On March 13th, the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Research Institute (ADC-RI) released an Issue Paper titled "The Aftermath Of The War On Gaza And Israeli Elections: Problems And Prospects Facing Palestinian/Israeli Peace". The paper discusses the recent War On Gaza, its effect on the political situation, the continuing expansion of the Israeli settlements throughout the peace process, and the problems leadership on both sides pose to a viable peace process. ADC Policy Analyst Yousef Munayyer, author of this paper, intended to use this brief as an educational tool and resource to provide an understanding of the intracacies of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, as well as an avenue to discuss the ADC's recommendations for moving the peace process forward.
The ADC-RI, founded in 1981, is an educational organization that sponsors a range of programs on behalf of Arab Americans and of importance to all Americans. They provide research studies, seminars, conferences, and publications that document and analyze the discrimination faced by Arab Americans in the workplace, schools, media, government agencies and institutions. Below the fold is a summary of the paper, which can be found here.
Introduction: An Urgent Concern
The War On Gaza was a clear indication that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict would be an important issue that President Obama would have to confront upon taking office. The 22-day war brought the problem of the conflict to the forefront of foreign policy discourse and tested America's complex relations with the Arab and Muslim world. The Palestinian issue is a major focal point through which most Arabs and Muslims view the United States. After eight years of failed policies, the Arab and Muslim peoples are eager for a change in American leadership, which they hope will address this conflict in a quick and evenhanded manner.
Backround: The 22-Day War On Gaza: Three Years In The Making
The Election Of Hamas
The free and fair election of Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas ,in 2005, was hailed by the Bush Administration as part of the democratization of Palestinian governing institutions. When the Palestinian Legislative Council elections were held in January 2006, the Change and Reform Party list, which was dominated by members of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), won enough seats to form a new government.
Escalating Sanctions And Siege
The Change and Reform Party failed in its attempt to form a national unity government and decided to govern alone. The international community challenged this government, called on them to support the principles of the Quartet, froze aid packages, and prevented the access of tax monies from Palestinian citizens that were held by the government of Israel. The tensions between the Hamas-controlled PA and the Israeli government led to the capture of an Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit, in June 2006. The ensuing Israeli military response, Operation Summer Rain, targeted civilian infrastucture in Gaza, including bridges and Gaza's only power plant.
The continued sanctions of the PA and the relationship between President Abbas and representatives of Israel and the U.S., increased the problems betweeen Hamas and Fatah In the summer of 2007, these tensions escalated to the point where there were violent battles between members of both groups in Gaza. By the end of this struggle, Hamas contolled most, if not all, of the Gaza Strip. Afterwards, sanctions increased and conditions in Gaza worsened, with record numbers of unemployed and malnourished people.
The June 19th Agreement
International outrage grew over the escalating siege and humanitarian crisis in Gaza, as well as the increased rocket attacks into Israel by Hamas and other militant groups. In order to move the situation forward, Egypt brokered an agreement between Hamas and Israel on June 19th, 2008. While no formal document was created, public statements from all sides indicated that the terms included an end to cross-border attacks, and a lifting on the Gaza blockade. There were disagreements, however, since Hamas wanted the deal to include the West Bank and Israel felt the agreement should lead to negotiations for the release of Gilad Shalit.
While not completely eliminated, there were limited rocket attacks into Israel after June 19th. On November 5th, Israel carried out its largest extrajudicial killing in Gaza since the start of the agreement, killing 7 Hamas members. This attack provoked a escalating rocket-fire response from Hamas, which resulted in a tightening of the siege by the Israeli government.
War On Gaza
Israel launched an air attack in Gaza on December 27th and followed with a ground invasion one week later. The Israeli government never declared clear objectives for this operation, Cast Lead. Some Israeli officals called for the toppling of Hamas, and others stated that the goal was to stop rocket attacks. By the last day of the battle, Hamas was still able to lauch rockets and only a negotiated cease-fire agreement reinstated cross-border calm. The War left over 1,300 Palestinians and 13 Israelis dead with thousands more injured. Presently, Gaza is still suffering a major humanitaritanian crisis and Hamas still retains the ability to launch rockets at Israel. In the end, it is unclear what the War actually changed.
West Bank Situation
Economic Stagnation And Settlement Expansion
The West Bank would comprise the majority of a Palestinian State in a two-state solution. Because of this, the territorial integrity of the West Bank is critical to the viability of a Palestinian State. The biggest challenges to this have come in the form of settlement and security infrastructure built by the Israeli government on Palestinian territory. This continued expansion seriously effects the viability of the two-state solution.
Matrix Of Control
A recent World Bank report on the Palestinian territories notes an economic decline in the wake of increased dependence on foreign aid. The Israeli security infrastructutre, including a large wall, checkpoints, roadblocks, segregated roads, and security perimeters around settlements prevent movement and economic growth.
Settlement Construction
After the occupation of the West Bank and Gaza in 1967, Israeli settlements began to be built on internationally recongnized Palestinian territory. The largest expansion was during the 1970s and early 1980s. Recently, increased constuction started after the initiation of the Madrid-Oslo Peace process and the Quartet's Road Map.
Recent Setttlement Expansion Under Olmert
While construction of new settlements slowed under Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, the expansion of existing settlements and outposts continued. Expansion of these settlements bisect the West Bank and enclose Arab East Jerusalem, villages, and cities; complicate disentanglement necessary to achieve the two-state solution; and cut off areas, like Bethlehem, from the economic center of Jerusalem.
Palestinian And Israeli Leadership Challenges
Palestinian Crisis Of Legitimacy
President Bush's policies can be divided into two periods. The first involved the marginalization of Yasser Arafat and the push for democratization of Palestinian governing institutions. The second period, which began with the election of Hamas in 2006, involved the U.S. distancing itself from the democratically elected Palestinian Authority and encouraged divisions among the Palestinians. The continued marginalization of Hamas, suffocation of the people of Gaza, support for Fatah, and attempted economic revitalization in the West Bank served to increase the perception among Palestinians that the U.S. and Israel desire a more divided Palestinian nation.
Israeli Electorate Shifts Right
After the recent Israeli elections, the Kadima party won one more seat than Likud, but was not in a position to build a big enough coalition to hold a majority of seats in the Knesset. This left Likud in control of the Premiership and government formation. When Kadima was formed in 2005, many Likud members joined the new party. As a result, Likud was weakened in the 2006 elections. Since then, the Israeli right has rebounded and is stronger today then any point in recent history.
Opposing Quartet Principles
Likud has stated policies which run contrary to the Quartet Principles. The Quartet accepts a two-state framework, which calls for the establishment of a Palestinian State living side-by-side with Israel. Also, the Quartet has called for a halt to settlement expansion and indicated support for a shared Jerusalem. However, items in the Likud charter state their opposition to the principles of the establishment of a Palestinian State, settlements, and the sharing of Jerusalem. The rise of right-wing parties, such as Likud and Yisrael Beiteinu, and the simultaneous decline of the left-wing parties, indicate that more hawkish foreign policies may develop in the Israeli government.
Steps Forward: Policy Recommendations
Addressing The Humanitarian Catastrophe
Israel and Egypt should be called upon to open their crossings with Gaza to legitimate humanitarian supplies and reconstruction aid. The aid should not be politicized as it may undermine potential reconciliation between the two Palestinian factions.
Answering The Hamas Question
The United States should encourage Palestinian Unity and support Egypt's present mediation. Once a democratic, respresentative, and unified Palestinian partner that includes all parties is in place, the U.S. should engage diplomatically and hold this government accountable for upholding their end of agreements. The United States should communicate to all states in the region that a unified Palestinian partner is a priority central to successful peace negotiations. All states in the region should be working towards Palestinian Unity and not Palestinian Division.
Holding Israel Accountable
Even if the above steps are realized, bringing Hamas into the political process will not be possible without holding Israel accountable for upholding their end of agreements. This means that the reconciliation process among Palestinians must happen simultaneously with holding Israel accountable. The U.S. should demand an immediate freeze on settlement construction and expansion from the new Israeli Government. Defiance of this must be met with swift sanctions and the end of any monetary or military assistance. The U.S. should demand that Israel abide by International Law in all campaigns and work to immediately end the unlawful occupation of the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Shabaa Farms, and the Syrian Golan Heights. In addition, the U.S. must carry out a review of its own laws in regard to Israeli violations of the Arms Export Control Act.
Gaza-Israel Border Situation
A negotiated cease-fire agreement in the Gaza-Israel border region must coincide and cooperate with the efforts to unify Palestinians and freeze settlement construction. It should be in line with the previous June 2008 agreement but install oversight mechanisms and inspection regimes ensuring and enforcing obligations by the party in Gaza and the Israeli government. Third party representatives can control Gaza's exit and entry points and close tunnels which exist under the borders.
Into The Future
With a unified Palestinian partner and Israeli Government acting in favor of a two-state solution, successful negotiations will be possible. The framework is largely agreed upon. The Arab Peace Initiative would result in peace between Israel and its Arab neighbors. The plan calls for a land for peace agreement based on U.N. Security Council Resolution 242 and a just solution to the refugee issue, as outlined in U.N. Security Council Resolution 194. An agreement achieved within this framework, and agreed to by representative Palestinian and Israeli Governments, provides the best possibility at ending a decades old regional conflict.
For those interested in engaging with the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, please consider the following items:
- Any constructive questions or comments regarding this paper can be sent to researchinstitute@adc.org. Also, the author of the paper can be reached at yousef@adc.org
- Sign-up for the ADC Governmental Affairs Action E-List here.
- Register for the ADC National Convention, June 12-14 in Washington, D.C.. Presently, the featured speakers are the Archbishop of Jerusalem Hilarion Capucci and Congressman Keith Ellison (D, MN-05)
Hat Tip: ADC