The Challenges of Resolving the Israeli–Palestinian Dispute : An Impossible Peace?

'Balanced and cogently argued, this important and original book should be read by anyone who wants to better understand the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and why it remains so intractable. Even when I disagree with Bren Carlill, I find his ideas compelling.' --Yossi Klein Halevi, Senior Fellow, Shalom Hartman Institute, and author of Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor This book explains why the Israeli-Palestinian dispute is so difficult to resolve by showing that it consists of multiple distinct conflicts. Because these tend to be conflated into a single conflict, attempts at peace have not worked. Underpinned by conflict theory, observations of those involved and analyses of polling data, the book argues that peace will not be possible until each of the dispute's distinct conflicts are managed. Early chapters establish a theoretical framework to explain and define the different conflicts. This framework is then applied to the history of the dispute. The actions and perceptions of Israelis and Palestinians make sense when viewed through this framework. The Oslo peace process is examined in detail to explain how and why each side's expectations were not met. Ultimately, lessons in ways to build a future viable peace are drawn from the failures of the past. Bren Carlill has spent over 20 years professionally or academically focused on the Israeli-Palestinian dispute, including living in Israel for several years. He has also worked in Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Department of Home Affairs, where he focused on the civil and human rights conditions and the security situations of various Middle East and South Asian countries. Preface Contents List of Tables 1 Introduction A Condensed History The Oslo Peace Process Is Peace Possible? Chapter Outline References Part I The Territorial/Existential Dichotomy 2 Multiple Conflicts Conflict Theory Definition of Conflict Conflict Systems Other Acknowledgements of Multiple Conflicts Categorising Conflict Multiple Issues or Multiple Conflicts? Limiting the Number of Conflicts References 3 Two Types of Conflict Territorial and Existential Conflicts Mitchell’s Five Conflict Issues vs the Territorial/Existential Dichotomy Conflicts of Interest, Conflicts of Values Conflicts of Attribution, Conflicts of Means References 4 Three Distinct Conflicts National and Religious Conflicts The Religious-Existential Conflicts The Settler Religious-Existential Conflict The Islamist Religious-Existential Conflict National-Existential Conflicts Coexistent Conflicts Create Complications Existentialists Lose Legitimacy When Peace Processes Succeed Existentialists Gain Legitimacy When Peace Processes Fail Misinterpreting Territorialist Actions as Existentialist Managing the Existential Conflicts Managing Settlers Managing Islamists References 5 Why the Dichotomy Is Overlooked Viewing the Dispute Through Only One Lens Why Do Westerners not Perceive Religious-Existential Conflicts? Conclusion References Part II The History of the Dispute (until 1993) 6 Before 1947 Israelis Palestinians References 7 1947–1967 Israelis Palestinians References 8 1967–1973 Israelis The Politicisation of Mizrachi Jews The Possibility of Territorial Exchange Palestinians References 9 1973–1982 Israelis Egypt–Israel Peace Gush Emunim Evolution of the Peace Camp Palestinians A Change in Palestinian Tactics The Oil Weapon The End of Pan-Arabism References 10 1982–1993 Israel The Intifada Palestinians The Creation of Hamas The Beginnings of the Peace Process Part II Conclusion References Part III The Oslo Peace Process 11 Israeli Perceptions of Palestinian Actions What Did Israelis Expect from Oslo? Terrorism Incitement The Impact of Incitement References 12 Other Israeli Perceptions Division Between Religious and Secular International Legitimacy Camp David and the Second Intifada Was the Palestinian Authority Existentialist? Land-for-Peace—Peace-for-Land References 13 Palestinian Perceptions of External Factors Settlements Are Settlements Illegal? Are Settlements an Obstacle to Peace? Settlements in the Oslo Agreements Settlements in Light of the Territorial/Existential Dichotomy Checkpoints Checkpoints in Light of the Territorial/Existential Dichotomy Progress Towards Statehood Refugees and Jerusalem—Other Obstacles Slowing Progress Progress Towards Statehood in Light of the Territorial/Existential Dichotomy References 14 Palestinian Perceptions of Internal Factors Palestinian Corruption and the Lack of Democracy Economy The Impact of Israeli Economic Dominance and Occupation The Impact of Corruption Camp David A Conflict of Identity The Naqba and the Palestinian Refugees Avoiding Changing Narratives Unity: Political Territorialism vs Popular Existentialism References Part IV The Post-Oslo Period 15 Continuing Trends Trend 1—Exacerbating Perceptions of Existentialism Violence Diplomacy Trend 2—Continued Rise of Islamism Trend 3—Internal Palestinian Dynamics References 16 New Trends Trend 4—the Weakening of Negotiated Diplomacy Trend 5—Disenchantment with Leadership References Part V Alternatives to the Oslo Model 17 The Wrong Peace Process? A Comparison with Northern Ireland The ‘Wrong Process’ in Light of the Territorial/Existential Dichotomy A Final Status Agreement with No Interim Period Imposition Unilateralism Unilateral Withdrawal from the West Bank? Unilateral Declaration of Statehood? Other Unilateral Actions Unilateral Actions That Build Peace The Wrong Objective? Status Quo Ethnic Cleansing Federated State References 18 The One-State Solution? Said and Abunimah on the One-State Outcome What Is the ‘One-State Solution’? An Existentialist or Territorialist Proposal? Arguments in Favour of a One-State Outcome Arguments Against a One-State Outcome The Day After: Civil Violence Palestinian Concerns? The Territorial/Existential Dichotomy References 19 Conclusion Strengthening Territorialists Undermining Existentialists Index