The Israel-Palestine dispute is a decades old conflict that does not appear to be ending anytime soon. Since its inception, the conflict has exhibited a consistent pattern: escalation of tensions, followed by a military confrontation between both parties, resulting in days of direct violence against common Palestinians, and ending with a cease-fire proclamation, albeit in the presence of a mediator. This entire process of days of tension worsens the Palestinians condition and serves as the foundation for subsequent clashes. Currently, the conflict is depicting a picture in which human rights are being violated and explicit violations of international law are occurring.
Aggressive military clashes, the casual death of innocent Palestinians by Israeli forces, and the spread of “forceful settlements” of Jews in Palestinian-populated regions seem to have become frequent occurrences. Despite international efforts and the endeavors of the conflicting parties, the conflict continues to damage the lives of Palestinians who are denied their basic rights and necessities.
Every military conflict between Palestinian militia groups and Israeli forces, which ultimately benefits no one, has resulted in the death of Palestinians. The most recent clash between Israeli forces and Hamas in 2021 is estimated to have killed nearly 200 Palestinians and displaced approximately 72,000 Palestinians. Furthermore, the most recent pre-emptive attack by Israeli forces in 2022 to counter the threat posed by PIJ killed nearly 44 Palestinians. The intentions of Israel’s coalition government, which took office in 2020, are currently the foremost matter of concern in terms of conflict. For the first time, the Arab party was included in the coalition government.
Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennet, who is now succeeded by Yair Lapid, expressed reservations about further peace talks between Israel and Palestine. During his reign, Bennet showed no interest in continuing the peace process between Israel and Palestine. He also appears to be completely disinterested in a two-state solution, refugee issues, or the continuation of the Oslo accords. He stated in an interview with Israel Hayum that there will be no Oslo process under his leadership. Although the government aimed to improve Palestinians’ living standards, this so-called objective is highly contradicted by the government’s pragmatic policies, which authorizes for the demolition of basic Palestinian needs and also favor the expansion of settlement in East Jerusalem (the EI settlement plan by Israel can be used as an example), a practice that UNSC Resolution 2334 projected as “a flagrant violation under international law… [that must] be immunized.”
Support for settlements causes a schism within the coalition government when Arab coalition MPs refuse to recertify laws that support Jewish settlements in Palestinian inhabited areas, resulting in conflict and the dissolution of the government by Bennett. This recent experience has taught Israeli authorities two lessons: ‘No government can afford to undermine the Israel-Palestine conflict, and Israel’s occupation of Palestine cannot be jeopardized by Arabs or any Arab party’. In light of this lesson learned by the coalition government, Yair Lapid clearly supported the two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict in his recent speech to the United Nations, calling it valuable for Israel’s security, economy, and regional stability. As a result, there has been a shift toward a more revisionist approach and undermining of Israel’s status quo approach in recent years. However, in the opinion of Palestinians, Lipid’s statements are insufficient, and conflict necessitates action rather than words or statements, as the Palestinian President conveys in response to Israel’s statement that Israel is constantly advocating occupations and enforcing policies that can ensure the region’s status quo.
The international community, particularly the United States, Middle Eastern states, and human rights organizations, must play a role in Israel and Palestine. As an ally of Israel, the United States has always played a role in shaping conflict dimensions. After taking office, Joe Biden’s administration took steps to undermine the Trump administration’s efforts to isolate Palestine. However, the Biden administration did not take measures that could clearly support Palestine, resulting in a more isolationist approach to the conflict. Human rights organizations such as Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and FIDH that have been working for the well-being of Palestinians are acting as a pressure group against Israel by continuously publishing reports on human rights violations, the presence of Israel’s apartheid against Palestine, and the detrimental consequences of Israeli occupation in Sheikh Jarrah, east Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza. Thus, projecting a negative image of Israel may have implications on Israel’s efforts to improve relations with different Arab states.
Although the future is unclear in conflicts fueled by political and religious issues, some uncertainties and questions persist and the Israel-Palestine conflict is one of them. The election in Israel on November 1st, coupled with Biden’s visit, would address and deliver on many concerns about the conflict in the near future. Questions such as the future of Palestinian refugee settlement, the viability and feasibility of a two-state solution, and, last but not least, the role of the Biden administration in the dispute remain unanswered. Above all, the inhumane behavior of Israel, as well as the suppression of basic human rights, require a more realistic and practical approach, as well as the full attention of the international community, particularly the International Court of Justice, which appears to be nonexistent in the whole context of the conflict.
The writer is currently studying at Fatima Jinnah Women University. She tweets at @alizapervaiz12
