Bollman 1

Benjamin Bollman

Mrs. Philips

A.P. English Language and Composition

6 April 2021

The Solution to the Israeli Palestinian Conflict

Any good United States citizen would agree with a quote from the Declaration of

Independence that states “Governments are instituted among men, deriving their power from the

consent of the governed” (Thomas Jefferson). Throughout the world, nations struggle with

internal affairs, especially when it comes to a population’s right to self-determination. One of the

most controversial, and longest ongoing examples of this would be the Israeli-Palestinian

conflict. This complex and nuanced event first began in the late 1940’s when the state of Israel

was first formed. Following the creation of the state of Israel, numerous wars ensued, resulting in

Israel gaining many territories containing large populations of Palestinians. This resulted in the

current Israeli occupation of Palestinian populated territories, where Palestinians are left without

a voice and have no influence over the government occupying them. Since the earliest days

following the acquisition of West Bank and Gaza there has been a growing movement for

Palestinian independence. The main problem occurs when considering various issues like past

conflicts, demographics, economic properties, and more, causing a dispute among world leaders

as to what the best peace plan would be. The best solution to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict is a

two-state solution with security measures, as it advocates for democracy, defines boundaries of

political control, and prevents further violence.

Opponents of a two-state solution will argue that it causes more harm than good. One

common view is concerned that creating a Palestinian state next to Israel may create a hostile
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nation, and future conflicts. This concern stems from a fear of further violence from radical

Palestinian groups like Hamas. Additionally, another argument that is commonly raised is the

fact that Israeli settlements in the West Bank would need to be abandoned. Many people oppose

a two-state solution because it has the potential to displace so many Israeli citizens. Another

opposing argument is the fact that Palestinians would lose foreign aid as they would be

recognized as a nation. Currently, what little economy Palestine has is dependent on foreign aid

that they receive because of their refugee status.

However, the creation of two separate states for Palestine and Israel fosters democratic

values and provides voices to various participants, while also maintaining Israel’s national

sovereignty. One of the main reasons why the two-state solution would extend democracy is the

fact that nearly half of the people living in Israel do not have a voice in the nation’s affairs.

Currently the Palestinian population living in Israel, as well as the occupied Gaza Strip, East

Jerusalem, and West Bank is over 5.3 million people. As a result, the Palestinian population is

actually larger than the Jewish population of 5.2 million (“Palestinian Population 2021”). The

current provisional government known as the Palestinian Authority, is only able to exercise sole

control over a small percent of the West bank, and part of the Gaza Strip, leaving many

Palestinians without a voice in national affairs. Authority figures within the UN, also agree that

there is a deprivation of freedom to Palestinians. The secretary general of the United Nations,

Antonio Guterres even states “Palestinian have endured more than a half-century of occupation

and denial of their legitimate right to self-determination” (“Two State ‘side-by-side’ is the

‘peaceful and just solution’ …”). Furthermore, Palestinian independence would also provide

more economic freedom to the Palestinians, as Israeli policies are extremely restrictive.

Currently, with the lack of voice that the Palestinians have in their affairs, the private sector has
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declined, and wilted, resulting in nearly eighty percent of the nation’s GDP coming from foreign

aid (“Palestinian Population 2021”). This lack of freedom and representation within the

government has led to the extreme disenfranchisement of Palestinians, and economic ruin. A

two-state solution would offer a perfect opportunity for all Palestinians to finally gain a voice

within the government and create a democracy that would cater to their needs.

Additionally, a monitored two state solution would also define political boundaries of

control, as it would definitively delineate areas of Israeli and Palestinian influence. One example

is the fact that there would no longer be a dispute over Palestinian control in Gaza, since

responsible groups would be placed in charge. Currently, Gaza is ruled by a militant group called

Hamas, who is labeled as a terrorist organization by the U.S., Israel, and several other nations. A

two-state solution would definitively place a responsible party in charge of the Gaza territory

under one unified Palestinian government. As a result of the threatening organization overseeing

Gaza, borders are tightly controlled by both Israel and Egypt in order to prevent dangerous

weapons from falling into the hands of Hamas (“Eurovision 2019: The Israeli-Palestinian

Conflict Explained”). This problem could be easily repaired with the institution of a single,

qualified Palestinian government, that would be able to reduce these restrictions, while ensuring

no illegal activity. Furthermore, the Trump peace plan called “Peace to Prosperity” offers an

ideal example of the effects of a two-state solution on the current border situation. As a result of

the continual exchange of territory from war called “land swaps,” the claims to certain territories

are difficult to distinguish. An effective plan would be able to offer near comparable territory to

the Palestinians that was held prior to the Six-day War, which the plan attempts to do. The Peace

to Prosperity plan creates a border that would enable approximately 97 percent of Israelis within

the West Bank to be in Israeli territory, and 97 percent of Palestinians to be in Palestinian

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territory. Many factors must be considered, but the Peace to Prosperity plan provides Palestinians

and Israelis within opposite territories an option to remain where they are or relocate to their

desired nation (“The Trump Peace Plan - Peace to Prosperity”). Additionally, a two-state

solution would be able to set borders to enable a compromise between Israeli security measures

and Palestinian economic aspirations. Certain areas within the disputed territories are essential to

Israeli security, like the Jordan Valley, but also contain Palestinian agricultural enterprises. This

requires both sides to allow businesses to continue without discrimination. A two-state solution

would be able to define borders to offer maximum security to Israel, while still maintaining

Palestine’s economic and agricultural institutions, through the construction of infrastructure like

roads, bridges, tunnels, and access points (“The Trump Peace Plan - Peace to Prosperity”). While

it may be difficult to draw borders when creating the state of Palestine, it is a positive outcome of

a two-state solution, since it outlines the boundaries of political control and solves problems

regarding Gaza and Palestinian demographics.

Most importantly, a two-state solution would prevent further conflict and offer security,

as the situation would be supervised by third parties that would ensure a reduction in violence

between Israelis and Palestinians. One of the main instances of violence that would be prevented

is Palestinian uprisings against Israel called Intifadas. In the past, Israel has experience two

Intifadas, where Palestinians revolted against the Israeli government. These outbreaks of

violence resulted in Israel constructing a wall between Israel and Gaza in 2002, which has only

added to the rising tensions (Cooks et al). This example of violence among Palestinians and

Israelis clearly displays the need for a Palestinian state in order to prevent further conflicts. With

growing concerns about the occurrence of a third Intifada it becomes essential that Palestine

becomes its own state. Furthermore, creating a separate Palestinian state would end violent
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clashes between Israeli military forces and Palestinian protestors. One notable instance of

violence that could have been prevented took place in the spring of 2018. A weekly Palestinian

protest took place at the border of Gaza and Israel, but soon turned violent. Some protestors

threw rocks at military officers, and stormed the fence, resulting in Israeli retaliation. By the end

of the conflict 183 protestors were killed with over 6,000 wounded (Cooks et al). The two-state

solution would be essential in de-escalating tensions between Palestinians and Israelis and would

resolve questions surroundings contented areas. Additionally, a monitored peace plan between

Israel and Palestine would ensure that irresponsible and radical parties would not take control of

Palestine. Throughout the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, one of the main contributors to the

violence has been the terrorist organization of Hamas. Hamas has been a major antagonist to

Israel as they fired nearly 3,000 rockets from Gaza to Israel in 2014 alone (Cooks et al). With the

involvement of international powers like the United Nations, the United States and Jordan, a

two-state solution would be able to ensure that no violent regime takes place. The promise of

peaceful coexistence is displayed by the prime minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu when

meeting on the most recent one proposed by former president Trump. After reviewing the Peace

to Prosperity plan, Netanyahu stated “"You have charted a brilliant future for Israelis and

Palestinians toward a lasting peace … for decades that peace has proved elusive” (O’Reilly and

Roberts). Finally, the two-state solution would offer safety and security to Palestinian refugees.

As a result of the decades long conflicts surrounding Israel, many Palestinians have become

displaced without any protection. Scholars estimate that over 700,000 Palestinians have fled their

homes as a result of the Arab Israeli War alone (Marks). Currently, the United Nations estimates

that over 1.5 million Palestinian refugees are living in nothing more than camps (“Palestinian

Population 2021”). The institution of a Palestinian state would finally give these vulnerable
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refugees a sense of safety and security. A two-state solution has the perfect potential to bring

peace to the Middle East, as it prevents future conflicts, and offers safety and security to both

Israelis and Palestinians.

Altogether, the puzzling problem that is known as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is best

remedied by a two-state solution that includes security measures, as it promotes self-

determination and democracy, defines political boundaries, and creates peace and security. The

Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been a significant issue facing the world for decades on end that

has resulted in significant deaths, displacements, and damages. Palestinians living under Israeli

governing have been left destitute and vulnerable, with no way to obtain self-determination. In

order for a better and more peaceful world to develop, conflicts like this must be solved with a

nuanced but effective solution. An effective two state solution would be able to compromise

between the needs of both Israel and Palestine and create the best possible outcome for both. By

instituting a two-state solution, a template is set up to bring peace to the Middle East which

offers an example for all nations across the globe to follow.

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Works Cited:

Cooks, Steven A, et al. “Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Global Conflict Tracker.” Council on Foreign

Relations, Council on Foreign Relations, 2018, www.cfr.org/global-conflict-

tracker/conflict/israeli-palestinian-conflict.

“Eurovision 2019: The Israeli-Palestinian Situation Explained.” BBC News, BBC, 14 May 2019,

www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-44124396.

Marks, Julie. “Gaza: The History That Fuels the Conflict.” History Chanel, A&E Television Networks,

30 May 2018, www.history.com/news/gaza-conflict-history-israel-palestine.

O'Reilly, Andrew, and John Roberts. “Trump Unveils Middle East Peace Plan with Two-State Solution,

Tunnel Connecting West Bank and Gaza.” Fox News, FOX News Network, 28 Jan. 2020,

www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-middle-east-peace-plan-includes-two-state-solution-tunnel-to-

connect-west-bank-and-gaza-strip.

“Palestine Population 2021 (Live).” Palestine Population 2021 (Demographics, Maps, Graphs), World

Population Review, 2021, worldpopulationreview.com/countries/palestine-population.

“The Trump Peace Plan -- Peace to Prosperity.” American Israeli Cooperative Enterprise, 2020,

www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/peace-to-prosperity-the-trump-peace-plan.

“Two States ‘side-by-side’ is the ‘peaceful and just solution’ for Israel-Palestine conflict: Guterres.” UN

News, United Nations, 15 Feb. 2019, https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/02/103284.

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