Some Complexities of Geopolitics

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a tragic example of the complexities of geopolitics. In this short essay, I will consider a few aspects of the historical background of the conflict to offer some context for thinking about current disputes and describe three ways in which domestic politics complicate the prospects of reaching peace in the region.

Some Brief Historical Context and Starting Points

The region currently occupied by the State of Israel and the surrounding areas has a complicated political history. Consider just a few key events from the last century. The British gained control of the area after World War I and the fall of the Ottoman Empire. The British promised land to the Jews in the Balfour Declaration of 1917; in the Hussein-McMahon Correspondence, the British also promised an Arab state in return for their help in the fight against the Turks. Both groups have claims to the land based on history, possession, and legal documents.

In the post-World War II conflict in Palestine, the Jews sought independence. The United Nations created a partition plan that divided part of the Palestine Mandate into two states: one for the Jewish people, and one for the Arabs who did not have a state of their own. The Arabs rejected the UN plan. When Britain left the region, Jewish leaders declared independence and created the state of Israel, and their neighbors immediately attacked in what we now call the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. Since then, Israel has been involved in seven wars, two Palestinian intifadas, and many more conflicts.

In my view, conversations on this complicated issue should begin with acknowledgement of two key points.

First, Israel, a formally-recognized state and member of the United Nations, has the right to exist as a sovereign democratic nation. Israel’s Arab neighbors should acknowledge this right and not seek Israel’s destruction.

Second, the Palestinian refugees are the victims of real and sustained suffering. The hundreds of thousands of people who were living in the region of Palestine at the time of partition now comprise 4.8 million refugees dispersed in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip who are too often pawns in the geopolitics of the area.

Some Possible Impediments to a Lasting Peace

Domestic politics in the United States, Israel, and the Palestinian Territories create significant impediments to peace in the region. Given space and time constraints, let me consider an example from each.

(1) Lack of Space for Conversation in the United States

By all accounts, the relationship between the United States and the state of Israel is a strong alliance. Although I believe that our commitment to Israel is well warranted, I don’t think it should be unquestioned. As should be the case in maintaining our relationship with any foreign country, we need open and honest conversation that acknowledges the complexities of the situation in the region and its complicated history. In short, we need more meaningful dialogue about what our role in the region should be.

American diplomats and political leaders need the political space to weigh various options and consider what short and long term policies are in the best interest of the United States and the state of Israel. Current domestic political pressures from both major parties make it incredibly difficult for U.S. leaders to weigh options and offer them very little political leverage when dealing with Israel. It is difficult to broker peace under such circumstances.

(2) Rethinking Settlements

One of the most significant barriers to peace talks is the issue of settlements, both the official Israeli government approved neighborhoods on land in the occupied territories and outposts, unofficial settlements not recognized by Israeli law. Ultra-orthodox groups create outposts for ideological and political purposes; they do so without the endorsement or consent of the Israeli government.

The word “settlements” can muddle the debate, as this category includes small villages, vast suburbs, and even some small cities. More than half a million Israelis live in settlements in the Golan Heights, East Jerusalem, and the West Bank.

The settlement issue is often a major sticking point in negotiations. For example, it was a key reason peace talks stalled in 2010. It is difficult for the Palestinians and for the international community to believe that Israel is genuinely seeking a two-state solution when they have built vast settlements on disputed land.

(3) Internal Political Divisions among the Palestinians

In the past decades, different groups and political parties have sought and gained leadership of the Palestinians. Corruption and terrorism have been common. Negotiation has been difficult or impossible.

Currently, two parties, Hamas and Fatah, vie for Palestinian loyalties. Conflict between the two parties escalated into the Fatah-Hamas conflict in 2006, which has left Fatah in control of the West Bank and Hamas in control of Gaza. This internal conflict creates significant division and weakens the Palestinians’ ability to seek genuine peace. To complicate matters, Fatah has a history of corruption and undemocratic ways that contributed to the shift in support toward Hamas. Many international actors (including the U.S. and the EU) regard Hamas as a terrorist organization. Hamas has a clear history of engaging in the tools of terrorism and refuses to recognize Israeli sovereignty.

Attempts are currently underway to resolve this dispute, but as of this writing, there has been little significant progress. Without unified Palestinian leadership, it will be quite difficult to move forward in the peace process.

The Role of Christians Seeking Resolution and Reconciliation

My comments have noted just a few of the many factors that complicate a path toward peace. The current conflict in Israel and Palestine has been raging for two generations. As followers of Christ, we should seek a deeper and more objective understanding of both sides of the conflict, we should stand against human rights violations wherever they occur, and we should seek opportunities to broker meaningful peace. Above all, we should join with the Psalmist who enjoins us to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem.”