America’s Role in the Arab-Israeli Conflict and the Solutions that Could Resolve It
Two Palestinian students were protesting in University of Maryland - College Park against Israeli festival in the campus 2016. Photo taken by me.
When you hear the words “Arab-Israeli conflict,” what crosses your mind? What is the first impression you get? For me, the closer I get to 30, I get a picture of blood and destruction that have plagued Palestine and its people.
I grew up, realizing that Palestine is an Arab state and Jerusalem was its capital. I saw for myself the 2000 Second Palestinian Intifada, the 2008 Gaza War, the 2006 Lebanon War and the Palestinian suicide attacks in Israeli areas. This doesn’t include the settlements increase.
My memories of the Arab-Israeli conflict are of blood and death. I am unable to comprehend peace when I think about this time in history. In 2011, I entered the journalism world. This was at the height of the tension in the Arab world and during the outbreak of the Arab Spring revolutions. I once more saw scenes of blood, destruction and death.
Syria has seen the worst humanitarian crisis in modern history after the World Wars. The war and the Syrian regime have led to the displacement of millions of people. Syria became the land of blood and death. The Arab-Israeli conflict is no longer on the forefront of the Arab people’s mind - those who are used to seeing the Red Ribbon and the daily signs of blood and death.
Iraq is riddled with political and economic crisis and needs security. Libya is turbulent and preoccupied the internal division and conflict caused by terrorism. Egypt is looking to stabilize itself. Houthi militia have kidnapped Yemen citizens who desire both security and life. The only country that has escaped the ravages of the Arab Spring is Tunisia.
History of the Region
My analysis is the result of watching the Arab world via satellite cameras – looking at the Arab map with a broader perspective. It made me reconsider many of the concepts I knew about the Arab-Israeli conflict. In 1948, the State of Israel was built on the ruins of the Palestinian. After all, the Jews believed Palestine is their land and a place of stability, as noted in the Torah. Thanks to Western support, the Arabs and Palestinians were defeated multiple times:
1948 – When Israel was built
1966 – Battle of Samu’a
1967 – Six Days War or Tripartite Aggression
1973 – Defeat of Arab
1988 – First Palestinian Intifada
2000 – Second Palestinian Intifada
2006 – War of Hezbollah and Lebanon
2008 – Gaza Aggression
2014 – Gaza Aggression
This historical review of the relationship between the Arab world and Israel leads to two questions:
· When does the crisis end?
· What is the U.S.’ role?
The U.S. has played an integral part in the Arab-Israeli conflict for many years. In 1979, it was the primary sponsor of the Camp David Accords between Israel and Egypt. Again, it was a sponsor in 1993, between Palestine and Israel in the Oslo Accords, and again, in 1994 between Jordan and Israel.
In 2006, 2008 and 2014, the U.S. pressured Israel to ceased fire an attack. Today, the U.S. administration recognizes Jerusalem as being Israel’s capital. President Donald Trump issued a decision to move the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem despite the objections of the Arab people and the Palestinian state.
Is There An Answer To All The Conflicts?
Dr. Hossam Zamlout, U.S. ambassador and representative of the Palestinian delegation, said Trump’s decision to move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem was a stab in the back of the Arab world. He said America’s role as an honest sponsor for peace negotiations is no longer as it was. His decision, Zamlout said, will challenge the two-state solution of the 1967 borders.
These statements are an indication of the dissatisfaction and anger the Arab and Palestine feel about the U.S. administration’s decision to end the conflict. It’s my thought, the conflict could end of the following measures were enacted:
· A commitment to a two-state solution of the 1967 borders and recognition of East Jerusalem as being the Palestine capital.
· The principles of the negotiations settlement between the Israelis and Palestinians based on the 1993 Oslo Accords.
· Arab Peace Agreement the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia submitted via the League of Arab States in 2002.
The world is currently waiting to see the peace plan the U.S. administration is allegedly drafting up. What people would like to see from the U.S. is a commit to be a neutral and a contributor to real peace – not to increase the conflict. It’s not fair to take the Israeli view without taking into consideration the opinions the Palestinians and Arabs have.
My peers and I recall the painful scenes each time the phrase “Arab-Israeli conflict” is uttered. It’s something we do not wish repeated and want to see happen once more. The Palestinian people have a right to life and to live, and we have opportunities and possibilities that allow us to create a bright future in the Middle East… together.
American students were protesting to support Palestine in University of Maryland - College Park in 2016. Photo taken by me.