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Obstacles to peace
While settlements are definitely an issue that needs to be resolved, they are not the cause of the conflict or the main obstacle to peace.
1967 War
This is a good overview of the 1967 War, including the events leading up to it and the consequences.
Settlements and International Law
This professor of international law argues that settlements are legal and only prevent a two state solution if Jews are prohibited from living in a future Palestinian state.
Day 1 of the 1967 War
On Day 1 of the 1967 War, Israel destroyed 2/3 of the Egyptian air force. At the same time, Jordan ignored Israeli pleas to stay out of the war and launched strikes against Israeli cities.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/1dqd3XPIQKI?list=PL-DNOnmKkUaagpJX65dCjPHf2gzdZ9LqR
Day 2 of the 1967 War
On Day 2 of the 1967 war Israel defeated Egyptian forces in the Sinai Desert, despite being outnumbered 3:1. Meanwhile, Israel fought Jordanian forces in Jerusalem while trying to avoid damaging holy sites in the city.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/qWyqopsYNEc?list=PL-DNOnmKkUaagpJX65dCjPHf2gzdZ9LqR
Day 5 of the 1967 War
On Day 5 of the 1967 War, Egypt admitted defeat and Israel began to push Syrian forces out of the Golan Heights - an area they used to fire artillery at Israeli civilians.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/dYvyvn49NQo?list=PL-DNOnmKkUaagpJX65dCjPHf2gzdZ9LqR
Can the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict be Solved?
This video reviews historic efforts to achieve peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
Lasting Impact of the Second Intifada
The Second Intifada was one of the most violent episodes of the conflict, and caused immense damage to hopes for peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
Khaled Meshaal
Sadly for Israelis and Palestinians, this is who has been in control of Gaza for years now.
http://www.trustorysocial.com/app/uploads/97cb288475d44c539e8a4502e644423e_KhaledMeshaal.jpg
Israeli Arabs and the peace process
Despite the challenges Arab citizens of Israel face in Israeli society and internal pressure to reject the state, most accept Israel and want to be an active part of its success.
Palestinian water shortages
Some Palestinian communities unfortunately do face water shortages, because their government has failed to maintain their water systems, will not cooperate with Israel, and refuses to make its water usage more efficient.
https://besacenter.org/perspectives-papers/truth-behind-palestinian-water-libels/
Jews in a Palestinian state
"Why is it that Israel is expected to integrate—and does a reasonable job of including—the 20 percent of its population that is Arab, yet a Jewish presence... in any future Palestinian state is deemed “an obstacle" to the two state solution?" - Maajid Nawaz
Understanding obstacles to peace
"Settlements may be a problem, but they are certainly not the major obstacle to the peace process." - Khaled Abu Toameh, Journalist
https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/3008/settlements-obstacle-to-peace
1967
Before 1967, Jordan denied or heavily restricted religious freedom in Jerusalem. Since 1967, Israel has ensured religious freedom for all in the holy city. This is a key consideration in peace negotiations.
https://www.swuconnect.com/insys/npoflow.v.2/_assets/1967%20Brochure%202%282%29.pdf
50 Years after 1967
Over 50 years after the 1967 War, it is important to understand how the war came about and why there is still no peace in the region. This resource really helps:
https://www.swuconnect.com/insys/npoflow.v.2/_assets/pdfs/fact_sheets/1967%20Brochure.pdf
Gaza negotiations
This is an insightful article about the barriers to an agreement between Israel and Hamas about improving the quality of life for the people of Gaza.
Palestinian Government Rewards Terrorism
According to one study, the Palestinian Authority rewarded convicted terrorists and their family with over $1 billion from 2013-2016.
Palestinian Government Rewards Terrorism
The Palestinian government spent $360 million to reward convicted terrorists and their families in 2018. This includes higher rewards for those who committed the worst crimes.
https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/palestinian-authority-payments-to-terrorists
Perspective: There Is No 'Israeli-Palestinian Conflict'
This is an interesting article about how to analyze and understand the conflict between Israel and its neighbors in a more complete way.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/16/opinion/israeli-palestinian-conflict-matti-friedman.html
Settlements and Solutions Interactive Map
This is a fascinating interactive resource which allows you to explore the issue of West Bank settlements and potential solutions that can be negotiated in a peace agreement.
https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/view/settlements-and-solutions
Israel, Iran, and ME
This is interesting analysis about the tensions between Iran and Israel over Syria, written by the non-partisan Congressional Research Service.
The Iran Primer
This is a useful historical overview of Iran-Israel relations and conflict, written by the U.S. Institute of Peace.
Iran-Israel Relationship through the years
Iran and Israel cooperated fairly closely on security issues for many years, even after the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Perspectives on the Oslo Accords
This article provides a variety of perspectives about the failure of the Oslo Accords.
https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/why-the-oslo-accords-failed/
The Golan Heights and international law
Here is a legal case for why the Golan Heights should be recognized as part of Israel.
http://www.thetower.org/article/the-case-for-israeli-sovereignty-in-the-golan-heights/
The Golan Heights and International Law
This article argues that while Israel's control of the Golan Heights is better for the security and human rights of people living there, recognizing this territory as part of Israel would create dangerous incentives for states around the world.
https://www.justsecurity.org/63491/the-golan-heights-and-the-perils-of-defensive-annexation/
Settlements and Solutions
This interactive map allows you to explore different ways the territorial dispute between Israelis and Palestinians could be resolved.
What Comes After Abbas?
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has no clear successor, but this article lays out some theories for what may happen after he leaves office.
https://www.inss.org.il/research/day-abbas-possible-scenarios-strategic-significances-israel/
Oslo Accords database
The Economic Cooperation Foundation has an interesting database of documents related to the Oslo Accords and subsequent negotiations between Israelis, Palestinians, and Arab states.
Arab Reactions to the U.S. Peace Plan
This is a well-rounded analysis of how various Arab leaders and states reacted to the 2020 U.S. plan to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Consequences of the 2020 U.S. Peace Plan
This article provides an interesting perspective on how the 2020 U.S. peace plan may affect future U.S. policy regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/01/28/trump-israel-palestinian-middle-east-peace-plan-108078
2020 U.S. Peace Plan Overview
This is a useful overview of the 2020 U.S. Peace Plan, including the historical context, what the plan calls for, and reactions to it from across the region.
Rashid Khalidi Hundred Years War on Palestine
"The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine is not a new, revisionist history that challenges both Israeli and Palestinian readers with its reexamination of their respective narratives. It is simply poor history."
https://jewishreviewofbooks.com/articles/7210/the-war-on-history/
Opinions about annexation
Some security experts believe annexing parts of the West Bank would harm Israel’s security by damaging peaceful relations with Egypt and Jordan, causing the Palestinian Authority to collapse, and sparking war with Hamas, among other reasons.
Opinions about annexation
Some security experts believe annexing parts of the West Bank would make Israel more secure, because any military withdrawal from those areas would put Israel in grave danger.
https://besacenter.org/perspectives-papers/annexing-west-bank-area-c/
Analysis of possible annexation of parts of the West Bank
This article offers critical analysis about why PM Netanyahu may have decided to push for applying Israeli sovereignty to parts of the West Bank in July, 2020.
Analysis of possible annexation of parts of the West Bank
Some argue that potential Israeli annexation of parts of the West Bank is a way to pressure Palestinian leaders to negotiate peace, by showing that time is not on their side.
Agreements Between Israel, UAE, and Bahrain
In September, 2020, Israel signed historic peace and normalization agreements with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. You can read the agreements here:
https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/15/politics/israel-uae-abraham-accords-documents/index.html
Warm Peace vs. Cold Peace
Normalization between Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain may bring a "warm peace" to the Middle East, creating much closer cooperation than the "cold peace" with Jordan and Egypt.
Qatari attacks on UAE-Israel Normalization
The UAE – Israel normalization agreement was attacked by the Qatari regime's media outlets, leading Saudi media to defend the UAE. This reflects the rivalries between various Arab states in the Gulf.
https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/fikraforum/view/qatars-media-campaign-uae-israel-deal
Regional impact of Israel-UAE normalization
This article offers analysis of how the Israel-United Arab Emirates agreement may affect the Middle East.
Palestinian reaction to Israel-UAE deal
This article argues Palestinian leaders missed an opportunity by attacking United Arab Emirates officials over their deal with Israel.
Perspectives on Normalization
This article provides a variety of perspectives on UAE-Israel normalization, including the idea that Jordan is a major winner from the deal.
Skepticism about UAE-Israel normalization
Some critics argue UAE-Israel peace could be counterproductive if it pushes long term issues with Palestinians down the road, increases tensions with Iran, and creates opposition among the people of the UAE.
Ariel Sharon
This podcast offers an interesting look at former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's legacy - particularly his controversial decision to withdraw all Israeli soldiers and civilians from Gaza.
Oslo Explainer
Here is some helpful info about the Oslo Accords, including a bit of context about how this Israeli-Palestinian treaty came about.
The Cold War and the Oslo Accords
This is an interesting on the Oslo Accords, including how the end of the Cold War and collapse of the USSR pressured Palestinian leaders into negotiating with Israel.
https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/view/oslos-mangled-legacy
HRW “apartheid” Smear
International law expert Eugene Kontorovich argues that the Human Rights Watch’s 2021 report isn’t serious analysis, but rather a deeply misleading tool in a political campaign against Israel.
HRW “apartheid” smear only contributes to conflict
Former U.S. diplomats argue Human Rights Watch’s report smearing Israel will make the Israeli-Palestinian conflict harder to solve.
“Apartheid” smear is misleading and counterproductive
A former member of the Guardian editorial board argues that the “apartheid” smear against Israel exploits the suffering of South Africans and misleads the public.
https://unherd.com/2021/01/dont-call-israel-an-apartheid-state/
Ottoman Land Registration Law
In 1858 the Ottoman Empire enacted the Tapu Law, allowing people to register as owners of land in Arab provinces. For a variety of reasons, most farmers chose not to register and Ottoman and Arab elites became owners of vast amounts of territory. This became an important factor in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
https://israeled.org/ottomans-introduce-title-deeds-for-arab-lands/
Oslo Accords Legacy
This is a highly critical perspective regarding the Oslo Accords, an international treaty that still have major impact on relations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/oslos-mangled-legacy
Players in Israel-Egypt Peace Talks
This is an insightful essay from an Israeli negotiator who was at the 1978 Camp David peace talks between Egypt and Israel.
https://www.thecairoreview.com/essays/the-players-of-camp-david/
Perspectives on Camp David
This is one perspective about why the Oslo Peace Process between Israelis and Palestinians has failed thusfar, while the peace deal between Israel and Egypt has been successful.
https://www.thecairoreview.com/essays/oslo-and-camp-david-one-and-the-same/
Comparing the 1978 and 2000 Camp David Summits
There have been two famous rounds of peace negotiations hosted by the U.S. at Camp David: one in 1978 between Israel and Egypt and another in 2000 between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization. This is an interesting comparison of these two historical events.
https://israeled.org/camp-david-and-the-pursuit-of-peace-comparing-the-camp-david-summits/