The Israel-Palestine Conflict: Prospects for a Two-State Solution

Anmol Yadav, Nandini Singh & Divyasri S

1.Introduction

By Anmol Yadav

The Israel-Palestine conflict has been on-going for more than 100 years between Jews and Arabs over a piece of land between Jordan river and the Mediterranean Sea. Between 1882 to 1948 via the Aliyah’s movement, Jews from around the world gathered in Palestine. After World War 1, the Ottoman Empire fell, and the UK got control over Palestine which was inhabited by a Jewish minority and Arab majority. The Balfour Declaration was issued after Britain gained control with the aim of establishing a home for the Jews in Palestine. However, during that period, the Arabs were in majority in Palestine. Jews favored the idea while the Palestinians rejected it. Almost 6 million Jews lost their lives in the Holocaust which also ignited further demand of a separate Jewish state. Jews claimed Palestine to be their natural home while the Arabs too did not leave the land and claimed it with the international community supporting the Jews. In 1947, the UN voted for Palestine to be split into separate Jewish and Arab states, with Jerusalem becoming an international city. That plan was accepted by Jewish leaders but rejected by the Arab side and never implemented.

2. Historical Background of the Conflict

By Anmol Yadav

In 1948 Britain lifted its control over the area and Jews declared the creation of Israel. Although Palestinians objected, Jews did not back out which led to an armed conflict. The neighbouring Arabs also invaded and were thrashed by the Israeli troops. This made thousands of Palestinians flee their homes. This was called Al-Nakba, or the “Catastrophe”. Israel had gained maximum control over the territory after this came to an end. Jordan then went on a war with Israel and seized control over a part of the land which was called the West Bank, and Egypt occupied Gaza.

Jerusalem was divided between Israel in the West, and Jordan in the East. However, no formal peace agreement was signed, each side continued to blame each other for the tension and the region saw more wars. Israeli forces captured East Jerusalem and the West Bank, various areas of Syrian Golan Heights, Gaza and the Egyptian Sinai Peninsula in the year 1967.Israel still occupies the West Bank, and although it pulled out of Gaza the UN still regards that piece of land as part of occupied territory. Israel claims the whole of Jerusalem as its capital, while the Palestinians claim East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state. The US is one of only a handful of countries to recognize Israel’s claim to the whole of the city.

3. TWO STATES SOLUTION

The “two-state solution” refers to a proposed resolution to the Israeli Palestinian conflict that envisions the establishment of two separate and independent states, one for Israelis (Israel) and the other for Palestinians (Palestine), living side by side in peace and security. Hamas forcibly took control over the Gaza Strip in 2007. Shortly thereafter, the Israelis imposed a complete closure on Gaza’s borders. They declared Gaza to be an enemy entity. Of course, Gaza is not a state. Hamas, of course, is viewed by Israel and by much of the international community as a terrorist organization, including the United States, for their history of attacks on civilians and so forth. On June 24, the UN Secretary General António Guterres told a virtual meeting of the United Nations Security Council that the Israeli Palestinian conflict is at a “watershed moment”. The Israeli plans to annex parts of the West Bank have alarmed the Palestinians, many Israelis and the international community. Such annexation would be “a most serious violation of international law”.

Under international law, annexation is forcible acquisition of territory by one state at the expense of another state. Such an act even if sanctified by Israeli law is illegal under international law and would violate the universally acknowledged principle of the “inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by force”.

4. Political and Diplomatic Efforts

There have been various peace Efforts like the 1978: Camp David Accords – Israel-Egypt peace treaty, 1987-1993: First Intifada – Palestinian uprising in the occupied territories and Oslo Accords – Peace negotiations between Israel and the PLO, leading to limited Palestinian self-rule.2000s saw Second Intifada of Palestinian uprising with significant violence and Israel withdrawing from the Gaza Strip but maintaining control of its borders. Hamas won Palestinian legislative elections in 2006 and took control of the Gaza Strip in a violent conflict with Fatah.2008 to 2014 saw many war uprisings continuing to the dates.

5.Major Obstacles to a Two-State Solution

By Nandini Singh

5.1. Territorial disputes

The first proposal for separate Jewish and Arab states in the territory was made by the British Peel Commission report in 1937. In 1947, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a partition plan for Palestine, leading to the1948 Palestine war. As a result, Israel was established on the area the UN had proposed for the Jewish state, as well as almost 60% of the area proposed for the Arab state. Israel took control of West Jerusalem, which was meant to be part of an international zone. Jordan took control of East Jerusalem and what became known as the West Bank, annexing it the following year. The territory which became the Gaza Strip was occupied by Egypt but never annexed. Since the 1967 Six-day War, both the West Bank (including East Jerusalem) and Gaza Strip have been militarily occupied by Israel, becoming known as the Palestinian territories.

5.2. Security Concerns

During the time of Oslo in the 1990s, a vast majority of Palestinians in both the West Bank and the Gaza Strip clearly accepted Yasser Arafat and the PLO as their legitimate representatives. With Arafat’s death, the failure of the peace process until now, and the rise of Hamas, these problems have worsened. Hamas, despite and perhaps because of its role in perpetrating much of the violence on the Palestinian side, has greatly increased in power and influence since the 1990s. It now controls the entire Gaza Strip, maintains a majority in the currently side-lined Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), commands a well-organized and well-armed fighting force—despite the losses it suffered during the Gaza conflict—that is supported by Iran, runs several patronage networks, and has loyalists within certain parts of the West Bank and among the Palestinian diasporas.

Reference- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two-state_solution

https://sgp.fas.org/crs/mideast/R40092.pdf )

6. Socio-Economic and Humanitarian Challenges

By Nandini Singh

The Israel-Hamas War that began on October 7, 2023, is still continuing with no end in sight. Over 150 Israelis remain hostages as of December 2023 while Israel intensifies its military offensive in southern Gaza. Civilian casualties continue to mount, with reports citing more than 17,700 dead, mostly women and children, as of December 10.

The armed conflict is a humanitarian tragedy, and the international community must urgently press for a two-state solution, presenting to both Palestine and Israel a roadmap to a peaceful and secure coexistence.

Warning that the risks of broader regional escalation are now becoming a reality, ANTÓNIO GUTERRES, Secretary-General of the United Nations, cited daily exchanges of fire across the Blue Line; Houthi attacks on global trade in the Red Sea, followed by airstrikes by the United States and the United Kingdom on Houthi positions in Yemen; and recent flare ups in Iran and Syria. Urging all parties to step back from the brink and consider the horrendous human cost of a regional conflict, he underscored that — beyond the need for immediate de-escalation — each situation demands the implementation of a clear political road map towards long-term regional stability.

Reference- https://www.spf.org/iina/en/articles/miyahara_06.html

https://press.un.org/en/2024/sc15569.doc.html

7. Public Opinion

Support for a two-state solution varies according to the way the question is phrased. Some Israeli journalists suggest that the Palestinians are unprepared to accept a Jewish State on any terms.

In December 2022, support for a two-state solution was 33% among Palestinians, 34% among Israeli Jews, and 60% among Israeli Arabs. 82% of Israeli Jews and 75% of Palestinians believed that the other side would never accept the existence of their independent state.

At the end of October 2023, the two-state solution had the support of 71.9% of Israeli Arabs and 28.6% of Israeli Jews. Prior to the October 7 attack, according to Gallup, just 24% of Palestinians supported a two-state solution, a drop from 59% in 2012.

Reference- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two-state_solution )

8. Alternative Solutions and Unilateral Actions

By Divyasri SN

The Israeli Palestinian conflict has primarily been addressed in terms of a two-state solution. However, alternative frameworks have gained popularity as a result of persistent disputes and unsuccessful discussions.

8.1 One-State Solution: Feasibility and Challenges.

The one-state solution envisions a single democratic state with equal rights for both Israelis and Palestinians. Proponents claim that this paradigm addresses geographical problems while ensuring full citizenship for all. However, critics raise questions about national identity, political representation, and the viability of coexistence in the face of historical tensions (Karmi, 2020).

8.2 Autonomy Models and Federations as Alternatives

Autonomy models propose independent government inside a unified state, with localized decision-making. Federation models propose a central government with regional autonomy. Such structures require legal safeguards and mutual confidence, which are still considerable impediments.

9. International Law and Human Rights Perspective

By Divyasri SN

International law plays an important part in conflict resolution. Various treaties, UN resolutions, and tribunals seek to regulate behavior and foster peace. The UN Security Council has consistently urged for a peaceful resolution based on established international values (UN General Assembly, 2017).

9.1 Human Rights Concerns and Accountability

Both Israelis and Palestinians have accused each other of violating human rights, such as limiting travel, seizing property, and attacking civilians. The International Criminal Court (ICC) examines war crimes, but implementation remains difficult due to geopolitical difficulties (B’Tselem, 2021).

10.Policy Recommendations for a Sustainable Peace

By Divyasri SN

Confidence-building measures include educational exchanges, media partnership, and grassroots peace forums to promote understanding. It is vital to stop unilateral acts like settlement expansion and retaliatory attacks (Bar-Tal, 2018).

Economic and political strategies to promote peace.

Economic interdependence can serve as a bridge to peace. Trade agreements, investments in common resources, and equal economic opportunity can all help to improve relations. Political strategies should prioritize diplomatic discussions, external mediation, and democratic governance (Hirschfeld, 2020).

11.Conclusion

The Israeli Palestinian conflict needs answers that go beyond the standard two-state model. The viability of one-state, autonomy, and federation models is contingent on political will and public collaboration. International law establishes legal channels for justice, but enforcement remains limited. Sustainable peace is dependent on mutual trust, confidence-building measures, and inclusive economic policies. Moving forward, the involvement of global institutions, regional players, and civil society is critical to building a peaceful future. While challenges still exist, long-term collaboration and conversation can pave the road for realistic resolution.

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