The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

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Introduction

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is one of the most controversial conflicts in modern history. The expansion of Israel since 1947 is seen as the beginning of the conflict, although its origins go back to the end of the 19th century, when Jewish immigration to Palestine began to increase. Since the start of the conflict, several peace negotiations have been carried out, resulting in variable degrees of success.

This essay will focus on how theorists of peace and conflict have analysed the conflict in recent history. Especially, the peace process after the first Palestinian intifada and the 1993 Oslo-agreements will be analysed. In addition, this essay will shed light on the involvement of the United States in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It is not a secret at all that the US has a close relationship with Israel. How was this relationship realized? Taking into account that the US currently is one of the biggest powers in the world, what is the effect of this relationship on the conflict?

First, a summary of the conflict history between Israel and Palestine since 1947 will be given. Second, the views regarding conflict/peace negotiations of several theorists will be discussed. This analysis also includes an inquiry of the position of the US regarding the conflict. Finally, the foregoing will be summarised in the conclusion.

Background

In February 1947, Great Britain left their former colony in Palestine, leaving the mandate to the United Nations (UN). World War II just had ended, resulting in the systematic killing of six million Jews. The holocaust culminated in almost all Jews accepting that they needed a state of their own, what is basically the key idea of Zionism (Dowty, 2008; 80-81). The holocaust...

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