populations  of  the  land.  Essentially  if  the  United  States  were  to  

be  created  in  our  modern  day  and  time,  and  not  in  1778,  it  would  be  called  Israel.    

  The   poor   treatment   of   indigenous   people   across   the  world   has   been   an   on   going  

predatory  trend  practiced  by  Western  imperial  powers.192    The  United  States  may  claim  to  

be   supporting   the  Palestinian   cause,   but   the   full   support  of   the  United   States   sits  behind  

Israel.  The  Palestinian  issue  is  relevant  in  the  world  today  because  the  Palestinian  people  

are  striving  hard  to  ensure  ending  this  conflict  and  gaining  their  state.193  The  United  States  

has  not  been  able  to  provide  any  support  to  the  Palestinian  people  due  to  their  indigenous  

heritage   to   the   land.   How   ironic   would   it   be   if   the   United   States   were   to   broker   a   deal  

between   imperial   Israel   and   the   indigenous  Palestinians,  while   bluntly   failing   to   address  

the  United  State’s  own  indigenous  population  or  the  Native  American  Tribes.    The  Native  

Americans  here   failed   against   the  American   government,  which  denied   their   sovereignty  

and  independence.194  The  United  States  is  well  aware  of  the  ongoing  poor  treatment  of  the  

Palestinian  people;  still,  it  has  not  stopped  aiding  Israel  with  large  amounts  of  foreign  aid  in  

grants  and  weapons.  195  

If   the   United   States   recognizes   a   Palestinian   state,   it   would   also   be   forced   to  

recognize   all   of   the   international   laws   violated   by   Israel   and   the   American   government,  

  42  

which  established  would  hold   it   accountable   for   reparations  while   cause  and  enforcer  of  

the  occupation.  The  United  States  and  Israel  will  be  held  accountable  together  because  they  

provide  a  vital  role  for  the  other.  The  U.S.  provides  Israel  weapons  and  money  in  order  to  

hold   down   a   strong   hold   of   influence   in   the   Middle   East,   almost   like   a   permanent  

militarized  state  that  shares  the  same  enemies,  while  at   the  same  time  ignoring  all  of   the  

human  rights  violations  and  crimes  Israel  has  committed  against  the  Palestinian  population  

in  the  region.  196  

This  is  not  to  say  the  United  States  is  not  a  primary  actor  supporting  the  Palestinian  

people  through  USAID  projects  helping  to  advance  the  infrastructure  of  the  region.  USAID  

has   been   the   only   American   organization   to   provide   the   Palestinian   people   with   the  

necessary  tools  to  start  and  create  an  educational  buffer  in  the  region.197    

If  the  United  States  wants  to  bring  a  real  end  to  the  Palestinian  conflict,  it  needs  to  

not   think   of   itself   as   the   sole   answer,   because   statehood   can   be   reached   through  many  

alternative   routes.   Israel   declared   statehood   in   1945   and   was   recognized   almost  

instantaneously. 198  The   same   process   of   self-­‐determinations   was   attempted   by   the  

Palestinians  in  2011  and  turned  down  almost  immediately  by  the  U.S.    

The  United  States  is  a  great  world  power;  however,  its  influence  and  power  gets  in  

the  way  in  providing  real  peace  and  justice  throughout  the  world.  The  Israeli  Occupation  of  

the  Palestinian  territories  is  a  prime  example  of  the  failure  of  the  United  States  to  address  

the  real  issue  of  global  injustice  and  world  peace.  Turning  a  blind  eye  to  a  pressing  problem  

not  the  solution  to  the  suffering  indigenous  Palestinian  people.    

 

 

  43  

 

 

 

 

 

The  Palestinian  Nation    

  Due  to  the  history  of  the  conflict  and  occupation,  Palestinians  naturally  place  more  

value   in   their   identity   and   heritage.199  The   treaty   of  Westphalia   in   1648   established   the  

sovereign   state   in   order   to   protect   the   collective   national   interest   of   the   geo-­‐politically  

defined   region.   Since   1948   the   Palestinian   nation   has   been   seeking   a   similar   sovereign  

statehood,  much  like  the  rest  of  the  nation  states  existing  around  the  world.  The  Palestinian  

nation,  unlike  many  other  nations,  has  been  left  to  fend  for  itself  to  become  a  state  in  the  

midst  of  the  modern  day  power  play.    

  The  Palestinian  Nation  is  unique  amongst  a  number  of  ingenious  groups  all  seeking  

sovereignty  to  the  land,  like  the  Catalonians  in  Barcelona  Spain,  or  the  Zapatistas  group  in  

Mexico.     The   Palestinian   nation   holds   a   much   stronger   presence   throughout   the   world  

simply   due   to   refugees   living   in   the   diaspora   internationally.   The   Palestinian   diaspora  

outside  of  the  Middle  East  has  helped  create  a  bond  of  networks  in  the  United  States  and  in  

Latin   America   amongst   Palestinians   living   outside   of   Palestine;   further   strengthen   a  

national  identity.    

  The  Palestinian  Nation  experiences   its  main   struggle   in   the   regions,   especially   the  

divide  between  the  West  Bank,  and  the  Gaza  Strip.  The  different  political  parties  ruling  in  

  44  

the  West  and  Gaza  is  the  creation  and  outcome  of  the  Israeli  Occupation,  and  attempting  to  

permanently  divide  the  Palestinian  people  on  to  distinctly  different  paths.    

  The  role  of   the  Palestinian  nation   in  the   international  community  has  helped  raise  

awareness  about  the  militarized  Occupation,  and  even  in  some  instances  launching  full  BDS  

(boycott,   divest   and   sanction)   towards   Israel.200  The   Palestinian   nation   has   remained  

unified   due   to   the   struggle   for   progress   and   change   in   the   region.   First   generation  

Palestinians   living   abroad   are   often   dreaming   of   returning   to   the   land   their   families  

originate   from,   and   their   ancestors   lived.     It   is   this   very   dream,   and   romanticism   that  

strengthens  the  Palestinian  national  identity.201    

  In  the  world  today,  the  Palestinian  people  may  be  stateless  for  the  time  being.  Still,  

the   Palestinian   people   share  with   the  world   an   example   of   one   of   the   strongest   ongoing  

nations  fighting  against  Occupation,  and  the  dismantlement  of  their  homeland.  The  power  

of  the  nation,  of  the  people  united  over  the  same  cause  has  provided  the  Palestinian  people  

with  a  working   infrastructure   in  order  to  continue  educating  the  world  about  their  cause  

and   the   denial   of   their   rights.   Although   Palestinians   do   not   have   a   sovereign   state,   their  

hopes   have   been   kept   alive   through   the   Palestinian   nation,   through   the   stories   brought  

down   from   generation   to   generation   educating   the   youth   about   the   past,   in   order   to  

promote  a  possible  future  trajectory  for  independence.    

  The  Palestinian  nation  must  also  come  to  terms  with  peacefully  coexisting  a  strong  

Israeli  state  along  side  of  it  as  well.  Peace  in  the  region  will  come  through  mutual  respect  of  

both  nations  for  each  other  as  human  beings  and  neighboring  states.  The  past  has  made  it  

extremely  difficult  for  both  Israeli’s  and  Palestinians  from  forgetting  about  the  terror  that  

once   shook   the   region.   It   is   ever  more   important  not   to   look  at   the  past,   and   turn   to   the  

  45  

future.  Seeking  revenge  will  perpetuate  violence;  rather  one  must  look  at  the  past  and  learn  

how  to  improve  the  future.    

  The  answer  to  Palestinian  Israeli  conflict  is  the  lack  of  bridge  builders  between  both  

nations,  and  peoples.  The  separation  wall  that  is  currently  up  will  never  ensure  peace  in  the  

region;   rather   it   provides   an   elite   feeling   to   the   citizens   living   outside   of   the   wall   and  

feelings   of   subordination   to   the   citizens   living   within   the   Palestinian   territories.   The  

promotion   of   peace   in   the   region   is   always   on   going,   but   never   directed   to   the   most  

important  candidates,  the  right-­‐wingers.  

  The   political   and   ideological   extremes   from   both   nations   have   created   a   great  

number  of  negative  side  affects  for  the  populations  to  face.    

  The  Palestinian  nation  is  strong  symbolically  however,  not  strong  enough  to  take  on  

international  powers  and  institutions.    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  46  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conclusion  

  The  missing  elements  to  a  Palestinian  State  are  man  made  and  created  by  Israel,  and  

disregarded  by  the  international  community  due  to  the  United  State’s  protection  of  Israel.    

The  missing  economy,   lack  of  dignity,  and   lack  of  unification  by   the  Palestinian  people   in  

the   Occupied   Territories   are   all   some   of   the   major   elements   the   Palestinian   leadership  

needs  to  work  to  overcome.  All  of  these  elements  are  by  products  of  the  Occupation  and  the  

overarching  power  Israel  has  thanks  to  the  United  States  very  kind  foreign  policy  towards  

their  ally.      

  The   Palestinian   state   remains   an   unanswered   question   as   we   enter   2012.   The  

Palestinian   people   and   refugees   living   all   over   the   world   have   been   waiting   and   will  

continue   to   wait   until   their   dreams   of   a   homeland   in   Palestine   is   created.   The   missing  

elements   are   not   missing,   rather   they   are   being   held   back   in   an   effort   to   control   the  

population   and   continue   the   cycle   of   Western   Imperialism   and   exploitation   of   the  

Palestinian  land  and  people.  The  injustice  the  Palestinian  people  cannot  go  on  much  longer  

and  the  world  needs  to  draw  its  attention  on  Israel  and  apply  pressure  on  the  state  in  order  

to  reach  and  implement  peace  agreement  with  the  Palestinian  people.    

  47  

     Questions  about  such  as  the   illegal  settlements,  and  annexation  of  East   Jerusalem  

all   need   to   be   dealt   with.   The   Palestinian   nation   has   been   pushing   for   over   63   years   in  

order  to  not  get  shorthanded.  The  opposite  has  been  occurring  in  front  of  the  international  

community.   The   Occupation   is   not   a   natural   event   it   is   man   made,   and   we   are   still  

witnessing  it  today  in  our  so-­‐called  modern  and  developed  world.    

  The   people   who   have   seen   the   truth   can   reach   true   peace   and   justice.   The  

Palestinians  live  the  truth  everyday.    

 

                                                                                                               The  State    1  Gene  M.  Lyons  &  Michael  Mastanduno,  Beyond  Westphalia?  :  State  Sovereignty  and  International  Intervention  (Baltimore:  The  Johns  Hopkins  University  Press,  1995),  5.    2  Lyons,  5.    3  Sean  D.  Murphy,  Principles  of  International  Law  (St.  Paul:  Thomson  West,  2006),  31-­‐32.    4  Bernard  Reich,  Arab-­Israeli  Conflict  and  Conciliation:  A  Documented  History  (Westport:  Greenwood  Press,  1995),  8.      5  Gudrun  Krämer,  A  History  of  Palestine:  From  The  Ottoman  Conquest  to  the  Founding  of  the  State  of  Israel  (New  Jersey,  Princeton  University  Press  and  Oxford,  2008),  314-­‐315.      History  of  the  Conflict  6  Hasan  El-­‐Hasan,  Is  the  Two-­State  Solution  Already  Dead  (New  York:  Algora  Publishing,  2010),  40.      

7  El-­‐Hasan,  56.    8  Gudrun  Krämer,  A  History  of  Palestine:  From  The  Ottoman  Conquest  to  the  Founding  of  the  State  of  Israel  (New  Jersey,  Princeton  University  Press  and  Oxford,  2008),  304.  9  Krämer,  305.    10  Bernard  Reich,  Arab-­Israeli  Conflict  and  Conciliation:  A  Documented  History  (Westport:  Greenwood  Press,  1995),  8.  11  Reich,  8.    12  Reich,  8.    13  Reich,  8-­‐9.  14  Gudrun  Krämer,  A  History  of  Palestine:  From  The  Ottoman  Conquest  to  the  Founding  of  the  State  of  Israel  (New  Jersey,  Princeton  University  Press  and  Oxford,  2008),  323.  15  Krämer,  323.    16  Krämer,  310-­‐325.    17  Bernard  Reich,  Arab-­Israeli  Conflict  and  Conciliation:  A  Documented  History  (Westport:  Greenwood  Press,  1995),  8-­‐9.  18  Reich,  97-­‐100.    

  48  

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     19  Benny  Morris,  The  Birth  of  the  Palestinian  refugee  Problem,  1947-­1949  (New  York:  Cambridge  University  Press,  1987),  29-­‐31.    20  Bernard  Reich,  Arab-­Israeli  Conflict  and  Conciliation:  A  Documented  History  (Westport:  Greenwood  Press,  1995),  9-­‐11.    21  Reich,  101.  22  Kenneth  W.  Stein,  Heoric  Diplomacy:  Sadat,  Kissinger,  Carter,  Begin,  And  Quest  for  Arab-­Israeli  Peace  (New  York:  Routledge,  1999),  8.  23  Gershom  Gorenberg,  The  Accidental  Empire:  Israel  and  the  Birth  of  the  Settlements,  1967-­1969  (  New  York:  Times  Books,  2006).    24  Bernard  Reich,  Arab-­Israeli  Conflict  and  Conciliation:  A  Documented  History  (Westport:  Greenwood  Press,  1995),  10-­‐12.    25  Reich,  11.    26  Ibid,  11.  27  Ibid,  11.    28  Ibid,  11.    29  Ilan  Pappé,  The  Forgotten  Palestinians:  A  History  of  the  Palestinians  in  Israel  (London:  Yale  University  Press,  2011),  172-­‐174.    30  Pappé,  172.  31  Ibid,  175.    32  Bernard  Reich,  Arab-­Israeli  Conflict  and  Conciliation:  A  Documented  History  (Westport:  Greenwood  Press,  1995),  13.    33  Reich,  229.  34  Ibid,  229-­‐230.    35  Ibid,  230-­‐233.    36  Ibid,  226.    37  Ofira  Seliktar,  Doomed  to  Failure?  :  The  Politics  and  Intelligence  of  The  Oslo  Peace  Process  (Santa  Barbara:  Praeger  Security  International,  2009),  33.      38  Seliktar,  79,  39  Ibid,  46.  40  Ibid,  99-­‐100.    41  Tamara  Cofman  Wittes,  How  Israelis  and  Palestinians  Negotiate:  A  Cross-­Cultural  Analysis  of  the  Oslo  Peace  Process  (Washington,  D.C.  :  United  States  Institute  of  Peace  Press,  2005),  33.      42  Maia  Carter  Hallward,  Struggling  for  a  Just  Peace:  Israeli  and  Palestinian  Activism  in  the  Second  Intifada  (Orlando:  University  Press  of  Florida,  2011),  45.    43  Hallward,  45-­‐47.    44  Ibid,  63-­‐64.  45  Dennis  Ross,  Olive  Tree  Initiative  Speech  (Sep  1,  2011)      46  As’ad  Ghanem,  Palestinian  Politics  After  Arafat:  A  Failed  National  Movement  (Bloomington:  Indiana  University  Press,  2010),  109.  47  Ghanem,  100-­‐109.    48  Ibid,  113.  49  Ibid,  125  

  49  

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     50  Ibid,  120-­‐125  51  Ibid,  139.  52  Ibid,  145  53  Ibid,  166  54  Ibid,  170  55  As’ad  Ghanem,  Palestinian  Politics  After  Arafat:  A  Failed  National  Movement  (Bloomington:  Indiana  University  Press,  2010),  160-­‐167.  56  Ian  Black,  Hamas-­Fatah  Reconcelation  Palestinian  Form  of  Arab  Spring,  http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/apr/27/palestinian-­‐form-­‐arab-­‐spring  (April,  2011)      57  Ethan  Bronner,  Olmert  Memoir  Cites  Near  Deal  for  Mideast  Peace,    http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/28/world/middleeast/28mideast.html?pagewanted=all  (January,  2011)  58  Paul  Wood,  Analysis:  Operation  Miscast  Lead?  http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7940624.stm  (March,  2009)    59  Wood.  60  Ethan  Bronner  &  Allan  Cowell,  Israel  Completes  Gaza  Withdrawal  http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/22/world/middleeast/22mideast.html?scp=207&sq=gaza&st=nyt  (January,  2009)    61    Mark  Regev,  September  16,  2010  62  Coulm  MacCann,  Arab  Spring,  http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/25/opinion/sunday/arab-­‐spring.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=arab%20spring&st=cse  (December,  2011)    63  Hamza  Hendawi,  Egypt  Elections:  The  Third  Round  of  Parliamentary  Vote  Begins,  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/03/egypt-­‐elections_n_1180502.html  (January,  2012)      64  Ian  Black,  Hamas-­Fatah  Reconcelation  Palestinian  Form  of  Arab  Spring,  http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/apr/27/palestinian-­‐form-­‐arab-­‐spring  (April,  2011)      65  Neil  MacFarquhar,  Palestinians  Inch  Closer  to  Rejection  at  U.N.  Body,  http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/04/world/middleeast/Palestinians-­‐United-­‐Nations-­‐Bid-­‐Moves-­‐Closer-­‐to-­‐Rejection.html  (Novemeber,  2011)        66  Ibrahim  Barzak,  Egypt  Gaza  Border  Reopened  Permanently,  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/28/egypt-­‐gaza-­‐border-­‐reopened_n_868390.html  (May,  2011)  67  Richard  Falk,  Welcoming  Palestine  to  UNESCO,  http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2011/11/20111128926149164.html  (December,  2011)  68  Falk.          Missing  Diplomatic  Elements    69  As’ad  Ghanem,  Palestinian  Politics  After  Arafat:  A  Failed  National  Movement  (Bloomington:  Indiana  University  Press,  2010)    70  Bernard  Reich,  Arab-­Israeli  Conflict  and  Conciliation:  A  Documented  History  (Westport:  Greenwood  Press,  1995).  

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     71  Riech.  72  Ibid.    73  Ahmad  Moor,  Why  Palestinians  Are  Second  Class  Citizens  In  Lebanon,  http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/jun/24/middleeast-­‐palestinian-­‐territories  (June,  2010).    74  Bernard  Reich,  Arab-­Israeli  Conflict  and  Conciliation:  A  Documented  History  (Westport:  Greenwood  Press,  1995)  75  Ofira  Seliktar,  Doomed  to  Failure?  :  The  Politics  and  Intelligence  of  The  Oslo  Peace  Process  (Santa  Barbara:  Praeger  Security  International,  2009)  76  As’ad  Ghanem,  Palestinian  Politics  After  Arafat:  A  Failed  National  Movement  (Bloomington:  Indiana  University  Press,  2010)  77  Ghanem.    7878  Abdul  Malk-­‐Jaber,  September  8,  2011  79  Jaber.  80  Ibid.    81  Reich,  101.    82  Selktar.    83  Reich.    84  Jaber.    85  Ibid  86  Ibid  87  Text:  Arab  peace  plan  of  2002,  http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/1844214.stm  (May,  2005)  88  Danny  Tirza,  September  4,  2011.      89  Jaber    90  Selktar    91  Reich    92  Selktar    93  Ibid  94  Dennis  Ross,  August  30,  2011.    95  Ross.    96  Hisham  Majali,  September  7,  2011  97  Majali.    98  Ibid.    99  Reich.    100  Ibid  101  Ibid  102  Ibid  103  Taiseer  Maray,  Sepetember10,  2011.      104  Reich    105  Ibid.    106  Ibid.    107  Ibid.  108  Ibid.  109  Dennis  Ross,  August  30,  2011.    

  51  

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     110  Bassem  Eid,  September  3,  2011.    111  Nabil  Shaath,  September  14,  2011.      112  Russia  backs  Palestinian  state,  http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2011/01/201111816449558559.html  (Jan,  2011)    Self  Determination    113  Shaath.    114  Eid.    115  Shaath  116  As’ad  Ghanem,  Palestinian  Politics  After  Arafat:  A  Failed  National  Movement  (Bloomington:  Indiana  University  Press,  2010)  117  Maia  Carter  Hallward,  Struggling  for  a  Just  Peace:  Israeli  and  Palestinian  Activism  in  the  Second  Intifada  (Orlando:  University  Press  of  Florida,  2011)    Talk  of  Peace  118  Jaber    Occupation  Industry  Missing  Economy  119  Eid  120  Eid  121  Ibid  122  Ibid  123Ibid  124  Ibid  125  Baseem  Eid,  September  4,  2011.  126  Jaber.      Missing  Freedom  and  Dignity    127  Forsan  Hussein,  September  4,  2011.    128  Shaath    129  Ibid  130  Naftali  Balanson,  September  4,  2011.    131  Eid  132  Dennis  Ross,  August  30,  2011.    133  Ibid  134  Yossi  Beilin,  September  13,  2011.    135  Ross  136  Hallward    137  Shaath    138  Ibid    Gaze  Vs.  The  West  Bank    139  Ross  140  Ruben  Steward,  September  14,  2011.    

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     141  Yossi  Beilin,  September  13,  2011.    142  Beilin.    143  As’ad  Ghanem,  Palestinian  Politics  After  Arafat:  A  Failed  National  Movement  (Bloomington:  Indiana  University  Press,  2010)  144  Ian  Black,  Hamas-­Fatah  Reconcelation  Palestinian  Form  of  Arab  Spring,  http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/apr/27/palestinian-­‐form-­‐arab-­‐spring  (April,  2011)      145  Steward.    146  Bassem  Eid,  September  3,  2011.        147  Sami  Abdelhalim,  October,  2001.    148  Ghaben.  149  Ibid.    150  Steward.    151  Ibid.    152  Beilin.    153  Steward.    154  Yitzhak  Benhorin,  UN:  Gaza  Blockade  –  collective  punishment  http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-­‐4177710,00.html  (January,  2012)    155  Benhorin.    156  Basel  Mansour,  September  14,  2011.  157  Nabil  Shaath    158  Sean  D.  Murphy,  Principles  of  International  Law  (St.  Paul:  Thomson  West,  2006)    160  Bernard  Reich,  Arab-­Israeli  Conflict  and  Conciliation:  A  Documented  History  (Westport:  Greenwood  Press,  1995)  161  Reich.    162  Key  Documents,  Un  Partition  Plan  http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/middle_east/2001/israel_and_the_palestinians/key_documents/1681322.stm  (November,  2001)    163  Mazin  Qumsiyeh,  September  17,  2010.    164  John  Ging,  September  16,,  2010.  165  Ging.    166  Ibid.      168  Qumsiyeh.    169  Duncan  Clark,  May  12,  2011.    170  Clark.    172  Legal  Consequences  of  the  Construction  of  a  Wall  in  the  Occupied  Palestinian  Territory  http://www.icj-­‐cij.org/docket/files/131/1671.pdf  (July,  2004)  173  UN  News  Center,  UN  mission  finds  evidence  of  war  crimes  by  both  sides  in  Gaza  conflict  (September  2009)  174  Naftali  Balanson,  September  4,  2011.      175  Shaath    

  53  

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     176  Ibid.    177  Henry  Porter,  An  American  veto  of  Palestine  statehood  would  be  a  tragedy,  http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/sep/18/henry-­‐porter-­‐palestine-­‐statehood-­‐bid  (September,  2011)    178  Clark.    The  United  States  and  Palestine  179  Reich.    180  Clark.    181  Porter.    182  Harriet  Sherwood,  US  pulls  Unesco  funding  after  Palestine  is  granted  full  membership,  http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/oct/31/unesco-­‐backs-­‐palestinian-­‐membership  (October,  2011)      183  Duncan  Calrk,  May  12,  2011.    184  Calrk.    185  Ibid.    186  Ibid.    187  Duncan  Clark,  May  12,  2011.  188  Duncan  Cark,  May  12,  2011.    189  John  J.  Mearshimer  &  Stephen  F.  Walt,  The  Israeli  Lobby  (New  York:  Farrar,  Straus  and  Giroux,  2007)  190  Mearshimer  &  Walt.    191  Ewen  MacAskill,  Obama's  Netanyahu  mic  slip  draws  ire  from  Republicans,  http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/nov/08/obama-­‐netanyahu-­‐comment-­‐sarkozy  (November,  2011)  192  Hiroshi  Fukurai,  October  2011.    193  George  Rishmawi,  September  17,  2010.    194  Fukurai.    195  Clark.    196  Clark.  197  Antonio  Galli,  September  4,  2011.      198  Clark.    199  Forsan  Hussein,  September  4,  2011.  200  Mazin  Qumsiyeh,  September  17,  2010.    201  Nura  Sharrab,  September  8,  2011.