Kendra Luckey

ISDT 278
Global Perspectives
Dr. Griffin

Kendra Luckey

Peace for the People

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is of recent importance and attention because, although

there has been a resolution, there is a great possibility that it may start again. It is very hard to

accomplish peace in this conflict, because the root of the problem is in the past. The current clash

is current politics and the relation between Palestine and Israel nowadays. The Israelis and

Palestinians are fighting over the same geographical area. Both groups have deep heritage in the

territory, but each group presents arguments to prove why the area is their homeland. Both

groups make practical arguments on behalf of their sides. Therefore, this conflict needs to be

inspected from additional information and perspectives.

Roots of Conflict:

The five most essential points of conflict between Israel and Palestine are the following:

Jerusalem, security, settlements, refugee, and a solution. Jerusalem is the home of some of the

holiest locations for Judaism and Islam. This is a main point of conflict for the Israelis and

Palestinians, because they both want to make it their capital. Not only do they want it as their

capital, but they are having issues deciding how to divide this area fairly. Neither group can

picture how to compromise on this issue, especially now that a majority of Jews have moved in

and around Jerusalem.

Security is an essential point of conflict between Israel and Palestine. Israel is a small

area that has been in war with neighbors, and have been hesitant about accepting the Palestinians

help. If a deal was to occur there would have to be support of Palestinian military as well as a
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Dr. Griffin

supply of weapons. Any successful peace initiative would need to resolve the security issues that

have plagued the peace process.

Settlements are known as groups of Jewish people that have been moving to the West

Bank since 1967. The majority of settlers move for religious motives, and some come for cheap

and subsidized housing. Settlements have made it more different to imagine a Palestinian state

and it is displacing the Palestinians farmland. Settlements tend to be frowned upon, because it is

a major obstruction of peace.

Refugees is a major point of conflict between Israel and Palestine. Many Palestinian

families fled their home in what is now Israel, but Israel is opposed to allowing Palestinians

return to their homes. They are not allowing them to return because they are threatened to

continue a Jewish nation. The major point of this issue is that Palestinians should be allowed the

right to return. There are donors that would be willing to compensate refugees who could not

return to their family homes.

There are two possible ways to resolve this issue which are the two-state solution or the

one-state solution. The one-state solution is the concept of merging Israel, the West Bank, and

Gaza Strip all together. This type of solution is favored by some Palestinians, because it would

outnumber the Jewish people. Some Israelis favor this concept as well, because it would result in

seizing the West Bank and denying Palestinians the right to vote possibly. The two-state solution

would give Israel and Palestine two independent states. This solution would allow each group to

run their countries as a Jewish state and a Palestinian one. This solution seems to be the more

satisfying for the Palestinians and Israelis, because it allows them to be separated.
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Dr. Griffin

It is everyones hope that one day these two groups of people can come to a compromise.

In order for there to be a successful peace plan then there will have be an effort to change the

following such as: settlements, security, Palestinian refugees, Jerusalem, and solutions. So far

there is little success, but maybe one day the two can come to a peaceful harmony.

Role of the United States:

The mass media is the biggest source of international news for us Americans. The film

Peace, Propaganda and the Promised Land was helpful in illustrating of the relationships behind

the scenes about certain events happening in the Middle East. The documentary explains how

media shows images of rioting, but it evades the specific details of the occupation. It also

presents us with the fact that news reports of this conflict of the Gaza Strip and West Bank have

been represented as Israel defending itself rather than the fact that they are aggravating violence

with their actions as well.

It also depicted the business interest of the corporations that own the mass media. It

showed how people have power to influence this mainstream media. These policy makers are

part of the system that is manipulating the corporate interests. Another interesting aspect that was

introduced was the fact that Israeli Government books with a large amount of American PR firms

to grasp for help in this campaign.

This film raises awareness that there are claims of media bias from both sides.

Individuals think that American news media is favoring the Palestinian side, but there are those

that believe that it benefits Israel. American media is a product to keep our attention. It is funded
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by corporations and establishments that want to continually keep our attention. The reality is that

these entities are controlling what we hear and see about this situation.

Signs of Hope:

This endless conflict between these two groups of people who have incompatible goals

seems almost impossible. The current peace plans on the table are the two-state solution and one-

state solution. As a Christian, one may ask, what would Jesus do? The Bible says that God gave

the land to the Jewish people. Many individuals would stop right there and say there is the

solution. My first step to resolving this solution would be getting individuals to look at this

conflict through Catholic lens. There is a peaceful way to resolve this issue, which would be the

one-state solution. This solution would eliminate the hatred by making it a pluralistic state. I

believe this solution will should not make the Jewish community uncomfortable, because

Palestinians are willing to help their brothers and sisters. The Palestinians are not out for

revenge, but for the return of their belongings, memories, and life.

Another sign of hope that would resolve this conflict is a nonviolence approach. This

approach is inspired by words and actions such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Gandi. The

nonviolence approach can put an end to the violence, but both Palestinians and Israelis believe

there would still be struggles. This approach would allow both groups to come together through

peaceful actions.

Many other countries have been active in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Ultimately these

two groups of people are the only ones who can solve it, because it is a religious conflict.

Neighboring countries should be there to help find a resolution, but the less involved the less
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Dr. Griffin

complicated it becomes for a resolution. Unless they can break from the hatred and violence long

enough to make peace, this conflict will linger.

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Dr. Griffin

References
Hanon, J. (Director). (2010). Little town of Bethlehem [Motion picture]. EthnoGraphic Media.

Jhally, S. (Director). (2004). Peace, propaganda, & the promised land [Motion picture]. Media

Education Foundation.

What are Israel and Palestine? Why are they fighting? (2014, March 31). Retrieved November

15, 2015, from http://www.vox.com/cards/israel-palestine/intro