By Dr. Frederick Braimah
The Israeli-Palestinian war, a longstanding and complicated conflict, is often seen and regarded as a stark reminder of the limitations and failures of diplomacy.
Diplomacy, the art of fostering collaborative relationships between nations, organizations, or individuals, typically involves nuanced negotiations, tactful persuasion, and strategic compromise to yield mutually beneficial results. As a cornerstone of International Relations, diplomacy facilitates conflict resolution, cooperation, and the advancement of national interests. However, the Israeli-Palestinian relations have posed a major challenge to this diplomatic framework, marked by persistent conflicts that have hindered effective implementation of foreign policy and reconciliation efforts.
For several decades, attempts at peaceful resolution of the crises have failed, perpetuating a cycle of violence and mistrust.
The conflict’s origins date back to the early 20th century, with the rise of Zionism and Arab nationalism. Post-World War I, the British Mandate for Palestine created an unstable foundation, as both Jews and Arabs laid claim to the same land. The 1948 establishment of the State of Israel, following the Holocaust, displaced hundreds of thousands of Palestinians (the Nakba or “catastrophe” in Arabic). This event ignited a regional conflict, with neighboring Arab states rejecting Israel’s existence.
Numerous diplomatic efforts have aimed to resolve the conflict including:
The Camp David Accords (1978) which succeeded in establishing peace between Israel and Egypt, resulted in the assassination of Anwar Sadat, the agreement failed to address Palestinian concerns.
The Oslo Peace Process (1993-2000) brought direct Israeli-Palestinian negotiations but yielded limited progress, ultimately collapsing amid violence and mistrust.
The Camp David Summit (2000), a US-mediated talk ended in stalemate, as parties disagreed on key issues like Jerusalem and refugee rights.
The Middle East Quartet (2002), The UN, EU, US, and Russia proposed a roadmap for peace, but implementation stalled.
The US Secretary of State, John Kerry’s Initiative (2013-2014) efforts ended without a framework agreement.
Several factors have been implicated for the failure of diplomacy. These include
1. Deep-seated mistrust: Decades of violence and broken promises have entrenched mutual skepticism.
2. Competing narratives: Israelis emphasise security concerns and historical ties to the land, while Palestinians stress their right to self-determination and territorial sovereignty.
3. Settlement expansion: Israeli construction in the West Bank and East Jerusalem undermines Palestinian claims to territory.
4. Hamas-Fatah divisions: Intra-Palestinian conflicts weakened unified negotiating positions.
5. External influences: Regional powers, such as Iran and Saudi Arabia, often prioritise their interests over Israeli-Palestinian peace.
The failure of diplomacy in containing this conflict has resulted in cycles of violence claiming civilian lives, displacing families and destroying infrastructure. The conflict has hindered economic development, with attendant poverty and inequality, while creating tensions across the Middle East, drawing in external actors.
There is an urgent need therefore, to break the present impasse and renewed diplomatic efforts must necessarily address core issues including Jerusalem, refugees, borders, and security concerns.
Intra-Palestinian reconciliation is crucial for effective negotiations while also engaging regional stakeholders, neighboring countries and international organisations to assist in building trust.
Joint economic initiatives may assist in fostering mutual interests and confidence.
Ultimately, a lasting resolution demands courageous leadership, creative diplomacy, and a willingness to compromise. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict serves as a stark reminder that diplomacy’s failure can have devastating consequences, underscoring the need for sustained, innovative efforts to achieve peace.
NB: Dr Frederick Braimah is a Lecturer and Head of Department at the Department of Political Science, Elizade University, ilara-mokin. Ondo State. Nigeria.
