What Are the Main Obstacles to a ‘Two-State Solution’ to the Israel-Palestine Conflict? Essay Example
What are the main obstacles to a ‘two-state solution’ to the Israel-Palestine conflict?
On December 1st 2003, a group of Palestinian and Israeli experts presented a plan which could serve as a blueprint for a ‘two-state solution’ to the Israel-Palestine conflict. (Golan, 2008) It was presented in Geneva and is therefore often referred to as the ‘Geneva accord’.
It states that the conflict and all claims would have to end and that Israel and Palestine have to mutually recognize their right to two separate states as well as agreeing on a final border. Furthermore, there will be a comprehensive solution to the refugee problem and the large settlement blocks as well as most of the settlers will be annexed to Israel, as part of a 1:1 land swap. The Jewish neighbourhoods in Jerusalem will be recognized as the Israeli capital and the Arab ones as the Palestinian capital. The new Palestinian state will be demilitarized as well as committed to fighting terrorism and incitement. An international verification group shall oversee the implementation of all the measures. (The Geneva Initiative, 2008)
From an outsider’s point of view, the details of the two-state solution seem feasible, fair and logical. However, there are several major obstacles on the path towards peace in Israel.
For a start, there seems to be a lack of political will from significant parts of both sides.
On the Palestinian side, a majority does support direct negotiations and the peace process despite the current difficulties. The two-state solution is supported by 60 percent of the population, but only half of the people that support it see it as a final arrangement. Most merely see it as a stage in the process for one Palestinian state. (The Israel Project, 2010) There are two political parties in Palestine, nominally Fatah and Hamas. The latter, which is in control of the Gaza Strip and is currently the stronger of the two major political parties inside Palestine, does not recognize Israel and does
On December 1st 2003, a group of Palestinian and Israeli experts presented a plan which could serve as a blueprint for a ‘two-state solution’ to the Israel-Palestine conflict. (Golan, 2008) It was presented in Geneva and is therefore often referred to as the ‘Geneva accord’.
It states that the conflict and all claims would have to end and that Israel and Palestine have to mutually recognize their right to two separate states as well as agreeing on a final border. Furthermore, there will be a comprehensive solution to the refugee problem and the large settlement blocks as well as most of the settlers will be annexed to Israel, as part of a 1:1 land swap. The Jewish neighbourhoods in Jerusalem will be recognized as the Israeli capital and the Arab ones as the Palestinian capital. The new Palestinian state will be demilitarized as well as committed to fighting terrorism and incitement. An international verification group shall oversee the implementation of all the measures. (The Geneva Initiative, 2008)
From an outsider’s point of view, the details of the two-state solution seem feasible, fair and logical. However, there are several major obstacles on the path towards peace in Israel.
For a start, there seems to be a lack of political will from significant parts of both sides.
On the Palestinian side, a majority does support direct negotiations and the peace process despite the current difficulties. The two-state solution is supported by 60 percent of the population, but only half of the people that support it see it as a final arrangement. Most merely see it as a stage in the process for one Palestinian state. (The Israel Project, 2010) There are two political parties in Palestine, nominally Fatah and Hamas. The latter, which is in control of the Gaza Strip and is currently the stronger of the two major political parties inside Palestine, does not recognize Israel and does