Civil Society Seeking a Two-State Majority

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Civil Society Seeking a Two-State Majority Developing an Israeli Developing an Israeli Grand Strategy toward a Peaceful Two-State Solution Grand Strategy toward a Peaceful Two-State Solution An Israeli-Palestinian Confederation: A viable alternative for the “two states solution”? Table of Contents Introduction Werner Puschra ....................................................................................................................................................... 2 Introductory Note Yair Hirschfeld ............................................................................................................................................................ 3 This publication was made possible through the generous support of the Friedrich-Ebert- Creating the Enabling Conditions for Reaching an Israel- Stiftung, Israel. We thank Palestine Two-State Solution the FES for its continued Yair Hirschfeld ............................................................................................................................................................ 6 cooperation, and would like to express our greatest appreciation to Ms. Judith Factors that Help / Enable Progress towards a Two-State Stelmach, the responsible Solution – The Security Area project manager at FES Israel, for her involvement, Ron Shatzberg ........................................................................................................................................................... 22 her total commitment, and her assistance throughout the project. We thank the Economic Enabling Conditions towards Sustainable researchers for their efforts. Palestinian State-Building Anat Kaufmann and Baruch Spiegel ....................................................................................... 30 The opinions expresssed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the What can Israel’s Arab-Palestinian Citizens Contribute to the Friedrich-Ebert- Stiftung and/or Middle East? of Netanya Academic College. Kamal Ali-Hassan ................................................................................................................................................. 40 The comercial use of the publications of Friedrich- Ebert-Stiftung or of Netanya Spoilers on the Way to a Two-State Solution Academic College without Yossi Hen ........................................................................................................................................................................... 58 written approval is strictly prohibited. Heshbon Nefesh: Civil Society Seeking a Two-State Majority Ned Lazarus ................................................................................................................................................................. 82 October, 2016 © All rights reserved The National-Religious Public and the Prospects of Peace with ISBN Number: the Palestinians – Between Scuttling and Leading 978-965-92408-5-2 Roie Ravitzky ............................................................................................................................................................... 98 Scientific Editing: Dr. Yair Hirschfeld About the Authors ............................................................................................................................................105 Translation: Ruchie Avital, Mor Ilan Copy Editing: Judith Stelmach, Esti Ofer Photography: Signelements, Istockphoto 1 Developing an Israeli Grand Strategy toward a Peaceful Two-State Solution Introduction Werner Puschra For quite a few years now, more and more skepticism is voiced - How can the security needs of Israelis and Palestinians about the prospects for a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian be met? conflict. The parameters of the Oslo-Process are questioned - Which economic conditions and policies need to be put and the public and political support for a two-state-solution in place to improve the welfare and living standards of the is fading out. Lack of progress of the diplomatic process is Palestinian people? one factor contributing to the widespread pessimism about The contributors to the publication also focus on the actors a solution, as are changing political circumstances in Israel, decisive for progress in the different policy areas. the region and in Europe and the US. - What role can the Palestinian citizens of Israel play to Public support in Israel for a two-state solution is decreasing. promote a peaceful solution? According to a recent poll conducted by Smith Research in July 2016, less than 50% of the Jewish Israeli public - How can civil society become an even more pro-active still supports a two-state solution. Voters of Shas, Habayit player to support a two-state-solution? Hayehudi, United Torah Judaism, Likud and Yisrael Beitenu - What is the role of the religious communities on both sides overwhelmingly oppose the concept. Among men there is to prepare the ground for a peaceful cooperation? less support than among women, and the opposition to a - In which way can the international community support the two-state solution is especially strong among voters under process and open up avenues for the reconciliation between 30 years of age. Israelis and Palestinians? Alarm over the possible demise of the two-state-solution The publication does not aim to provide a concrete has also been expressed by political leaders in the US and prescription for getting the peace process back on track. Europe on various occasions. A possible alternative, the It rather lays out a comprehensive strategic approach for one-state-solution meets with even more opposition and is those, who still believe in a peaceful solution, as well as for regarded to be a non-starter. those, who need to be convinced of it. Given this gloomy outlook the objective of this project and I would very much like to thank the team of the Daniel S. publication is to define the main elements which would need Abraham Center for Strategic Dialogue under the leadership to be in place in order to move forward with the diplomatic of Dr. Yair Hirschfeld for their excellent work on this project process with a view towards a peaceful solution to the old and the fruitful and productive dialogue between us. conflict. The authors are convinced that a peaceful solution Special thanks go to my colleague Judith Stelmach, who is still possible and that there is no reason to fall into despair. contributed to the project and the publication with her heart They are laying out their perspectives on the challenges and soul. My gratitude also goes to Elie Friedman, Esti Ofer, ahead covering the following policy areas and describing and Gilad Segal who were her counterparts at the Center. the enabling factors leading towards a two-state-solution: Together they were a great team, without which the project - What are the causes of the failures of the diplomatic process? and the publication would not have been possible. Dr. Werner Puschra, Director FES Israel 2 Introductory Note Yair Hirschfeld Approximately, a year ago Dr. Werner Puschra and Judith Though the PA security forces still face many challenges, Stelmach of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung suggested preparing they did gain reasonable trust of the Palestinian public. The a volume which describes what Israel would need in order joint security interests shared by the PA and Israel thus allow to move forward towards a peaceful Israel-Palestine two the sides to maintain delicate relations in a very sensitive state- solution. Attempting to review all relevant aspects, environment. seven different essays were commissioned covering the He argues that extension of the PA police force authority to political, security, economic and religious challenges, as villages in area B that don’t have regular police services, can well as the perspective of Israel’s Palestinian Arab minority, assist in restoring law and order and good governance, thus and the challenge for civil society work. strengthening the PA and its state institutions. Schatzberg Yair Hirschfeld provides a short historical review of the describes a plan on how to extend Palestinian Police services development of the Israel-Palestine two-state concept. He to a population of more than 700,000, who presently do not analyzes the causes of past failures, describes achievements have access to effective policing. Implementation would made and indicates suggested policies to move forward. offer essential advantages to all sides and be a step in the He argues that no “ready-made” solution can replace a process of establishing the security and legal infrastructure phased process of peace making and attributes the five of the emerging State of Palestine. Providing law and order times repeated failure to reach an “end of conflict” agreement to all citizens creates the necessary stable environment to unrealistic political aspirations. Instead of asking the for economic development and social welfare. A related question “how can all outstanding core issues i.e. Jerusalem, upgrade of the Israeli-Palestinian security cooperation would refugees, borders, settlement and security be solved, he create the necessary trust and legitimacy for a continuing suggests to ask the question of “How can a successful, negotiating process. prosperous and contiguous State of Palestine, living in good Baruch Spiegel and Anat Kaufmann address the issue neighborly relations besides Israel and its other neighbors, of economic enabling conditions towards sustainable develop?” Instead of leading negotiations based on the Palestinian state-building.
Recommended publications
  • IDC Herzliya's President and Founder, the Israeli Marketing Association Expresses Its Appreciation for His Initiative and Leadership As the Prof
    Herzliyan The IDC WINTER 2017 Leading Innovation IDC Herzliya Inaugurates the Dr. Miriam and Sheldon G. Adelson School of Entrepreneurship Contact IDC Herzliya: Israel Friends of IDC Tel: +972-9-952-7212 • [email protected] International Friends of IDC Tel: +972-9-952-7321 • [email protected] American Friends of IDC Tel: +1-212-213-5962 • [email protected] UK & Francophone Europe Friends of IDC Tel: +44 (0)778 384 6852 • [email protected] IDC Alumni Association Tel: +972-9-960-2756 • [email protected] Raphael Recanati International School Tel: +972-9-960-2806 • [email protected] THE RAPHAEL RECANATI INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL THANKS ALEXANDER MUSS HIGH SCHOOL IN ISRAEL THE ISRAELI AMERICAN COUNCIL (IAC) GARIN TZABAR HESEG HILLEL ISRAEL AT HEART ISRAEL MINISTRY OF EDUCATION ISRAEL MINISTRY OF IMMIGRANT ABSORPTION THE JEWISH AGENCY FOR ISRAEL & WZO THE JEWISH FEDERATIONS MASA NEFESH B’NEFESH OLIM ORGANIZATIONS STAND WITH US STUDENT AUTHORITY TAGLIT BIRTHRIGHT THE ZIONIST YOUTH MOVEMENTS BA Business Administration | Business & Economics (double major) | Communications | Government for helping us bring 1,800 students Government & Sustainability (double major) | Psychology from 86 countries to study for full academic degrees taught in English. BSc Computer Science MA Counter-Terrorism & Homeland Security Studies Diplomacy & Conflict Studies | Financial Economics (MAFE) Organizational Behavior & Development (OBD) Social Psychology GLOBAL MBA Innovation & Entrepreneurship Strategy & Business Development MBA One-Year Program LIVE IN ISRAEL Study in English ISRAEL +972 9 960 2841 [email protected] www.rris.idc.ac.il NORTH AMERICA +1 866 999 RRIS [email protected] UK & FRANCOPHONE EUROPE +44 (0) 778 384 6852 [email protected] IDC HERZLIYAN WINTER 2017 Inside Prof.
    [Show full text]
  • Aggressive Behaviors Within Politics, 1948-1962: a Cross-National Study," Journal of Conflict Resolution 10, No.3 (September 1966): 249-270
    NOTES 1 INTRODUCTION: CONTENDING VIEWS-MILITARISM, MILITARIZATION AND WAR 1. Ivo Feierabend and Rosalind Feierabend, "Aggressive Behaviors within Politics, 1948-1962: A Cross-National Study," Journal of Conflict Resolution 10, no.3 (September 1966): 249-270. 2. Patrick Morgan, "Disarmament," in Joel Krieger, ed., The Oxford Companion to the Politics of the World (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1993),246. 3. Stuart Bremer, "Dangerous Dyads: Conditions Mfecting the Likelihood of Interstate War, 1816-1965," Journal of Conflict Resolution 36, no.2 (June 1992): 309-341,318,330; The remainder of Bremer's study has to do with the impact of military spending and not with variations caused by regime type. 4. Thomas Lindemann and Michel Louis Martin, "The Military and the Use of Force," in Giuseppe Caforio, ed., Handbook of the Sociology of the Military (New York: Kluwer, 2003),99-109,104-109. 5. Alfred Vagts, Defense and Diplomacy-The Soldier and the Conduct of Foreign Relations (New York: King Crown's Press, 1958), 3. The concept was subsequently applied by Herbert Spencer, Otto Hintze, and Karl Marx. See Volker Berghahn, Militarism: The History of an International Debate, 1861-1979 (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1984). 6. Herbert Spencer, Principles of Sociology, Stanislav Andreski, ed. (London: Macmillan, 1969): 499-571. 7. Felix Gilbert, ed., The Historical Essays of Otto Hintze (New York: Oxford University Press, 1975), 199. 8. Karl Liebknecht, Militarism (Toronto: William Briggs, 1917); Berghahn, 18,23,25. 9. James Donovan, Militarism U.S.A. (New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1970),25. 10. Berghahn, 19. 11. Dan Reiter and Allan Starn, "IdentifYing the Culprit: Democracy, Dictatorship, and Dispute Initiation," American Political Science Review 97, no.2 (May 2003): 333-337; see also R.
    [Show full text]
  • Israel's National Religious and the Israeli- Palestinian Conflict
    Leap of Faith: Israel’s National Religious and the Israeli- Palestinian Conflict Middle East Report N°147 | 21 November 2013 International Crisis Group Headquarters Avenue Louise 149 1050 Brussels, Belgium Tel: +32 2 502 90 38 Fax: +32 2 502 50 38 [email protected] Table of Contents Executive Summary ................................................................................................................... i Recommendations..................................................................................................................... iv I. Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 1 II. Religious Zionism: From Ascendance to Fragmentation ................................................ 5 A. 1973: A Turning Point ................................................................................................ 5 B. 1980s and 1990s: Polarisation ................................................................................... 7 C. The Gaza Disengagement and its Aftermath ............................................................. 11 III. Settling the Land .............................................................................................................. 14 A. Bargaining with the State: The Kookists ................................................................... 15 B. Defying the State: The Hilltop Youth ........................................................................ 17 IV. From the Hills to the State ..............................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Israel: Background and U.S
    Israel: Background and U.S. Relations in Brief Updated September 20, 2019 Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov R44245 SUMMARY R44245 Israel: Background and U.S. Relations in Brief September 20, 2019 The following matters are of particular significance to U.S.-Israel relations: Jim Zanotti Israel’s ability to address threats. Israel relies on a number of strengths—including Specialist in Middle regional conventional military superiority—to manage potential threats to its security, Eastern Affairs including evolving asymmetric threats such as rockets and missiles, cross-border tunneling, drones, and cyberattacks. Additionally, Israel has an undeclared but presumed nuclear weapons capability. Against a backdrop of strong bilateral cooperation, Israel’s leaders and supporters routinely make the case that Israel’s security and the broader stability of the region remain critically important for U.S. interests. A 10-year bilateral military aid memorandum of understanding (MOU)— signed in 2016—commits the United States to provide Israel $3.3 billion in Foreign Military Financing annually from FY2019 to FY2028, along with additional amounts from Defense Department accounts for missile defense. All of these amounts remain subject to congressional appropriations. Some Members of Congress criticize various Israeli actions and U.S. policies regarding Israel. In recent months, U.S. officials have expressed some security- related concerns about China-Israel commercial activity. Iran and the region. Israeli officials seek to counter Iranian regional influence and prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. In April 2018, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu presented historical information about Iran’s nuclear program that Israeli intelligence apparently seized from an Iranian archive.
    [Show full text]
  • 2016 Annual Report
    Research. Debate. Impact. 2016 ANNUAL REPORT 1 Table of Contents Message from the President and the Chairman of the Board 4 Sixth Meeting of IDI's International Advisory Council 8 The Center for Democratic Values and Institutions 11 The Center for Religion, Nation and State 23 The Center for Governance and the Economy 29 The Center for Security and Democracy 35 The Guttman Center for Surveys and Public Policy Research 41 IDI in the Media 47 Our Team 50 Our Leaders 51 Our Partners 52 Financials 53 Message from the President and the Chairman of the Board Dear Friends, 2016 was a year of change and upheaval throughout the jobs available to Haredim. The government adopted most of democratic world. Set against the tumult of Brexit and the the recommendations and is now in the process of allocating US elections, Israel seemed at times like an island of stability. a half-billion-shekel budget in line with these proposals. This However, under the surface, Israeli society is changing, and IDI success story illustrates the potential of turning relatively small took on a leading role in identifying those changes and working philanthropic investments into large-scale transformational with policymakers to address them. change by affecting policy and legislation on the basis of outstanding applied research. As the report that follows lays out, 2016 was a year rich in activity and achievements. In this letter, we have chosen to single Several new scholars joined our team in 2016. Ms. Daphna out the impact one program had on government policy in the Aviram-Nitzan, former director of research for the Israel employment area.
    [Show full text]
  • Migration of Eretz Yisrael Arabs Between December 1, 1947 and June 1, 1948
    [Intelligence Service (Arab Section)] June 30, 1948 Migration of Eretz Yisrael Arabs between December 1, 1947 and June 1, 1948 Contents 1. General introduction. 2. Basic figures on Arab migration 3. National phases of evacuation and migration 4. Causes of Arab migration 5. Arab migration trajectories and absorption issues Annexes 1. Regional reviews analyzing migration issues in each area [Missing from document] 2. Charts of villages evacuated by area, noting the causes for migration and migration trajectories for every village General introduction The purpose of this overview is to attempt to evaluate the intensity of the migration and its various development phases, elucidate the different factors that impacted population movement directly and assess the main migration trajectories. Of course, given the nature of statistical figures in Eretz Yisrael in general, which are, in themselves, deficient, it would be difficult to determine with certainty absolute numbers regarding the migration movement, but it appears that the figures provided herein, even if not certain, are close to the truth. Hence, a margin of error of ten to fifteen percent needs to be taken into account. The figures on the population in the area that lies outside the State of Israel are less accurate, and the margin of error is greater. This review summarizes the situation up until June 1st, 1948 (only in one case – the evacuation of Jenin, does it include a later occurrence). Basic figures on Arab population movement in Eretz Yisrael a. At the time of the UN declaration [resolution] regarding the division of Eretz Yisrael, the following figures applied within the borders of the Hebrew state: 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Towards Decolonial Futures: New Media, Digital Infrastructures, and Imagined Geographies of Palestine
    Towards Decolonial Futures: New Media, Digital Infrastructures, and Imagined Geographies of Palestine by Meryem Kamil A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (American Culture) in The University of Michigan 2019 Doctoral Committee: Associate Professor Evelyn Alsultany, Co-Chair Professor Lisa Nakamura, Co-Chair Assistant Professor Anna Watkins Fisher Professor Nadine Naber, University of Illinois, Chicago Meryem Kamil [email protected] ORCID iD: 0000-0003-2355-2839 © Meryem Kamil 2019 Acknowledgements This dissertation could not have been completed without the support and guidance of many, particularly my family and Kajol. The staff at the American Culture Department at the University of Michigan have also worked tirelessly to make sure I was funded, healthy, and happy, particularly Mary Freiman, Judith Gray, Marlene Moore, and Tammy Zill. My committee members Evelyn Alsultany, Anna Watkins Fisher, Nadine Naber, and Lisa Nakamura have provided the gentle but firm push to complete this project and succeed in academia while demonstrating a commitment to justice outside of the ivory tower. Various additional faculty have also provided kind words and care, including Charlotte Karem Albrecht, Irina Aristarkhova, Steph Berrey, William Calvo-Quiros, Amy Sara Carroll, Maria Cotera, Matthew Countryman, Manan Desai, Colin Gunckel, Silvia Lindtner, Richard Meisler, Victor Mendoza, Dahlia Petrus, and Matthew Stiffler. My cohort of Dominic Garzonio, Joseph Gaudet, Peggy Lee, Michael
    [Show full text]
  • Israel 8; World 0 GENEVA, Nov
    Editorials ..................................... 4A Op-Ed .......................................... 5A Calendar ...................................... 6A Scene Around ............................. 9A Synagogue Directory ................ 11A News Briefs ............................... 13A WWW.HERITAGEFL.COM YEAR 44, NO. 12 NOVEMBER 22, 2019 24 CHESHVAN, 5780 ORLANDO, FLORIDA SINGLE COPY 75¢ UN condemnation: Israel 8; world 0 GENEVA, Nov. 15, 2019—A against Israel by December, United Nations General As- the same European nations sembly committee today have failed to introduce a adopted eight resolutions that single UNGA resolution on single out or condemn Is- the human rights situation rael, and zero on the entire in China, Venezuela, Saudi rest of the world. Arabia, Belarus, Cuba, Turkey, The texts condemn Is- Pakistan, Vietnam, Algeria, rael for “repressive measures” or on 175 other countries,” against Syrian citizens in the said Neuer. Golan Heights, renew the Earlier this year, 155 Ger- mandate of the corrupt UN man MPs called on the Ger- Relief and Works Agency, and man government to “dissoci- renew the mandate of the UN’s ate from unilateral, primarily “special committee to inves- politically motivated initia- tigate Israeli practices affect- tives and alliances of anti- ing the human rights of the Israeli Member States, and Yonatan Sindel/Flash90 Palestinian people and other protect Israel and legitimate An Iron Dome air-defense system set up in Sderot in southern Israel near the border with Gaza on Nov. 13, 2019. Arabs of the Occupied Terri- Israeli interests from unilat- tories.” All 193 UN member eral condemnation” in the states belong to the Special UN. In 2017, Dutch parlia- Israel waits to see if Gaza Strip stabilizes Political and Decolonization ment resolved to “actively Committee, or Fourth Com- oppose UN organizations By Yaakov Lappin Strip.
    [Show full text]
  • Israel: Growing Pains at 60
    Viewpoints Special Edition Israel: Growing Pains at 60 The Middle East Institute Washington, DC Middle East Institute The mission of the Middle East Institute is to promote knowledge of the Middle East in Amer- ica and strengthen understanding of the United States by the people and governments of the region. For more than 60 years, MEI has dealt with the momentous events in the Middle East — from the birth of the state of Israel to the invasion of Iraq. Today, MEI is a foremost authority on contemporary Middle East issues. It pro- vides a vital forum for honest and open debate that attracts politicians, scholars, government officials, and policy experts from the US, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. MEI enjoys wide access to political and business leaders in countries throughout the region. Along with information exchanges, facilities for research, objective analysis, and thoughtful commentary, MEI’s programs and publications help counter simplistic notions about the Middle East and America. We are at the forefront of private sector public diplomacy. Viewpoints are another MEI service to audiences interested in learning more about the complexities of issues affecting the Middle East and US rela- tions with the region. To learn more about the Middle East Institute, visit our website at http://www.mideasti.org The maps on pages 96-103 are copyright The Foundation for Middle East Peace. Our thanks to the Foundation for graciously allowing the inclusion of the maps in this publication. Cover photo in the top row, middle is © Tom Spender/IRIN, as is the photo in the bottom row, extreme left.
    [Show full text]
  • Introduction
    INTRODUCTION RECOVERING A REPRESSED PAS T On February 12, 2013, Ruth Calderon was invited to the dais of the Israeli Knesset to deliver her firs t speech as a newly-elected member of parliament.1 The speech was unlike any given in the his tory of deliberations in Israel’s legislature in that it consis ted primarily of her reading and interpreting a Talmudic s tory. The Talmudic s tory that Calderon read before the Knesset, firs t in the original Aramaic and then in Hebrew translation, was, as is typical of these s tories, very brief: Rabbi Rahumi s tudied under Rava in Mehoza. He would regularly come home to his wife on the eve of Yom Kippur. One day [on the eve of Yom Kippur] the topic [he was s tudying] drew him in. His wife anticipated him, “He is coming. He is coming.” He did not come. She began to grieve. She shed a tear from her eye. He was sitting on a roof. The roof collapsed under him, and he died. (B. Ketubot 62b)2 The s tory reflects what appears to have been a common practice among rabbinic scholars in Babylonia: to absent themselves from home for long periods of time to s tudy Torah. The author of the s tory expresses his disapproval of this cus tom by portraying empathically the emotional s tress experienced by Rabbi Rahumi’s wife when he was so engaged in Torah s tudy that he forgot to return home for the sacred holiday. The excitement captured in her cry of anticipation, “He is coming.
    [Show full text]
  • A Future for Israeli-Palestinian Peacebuilding
    Britain Israel Communications and Research Centre A future for Israeli-Palestinian peacebuilding Ned Lazarus July 2017 The Israel-Palestine conflict is one of the most heavily researched in the world. Yet a shockingly small fraction of this research focuses on the millions of Israelis and Palestinians who share this land, their relations with one another, and how such relations could be improved so that a breakthrough might be possible. This report is both timely and necessary, and can hopefully provide a blueprint for greater international support of civil society efforts to foster conflict resolution. John Lyndon Executive Director of OneVoice Europe and Research Fellow at Kings College London BICOM, the Britain Israel Communications and Research Centre, is an independent British think tank producing research and analysis to increase understanding of Israel and the Middle East in the UK. Fathom: for a deeper understanding of Israel and the region is BICOM’s online research journal, publishing interviews, articles and reviews from a range of Israeli, Palestinian and international contributors. Front Cover Photo: EcoPeace’s Israeli, Jordanian and Palestinian directors and staff standing together in the Jordan River as part of their campaign to rehabilitate the river which is dwindling due to diversion of its source waters and pollution. Photograph used by permission of EcoPeace. The Author Ned Lazarus is Visiting Professor of International Affairs at the George Washington University’s Elliott School, and an Israel Institute Teaching Fellow. A conflict resolution scholar, practitioner and evaluator, Ned has conducted evaluative studies of Israeli-Palestinian peacebuilding initiatives on behalf of USAID, USIP and the European Union.
    [Show full text]
  • The Israeli Experience in Lebanon, 1982-1985
    THE ISRAELI EXPERIENCE IN LEBANON, 1982-1985 Major George C. Solley Marine Corps Command and Staff College Marine Corps Development and Education Command Quantico, Virginia 10 May 1987 ABSTRACT Author: Solley, George C., Major, USMC Title: Israel's Lebanon War, 1982-1985 Date: 16 February 1987 On 6 June 1982, the armed forces of Israel invaded Lebanon in a campaign which, although initially perceived as limited in purpose, scope, and duration, would become the longest and most controversial military action in Israel's history. Operation Peace for Galilee was launched to meet five national strategy goals: (1) eliminate the PLO threat to Israel's northern border; (2) destroy the PLO infrastructure in Lebanon; (3) remove Syrian military presence in the Bekaa Valley and reduce its influence in Lebanon; (4) create a stable Lebanese government; and (5) therefore strengthen Israel's position in the West Bank. This study examines Israel's experience in Lebanon from the growth of a significant PLO threat during the 1970's to the present, concentrating on the events from the initial Israeli invasion in June 1982 to the completion of the withdrawal in June 1985. In doing so, the study pays particular attention to three aspects of the war: military operations, strategic goals, and overall results. The examination of the Lebanon War lends itself to division into three parts. Part One recounts the background necessary for an understanding of the war's context -- the growth of PLO power in Lebanon, the internal power struggle in Lebanon during the long and continuing civil war, and Israeli involvement in Lebanon prior to 1982.
    [Show full text]