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A Palestinian State UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones 2009 A Palestinian state Jennifer A. Hileman-Tabios University of Nevada Las Vegas Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/thesesdissertations Part of the Asian Studies Commons, International Law Commons, and the International Relations Commons Repository Citation Hileman-Tabios, Jennifer A., "A Palestinian state" (2009). UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones. 132. http://dx.doi.org/10.34917/1385252 This Thesis is protected by copyright and/or related rights. It has been brought to you by Digital Scholarship@UNLV with permission from the rights-holder(s). You are free to use this Thesis in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s) directly, unless additional rights are indicated by a Creative Commons license in the record and/ or on the work itself. This Thesis has been accepted for inclusion in UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones by an authorized administrator of Digital Scholarship@UNLV. For more information, please contact [email protected]. A PALESTINIAN STATE by Jennifer A. Hileman-Tabios Bachelor of Science University of Nevada, Las Vegas 2003 Master of Arts in Political Science Department of Political Science College of Liberal Arts Graduate College University of Nevada, Las Vegas December 2009 THE GRADUATE COLLEGE We recommend that the thesis prepared under our supervision by Jennifer A. Hileman-Tabios entitled A Palestinian State be accepted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts Political Science Mehran Tamadonfar, Committee Chair John Tuman, Committee Member Dennis Pirages, Committee Member John Curry, Graduate Faculty Representative Ronald Smith, Ph. D., Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies and Dean of the Graduate College December 2009 ii ABSTRACT A Palestinian State by Jennifer A. Hileman-Tabios Dr. Mehran Tamadonfar, Examination Committee Chair Associate Professor of Political Science University of Nevada, Las Vegas Should an independent, sovereign state of Palestine have the right to exist? The establishment of an independent Palestinian state is important because it could possibly end an extended period of violence with Israel, where civilian casualties have been high, and it could help to solidify a foundation of political tolerance and acceptance in the Middle East. Under the proposed two-state solution, an independent Palestinian state is possible. However, to determine if a Palestinian state is viable, it will be necessary to examine internal political struggles, economic resources, systems of communication, political systems and internal and external political policies. This qualitative research will focus on examining the resources and systems that would be essential in creating a solid infrastructure and foundation for the Palestinian people and a strong, sovereign, internationally recognized Palestinian state. iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to thank Dr. Mehran Tamadonfar, who not only served as my supervisor, but also encouraged and challenged me throughout my academic program. I also want to thank my three children; Taylor, Parker and Benjamin. They inspire me to set the bar high and achieve my personal best. Finally, I would like to thank my husband, Joe. Without his support and unending patience this chapter in my life would not have been possible. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT.…………………………………………………………………………… iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS……………………………………………………......... iv INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………………………. ..1 CHAPTER 1 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK.............................................7 Nation and State Building ............................................................7 Environmental Theory................................................................13 Institution Building....................................................................19 CHAPTER 2 PALESTINIAN HISTORY ....................................................23 The Canaanites and Phillistines .................................................23 Zionism .....................................................................................25 British Mandate of Palestine ......................................................28 The White Paper.........................................................................31 The War of 1948 ........................................................................36 The Arab Nations and the Palestinian Issue ...............................38 The Six-Day War........................................................................42 Israel and the Palestinian Issue..................................................46 The Oslo Peace Accord ...............................................................51 CHAPTER 3 CONTEMPORARY POLITICAL ISSUES...............................57 Palestinian Political Structure ....................................................57 Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine .....................57 Palestine Liberation Organization......................................58 Fatah................................................................................60 Palestinian Authority ........................................................62 Hamas ..............................................................................65 Hamas vs. Fatah: Competition for Control..................................68 Hamas and Israel: Confrontation and Resistance .......................69 The United States and the Palestinian Issue...............................71 The UN and the Palestinian Issue...............................................72 Arab States and the Palestinian Issue ........................................74 Israel and the Current Palestinian Conflict.................................77 CHAPTER 4 STATE BUILDING: SEARCH FOR A PALESTINIAN STATE .82 Demographics............................................................................82 Economic Indicators ..................................................................85 Current Economic Impacts of the Israeli Policies ........................91 Physical Infrastructures.............................................................94 Political Institutions...................................................................99 CONCLUSION....................................................................................103 v BIBLIOGRAPHY .................................................................................108 VITA ..................................................................................................112 vi INTRODUCTION The conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians has been raging since the establishment of Israel after World War II. The European Jews displaced after the Holocaust desired the present state of Israel, formerly Palestine, and they were encouraged by other states. It did not seem to matter, to the Zionists or to the rest of the world, that the land was already occupied and belonged to the Palestinians. Since the late 1940’s the Palestinians have been fighting for their right to exist in their homeland and reclaim their homes. Popular media, however, especially in the western world, does not paint a realistic picture of the conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians. The western world, the United States in particular, fully and blindly, supports Israel and their oppressive, violent actions against the Palestinians. Over the years, as Palestinians have fought for their land and homes, different political groups have come into power to represent the interests of Palestine as a whole. The Palestine Liberation Organization, the political group Fatah, and the controversial political group Hamas, have all stood up to Israel in an attempt to reclaim their land, more presently in the areas of Gaza and the West Bank. Hamas is controversial because of their violent acts towards Israel, in an attempt towards resolution, and as a result has offended parts of the international community. The interference of these institutions and the international scrutiny of others have made it even 1 more difficult for the Palestinians to make a united stand and establish a sovereign state. The establishment of a Palestinian state is important because it could possibly end an extended period of violence, where civilian casualties have been high, it could help to solidify a foundation of political tolerance and acceptance in the Middle East and it can promote positive global change for human rights. The viability of a Palestinian state has been affected by economic, political and geographic factors. Several of these obstacles are compounded by the role that larger countries play. Economically, the Palestinians are completely dependent on Israel for their success and survival. If Israel places limitations or restrictions on the Palestinians and their economic livelihood, the Palestinians are at their mercy as they have no recourse to supplement their economic earning base. The political obstacles that Palestinians face are some of the most far reaching and detrimental to their independent existence. The internal political corruption in the Palestinian Authority creates problems for the Palestinians before they even begin to cross international borders. The lack of political cohesion among Palestinians and their well founded distrust in their political leaders, results in a disjointed
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