DOCSLIB.ORG

The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: an Ethnographic Study on Conflict Perception and Its Implications for Peace in the Middle East

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: an Ethnographic Study on Conflict Perception and Its Implications for Peace in the Middle East The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: An Ethnographic Study on Conflict Perception and Its Implications for Peace in the Middle East Source: America.aljazeera.com An Undergraduate Honors Thesis Presented to the Department of International Studies at the University of Oregon Colin M. McClellan Spring 2015 Advisor: Professor Reut Livne-Tarandach, Ph.D. Lundquist College of Business, Department of Management McClellan 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS ....................................................................................................... 3 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ......................................................................................................... 4 ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................................... 5 CHAPTER 1: Introduction .......................................................................................................... 6 What is the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict? ................................................................................ 6 Recognition of Potential Author Bias ...................................................................................... 6 CHAPTER 2: Study of First Hand Experience with the Conflict ............................................ 8 Unpacking the Rocket Fire: My Story with the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict ...................... 8 Reflections Post-Conflict Exposure ....................................................................................... 15 CHAPTER 3: Research Methods .............................................................................................. 19 Analytical Approach ............................................................................................................... 19 First, Second, and Third Person Action Inquiry Research ................................................. 20 Research Procedures .............................................................................................................. 23 Research Sample ..................................................................................................................... 25 CHAPTER 4: Historical Context of the Conflict, with Focus on the Gaza Strip ................. 27 World War I Transforms the Middle East 1900 - 1922 ...................................................... 27 The Effects of Imperialism on ‘The Promised Land’ 1923 – 1947 ..................................... 29 The Founding of Israel 1948 – 1966 ...................................................................................... 33 War and Occupation 1967 ...................................................................................................... 38 Palestinian Resistance 1968 – 1987 ........................................................................................ 42 CHAPTER 5: The Modern Israeli-Palestinian Condition ...................................................... 46 Volatile Peace Attempts 1988 – 2000 ..................................................................................... 46 Stalemate 2000 - 2014 ............................................................................................................. 47 Israel-Gaza War of Summer 2014 ......................................................................................... 50 “Operation Protective Edge” ................................................................................................. 52 Outcome ................................................................................................................................ 55 CHAPTER 6: Israeli and Palestinian Interviews .................................................................... 59 Israeli Interviews ..................................................................................................................... 59 The Past: Key Drivers of the Problem .................................................................................. 59 The Present: Thought Processes on the Conflict .................................................................. 64 The Future: Opinions on Conflict Transformation ............................................................... 70 Palestinian Interviews ............................................................................................................. 75 The Past: Key Drivers of the Problem .................................................................................. 75 The Present: Thought Processes on the Conflict .................................................................. 80 The Future: Opinions on Conflict Transformation ............................................................... 86 Cross-Category Interview Analysis ....................................................................................... 92 Similarities ............................................................................................................................ 93 Differences ............................................................................................................................ 95 CHAPTER 7: Concluding Thoughts Going Forward ............................................................. 98 Is Peace Possible? .................................................................................................................... 98 McClellan 2 “Acknowledge and Legitimize My Pain” – Compassion’s Role in Conflict Resolution . 100 Tangible Steps Towards Peace ............................................................................................ 104 APPENDICES ........................................................................................................................... 109 APPENDIX A – Thesis Research Protocol, Preliminary Interview Questions ............... 109 APPENDIX B – Thesis Research Protocol, Background Information Survey ............... 111 APPENDIX C – Map of Key Nation-State Actors in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict ... 113 BIBLIOGRAPHY ..................................................................................................................... 114 © Colin M. McClellan McClellan 3 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Figure 3.1 Visual representation of types of Action Inquiry research that when practiced results in successful organizational transformation ................................................................................. 22 Figure 4.1 British Mandate of Palestine geographic area 1923 - 1948 ...................................... 30 Figure 4.2 United Nations 1947 Partition Plan for Palestine into Jewish and Arab States ........ 34 Figure 4.3 Map of Israel land gain post-1948 War ..................................................................... 36 Figure 4.4 Israeli land acquisition post-1967 War ...................................................................... 40 Figure 5.1 Modern Day Map of Israel and Palestinian Territories, as of 2015 .......................... 50 Figure 6.1 Maslow’s Hierarchy of Human Needs ....................................................................... 92 Figure 7.1 Subprocesses of an empathetic response to the suffering of others ......................... 101 McClellan 4 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First and foremost, I would like to acknowledge God for not only providing the experience for me to study in Israel, but also giving me the continual strength to write this thesis. Second, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to my thesis advisor, Professor Reut Livne- Tarandach, for being a transformative individual during my undergraduate education. I have never met anyone so invested in helping others achieve their goals. Reut has continually gone above and beyond, and invested countless hours to contribute towards both my academic and personal growth. I hope that one day I can pass on the depth of service to other individuals that she has shown me during my undergraduate tenure. I also want to extend a huge thank you to my family for constantly supporting me throughout undergrad, and for always believing in my achievement capabilities. I would not be here today without their encouragement and sacrifice. Furthermore, thank you to the University of Oregon’s Department of International Studies, and especially Kathie Carpenter, for providing this opportunity to write a thesis and answering any question I could possibly imagine. To all the individuals listed above, I am forever grateful. McClellan 5 ABSTRACT This honors thesis examines how individuals in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict personally interpret the conflict, and how those perceptions are similar or different across the two populations. In order to achieve this I utilize a research method, known as Action Inquiry research, that involves researching first, second, and third person perspectives over the past, present, and future dimensions of time. Several firsthand accounts of conflict zone experiences are presented in the paper, including my own from being in Israel during the summer 2014 Israel-Gaza War. Using my experience, I present an analysis of my time on the ground followed by post-conflict exposure reflections. The thesis then presents a literature review of the key historical events from 1900 – 2014 that have unfolded to create the modern day Israeli- Palestinian condition. Furthermore, a qualitative analysis is discussed of in-person interviews that I conducted of three Israelis and three Palestinians to better understand their past with the conflict, present conflict interpretations, and future perceptions for conflict
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Case #2 United States of America (Respondent)
    Model International Court of Justice (MICJ) Case #2 United States of America (Respondent) Relocation of the United States Embassy to Jerusalem (Palestine v. United States of America) Arkansas Model United Nations (AMUN) November 20-21, 2020 Teeter 1 Historical Context For years, there has been a consistent struggle between the State of Israel and the State of Palestine led by the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). In 2018, United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that the U.S. embassy located in Tel Aviv would be moving to the city of Jerusalem.1 Palestine, angered by the embassy moving, filed a case with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 2018.2 The history of this case, U.S. relations with Israel and Palestine, current events, and why the ICJ should side with the United States will be covered in this research paper. Israel and Palestine have an interesting relationship between war and competition. In 1948, Israel captured the west side of Jerusalem, and the Palestinians captured the east side during the Arab-Israeli War. Israel declared its independence on May 14, 1948. In 1949, the Lausanne Conference took place, and the UN came to the decision for “corpus separatum” which split Jerusalem into a Jewish zone and an Arab zone.3 At this time, the State of Israel decided that Jerusalem was its “eternal capital.”4 “Corpus separatum,” is a Latin term meaning “a city or region which is given a special legal and political status different from its environment, but which falls short of being sovereign, or an independent city-state.”5 1 Office of the President, 82 Recognizing Jerusalem as the Capital of the State of Israel and Relocating the United States Embassy to Israel to Jerusalem § (2017).
    [Show full text]
  • 2014 Gaza War Assessment: the New Face of Conflict
    2014 Gaza War Assessment: The New Face of Conflict A report by the JINSA-commissioned Gaza Conflict Task Force March 2015 — Task Force Members, Advisors, and JINSA Staff — Task Force Members* General Charles Wald, USAF (ret.), Task Force Chair Former Deputy Commander of United States European Command Lieutenant General William B. Caldwell IV, USA (ret.) Former Commander, U.S. Army North Lieutenant General Richard Natonski, USMC (ret.) Former Commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command Major General Rick Devereaux, USAF (ret.) Former Director of Operational Planning, Policy, and Strategy - Headquarters Air Force Major General Mike Jones, USA (ret.) Former Chief of Staff, U.S. Central Command * Previous organizational affiliation shown for identification purposes only; no endorsement by the organization implied. Advisors Professor Eliot Cohen Professor of Strategic Studies, Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University Lieutenant Colonel Geoffrey Corn, USA (ret.) Presidential Research Professor of Law, South Texas College of Law, Houston JINSA Staff Dr. Michael Makovsky Chief Executive Officer Dr. Benjamin Runkle Director of Programs Jonathan Ruhe Associate Director, Gemunder Center for Defense and Strategy Maayan Roitfarb Programs Associate Ashton Kunkle Gemunder Center Research Assistant . — Table of Contents — 2014 GAZA WAR ASSESSMENT: Executive Summary I. Introduction 7 II. Overview of 2014 Gaza War 8 A. Background B. Causes of Conflict C. Strategies and Concepts of Operations D. Summary of Events
    [Show full text]
  • Isratin: the One-State Solution to the Israeli-Palestinian
    Isratin: The One-State Solution to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Ken-Ben Chao War in the 20th Century Mr. John Bickel January 6, 2011 An anxious crowd of two hundred and fifty people gathered and waited outside the Tel Aviv Museum on May 14, 1948. Within the next thirty-two minutes, the State of Israel was formally established. After nearly two millennia in exile, the Jewish homeland was reborn. The next day, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq attacked Israel, prompting the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. Within the next sixty years, several other wars would be fought over the Israeli-Palestinian question. Today, the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, or Arab-Israeli Conflict, remains a critical obstacle to world peace and stability in the Middle East. Though peace talks have been in progress for decades, numerous issues continue to obstruct success in the negotiations. If a viable solution to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict is not created and implemented, the conflict will continue to plague the region with terrorism and war. Despite many proposed solutions, obstacles such as Jerusalem, the Israeli settlements, and Palestinian terrorism impede significant progress in the peace talks. With the numerous issues regarding the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, the best solution is a gradual reintegration of Palestinians into the Holy Land, a relaxation of tensions between the various factions, and the beginning of serious negotiations towards an eventual one-state solution. History In order to fully comprehend the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, an understanding of the region’s bloody history must first be attained. The origin of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict goes as far back as the Biblical era.
    [Show full text]
  • Forecast Performance in Times of Terrorism∗
    Forecast Performance in Times of Terrorism Jonathan Benchimoly and Makram El-Shagiz September 8, 2020 Abstract Governments, central banks, and private companies make extensive use of expert and market-based forecasts in their decision-making processes. These forecasts can be affected by terrorism, a factor that should be consid- ered by decision-makers. We focus on terrorism as a mostly endogenously driven form of political uncertainty and assess the forecasting performance of market-based and professional inflation and exchange rate forecasts in Israel. We show that expert forecasts are better than market-based fore- casts, particularly during periods of terrorism. However, the performance of both market-based and expert forecasts is significantly worse during such periods. Thus, policymakers should be particularly attentive to terrorism when considering inflation and exchange rate forecasts. Keywords: inflation, exchange rate, forecast performance, terrorism, market forecast, expert forecast. JEL Classification: C53, E37, F37, F51. Please cite this paper as: Benchimol, J., and El-Shagi, M., 2020. Forecast performance in times terrorism. Economic Modelling, 91, 386-402. This paper does not necessarily reflect the views of the Bank of Israel. The authors thank the associate editor, Joakim Westerlund, the anonymous referees, Itamar Caspi, Wagner Piazza Gaglianone, Dan Galai, Eleonora Granziera, Rudy Malka, Ariel Mansura, Benzion Schreiber, Yoav Soffer, Michel Strawczynski, Harald Uhlig, Noam Zussman, and participants at the 34th Israel Economic Association, 49th Money, Macro and Finance Research Group, and 34th CIRET annual conferences, as well as participants of the Romanian Academy, University of Macau and Bank of Israel’sresearch seminars for their useful comments. yBank of Israel, Jerusalem, Israel.
    [Show full text]
  • Annex E Peace Process and International Support AE.1 Peace Process the 1993 Oslo Accords Marked the Beginning of a Potential Two-State Solution
    Annex E Peace Process and International Support AE.1 Peace process The 1993 Oslo Accords marked the beginning of a potential two-state solution. Following secret meetings in Oslo between Israel and the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO), the Oslo Accords were signed. A five-year interim period was agreed upon after which peace should be realised. Four key ‘final status’ issues remained: 1) the nature and borders of a Palestinian State; 2) the status of Jerusalem; 3) Palestinian refugees; and 4) Israeli settlements in the occupied territories. They were the most difficult, individually and collectively, because they represent the fundamental issues of Israeli control and Palestinian national aspirations. In 1994, the PLO played a leading role in setting up the Palestinian National Authority, or simply the PA - Palestinian Authority. The set-up of international structures such as the Ad-Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC) was also part of this interim agreement. However, soon after the signing of the Oslo Accords, the peace process was derailed by a series of events. Following the 1993 Oslo Accords and the 1995 Interim Agreements between Israel and the PLO, the West Bank was divided into three zones, A, B and C. While some control was given to the PA in Areas A and B, Israel maintained full security control, and control over building and planning in Area C. Area C constitutes over 60% of the West Bank, is the only contiguous territory, and contains the most significant land reserves available for Palestinian development, as well as the bulk of Palestinian agricultural and grazing land. Area A consists of approximately 18% of the West Bank and is under Palestinian security and civil control, while Area B consists of approximately 21% of the West Bank and is under Palestinian civil control and joint Palestinian-Israeli security control.1 While the Oslo Accords were signed after the First Palestinian Intifada that started in December 1987, there were frequent outbursts of new violence including the Second Intifada that started in September 2000 and lasted until 2005.
    [Show full text]
  • Palestinian Reconciliation and the Potential of Transitional Justice
    Brookings Doha Center Analysis Paper Number 25, March 2019 Palestinian Reconciliation and the Potential of Transitional Justice Mia Swart PALESTINIAN RECONCILIATION AND THE POTENTIAL OF TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE Mia Swart The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit organization devoted to independent research and policy solutions. Its mission is to conduct high-quality, independent research and, based on that research, to provide innovative, practical recommendations for policymakers and the public. The conclusions and recommendations of any Brookings publication are solely those of its author(s), and do not reflect the views of the Institution, its management, or its other scholars. Brookings recognizes that the value it provides to any supporter is in its absolute commitment to quality, independence and impact. Activities supported by its donors reflect this commitment and the analysis and recommendations are not determined by any donation. Copyright © 2019 Brookings Institution THE BROOKINGS INSTITUTION 1775 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20036 U.S.A. www.brookings.edu BROOKINGS DOHA CENTER Saha 43, Building 63, West Bay, Doha, Qatar www.brookings.edu/doha Table of Contents I. Executive Summary .................................................................................................1 II. Introduction ..........................................................................................................3 III. Background on the Rift Between Fatah and Hamas ...............................................7 IV. The Concept
    [Show full text]
  • Is Gaza Occupied?: Redefining the Status of Gaza Under International Law Elizabeth Samson
    American University International Law Review Volume 25 | Issue 5 Article 4 2010 Is Gaza Occupied?: Redefining the Status of Gaza Under International Law Elizabeth Samson Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.wcl.american.edu/auilr Part of the International Law Commons Recommended Citation Samson, Elizabeth. "Is Gaza Occupied?: Redefining the Status of Gaza Under International Law."American University International Law Review 25 no. 5 (2010): 915-967. This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Washington College of Law Journals & Law Reviews at Digital Commons @ American University Washington College of Law. It has been accepted for inclusion in American University International Law Review by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ American University Washington College of Law. For more information, please contact [email protected]. IS GAZA OCCUPIED?: REDEFINING THE STATUS OF GAZA UNDER INTERNATIONAL LAW ELIZABETH SAMSON∗ INTRODUCTION ........................................................................... 916 I. A BRIEF POLITICAL AND TERRITORIAL HISTORY OF GAZA ........................................................................................ 919 II. INTERNATIONAL LAW RELATIVE TO THE RELATIONSHIP OF ISRAEL AND GAZA ............................ 923 A. SOURCES OF OCCUPATION LAW AND “EFFECTIVE CONTROL” ............................................................................ 923 B. LEGALITY OF THE AGREEMENTS BETWEEN ISRAEL AND THE PALESTINIANS ..............................................................
    [Show full text]
  • From Obama to Trump
    UNIVERSIDAD PONTIFICIA COMILLAS Facultad de Ciencias Humanas y Sociales Grado en Relaciones Internacionales Trabajo Fin de Grado The evolution of US foreign policy in regard to Israel under changing Administrations: from Obama to Trump Estudiante: Carmen Pedruelo Alonso Profesor: Pedro Rodríguez Martín Madrid, abril de 2018 I wish to thank my dissertation director, Pedro Rodríguez Martín, for guiding me through the research process and for his insightful suggestions and invaluable expertise. I would also like to thank my family and friends for their tireless support and unconditional love. INDEX 1. AIM AND INTENDED PURPOSE .................................................................................. 1 2. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK ................................................................................... 3 2.1 ORIGIN AND BIRTH OF ISRAEL ........................................................................................ 3 2.1.1 GEOGRAPHICAL SITUATION: PALESTINE ................................................................. 3 2.1.2 HISTORICAL JEWISH CLAIMS OVER ISRAEL: HERZL AND ZIONISM ................. 4 2.1.3 THE SYKES-PICOT AGREEMENT .................................................................................. 5 2.1.4 THE BALFOUR DECLARATION ..................................................................................... 6 2.1.5 1948: A NEW STATE IS BORN ........................................................................................ 7 2.2 EVOLUTION OF US-ISRAEL DIPLOMACY (1948-2008) .............................................
    [Show full text]
  • Egypt-Israel-Palestine: the Geometry of a Relationship After the Arab Spring
    Egypt-Israel-Palestine: the geometry of a relationship after the Arab Spring Marina Eleftheriadou* Copyright: www.rieas.gr * PhD candidate, Department of Political Science & International Relations, University of Peloponnese. Co- editor of the Centre for Mediterranean, Middle East and Islamic Studies (cemmis.edu.gr). The doctoral research, of which this paper is part, has been co-financed by the European Union (European Social Fund – ESF) and Greek national funds through the Operational Program "Education and Lifelong Learning" of the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) - Research Funding Program: Heracleitus II. The beauty in the simplicity of the “no war without Egypt, no peace without Syria” dictum has lent it an axiomatic importance among the scholars of the Middle Eastern affairs. However, while Kissinger’s apothegm, for decades, was used to discuss Syria’s role as a spoiler in the Arab-Israeli or Palestinian-Israeli peace process, the newly created uncertainties regarding Cairo’s internal dynamics, formal and informal policies vis-à-vis Israel and the various Palestinian constituencies have brought Egypt back in the headlines. For 30 years the peace treaty signed by Anwar Sadat and Menachem Begin has spared Israel from problems stemming from its south-western borders, providing Tel Aviv with a secure rear while facing challenges from Syria and Lebanon and the Palestinian groups from inside and outside Palestine. When Hamas took over Gaza, the importance of Egyptian non- hostility became increasingly important as Cairo in fact collaborated with Israel in the latter’s effort to put pressure on Hamas in military, economic and political terms. Nevertheless, while changes in Egypt are taking shape, under the shadow of the institutional duel between Mursi and SCAF, their repercussions are felt along the sides of the Egypt-Israel-Palestine triangle.
    [Show full text]
  • Life in GAZA Today Indifference of the World
    Life in GAZA Today A collection of paintings by Christian and Muslim children and adult artists who live in Gaza Catalogue Indifference of the World Mohammad Al Amrani – Aged 15 years 1 Introduction In December 2008 the Israeli Defense Forces invaded the tiny pocket of land on the eastern Mediterranean Sea known as the Gaza Strip killing approximately 1400 residents and wounding thousands more. Having wreaked great destruction and death on the area the military then withdrew and tightened again its close cordon of control around all aspects of life in the Gaza Strip which had been in place for two years. Israel continues to control the borders of Gaza, and controls all movement and trade with the outside world. Gaza’s seaport is closed and its airport bombed. All access to the population of 1.5million (over half of whom are children) including humanitarian aid, all food and water, construction supplies and medical equipment and supplies is closely controlled by Israel. These two experiences of ‘the war’ and ‘the siege’ have defined life for the people in Gaza. What is it like to live under such conditions? What do ordinary people experience? How do they cope and what do they long for? Can we hear the voice of ordinary Gazan people through the razor wire of the border fences and the blackout of everyday news and gossip from one of the poorest, most densely populated and most heavily controlled places on the planet? The Major Issues and Theology Foundation (MIAT) believes that one way we can do this is through art.
    [Show full text]
  • 2020-2021 Model Arab League and the Council on Palestinian Affairs
    2020-2021 Model Arab League BACKGROUND GUIDE Council on Palestinian Affairs ncusar.org/modelarableague Original draft by Paul Manville, Chair of the Council on Palestinian Affairs at the 2021 National University Model Arab League, with contributions from the dedicated staff and volunteers at the National Council on US-Arab Relations Honorable Delegates, It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to the 2020-2021 Model Arab League and the Council on Palestinian Affairs. My name is Paul Manville, and it is an honor to serve as your Chair. I am a graduate from Roanoke College in Salem, Virginia, where I earned my degree in History and Foreign Politics. This marks my sixth year participating in the Model Arab League Program, and I am looking forward to the insightful discussion and passionate debate that I am sure you will all bring. The Council on Palestinian Affairs is an integral part of the Arab League, and the topics below address a variety of issues that continue to plague the region. Your responsibility will be to research and develop solutions to these dilemmas while simultaneously representing the interests and positions of your country. As such, it is absolutely integral that you show up having done your due diligence in researching the politics of your country as it relates to each individual topic, though you might also find it beneficial to research the positions of the other member-states. The team that is most prepared will likely end up performing the best as well. Take full advantage of the opportunities you have. Speak up often during both moderated and unmoderated caucuses and do not be afraid to share your ideas with the room.
    [Show full text]
  • Palestinian Reconciliation: Is an End to the Conflict in Sight?
    DISCUSSION PAPER Palestinian Reconciliation: Is an End to the Conflict in Sight? Elif Zaim DISCUSSION PAPER Palestinian Reconciliation: Is an End to the Conflict in Sight? Elif Zaim © TRT WORLD RESEARCH CENTRE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PUBLISHER TRT WORLD RESEARCH CENTRE MAY 2020 WRITTEN BY ELİF ZAİM COVER PHOTO AHMED GAMIL - ANADOLU AGENCY DESIGN BY EKREM US TRT WORLD İSTANBUL AHMET ADNAN SAYGUN STREET NO:83 34347 ULUS, BEŞİKTAŞ İSTANBUL / TURKEY TRT WORLD LONDON PORTLAND HOUSE 4 GREAT PORTLAND STREET NO:4 LONDON / UNITED KINGDOM TRT WORLD WASHINGTON D.C. 1819 L STREET NW SUITE 700 20036 WASHINGTON DC www.trtworld.com researchcentre.trtworld.com The opinions expressed in this discussion paper represent the views of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the TRT World Research Centre. 2 Palestinian Reconciliation: Is an End to the Conflict in Sight? Introduction In September 2019, in his annual In light of the renewed discussions regarding po- speech at the United Nations Gen- tential elections, this paper examines the reasons eral Assembly, Palestinian President behind the division between Fatah and Hamas. Mahmoud Abbas pledged to hold Highlighting points of contention, it argues that parliamentary and presidential elec- reconciliation is urgent due to the deteriorating I tions in the West Bank, East Jerusa- humanitarian situation in Gaza and disillusion- lem and Gaza after 13 years. Although there have ment in West Bank. However, while it discuss- been numerous other calls for elections before, es several factors such as popular protests, the the process failed each time due to the ongoing emergence of a political party that can challenge conflict between the two key Palestinian parties, the status quo, the ways in which regional actors Fatah and Hamas.
    [Show full text]