What is it about?

The Israeli–Palestinian conflict remains one of the most protracted and violent disputes of the modern era, demanding not short-term fixes but sustained commitment, foresight, and compromise. Building on frameworks such as the Clinton Parameters and the Geneva Accords, this article argues that peace requires a rare alignment of leadership, public support, and international engagement. Demographic realities underscore the urgency: between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean, Jews and Palestinians now live in near-equal numbers. Yet asymmetry persists, with Israel exercising military and political dominance. Gaza presents both the greatest tragedy and the greatest challenge. The October 7, 2023 Hamas attack and subsequent war devastated lives, deepened mistrust, and exposed the failures of divide-and-rule strategies. Rebuilding Gaza, preventing reoccupation, and installing a legitimate Palestinian authority are essential for stability. Innovative proposals—ranging from humanitarian frameworks to artificial islands—highlight the scale of reconstruction and the shared responsibility of Israel, the Palestinian Authority, Arab states, and the wider international community. In the West Bank, preserving the Palestinian Authority, promoting democratic processes, and halting settlement expansion are vital to any negotiated settlement. Polls reveal deep skepticism but also shifting attitudes on both sides, suggesting that opportunities for reconciliation may emerge over time. The road ahead is long and fraught with setbacks, but sustained trust-building, zero tolerance for violence, and international cooperation can pave the way toward a two-state solution and a more peaceful future.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

The conflict affects, for better and worse, the Middle East and beyond

Perspectives

I am a peace activist and scholar

Professor Raphael Cohen-Almagor
Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Read the Original

This page is a summary of: Resolving the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, SSRN Electronic Journal, January 2025, Elsevier,
DOI: 10.2139/ssrn.5549898.
You can read the full text:

Read

Contributors

The following have contributed to this page