Question

Although leaders and citizens have worked for years to build peace between Israel and its neighbors, the process continues today. Write a short paragraph describing the continuing barriers to peace in the Middle East. What obstacles must each group overcome?

Answer 1

Sometime in the mid-1970s the term peace process became widely used to describe the American-led efforts to bring about a negotiated peace between Israel and its neighbors. The phrase stuck, and ever since it has been synonymous with the gradual, step-by-step approach to resolving one of the world's most difficult conflicts. In the years since 1967 the emphasis in Washington has shifted from the spelling out of the ingredients of "peace" to the "process" of getting there. … Much of US constitutional theory focuses on how issues should be resolved – the process – rather than on substance – what should be done. … The United States has provided both a sense of direction and a mechanism. That, at its best, is what the peace process has been about. At worst, it has been little more than a slogan used to mask the marking of time.[2]

Answer 2

There are several reasons why the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been so difficult to resolve. One of the continuing barriers to resolution is the fact that Jerusalem is an important holy site for three large religions: Islam, Judaism and Christianity. The status of the city, therefore, has been greatly disputed. Another important reason for the long-lasting conflict is the fact that international opinion remains divided. Although most countries in the world accept that Israel is illegally occupying Palestinian territory (particularly the West Bank and the Gaza Strip), some countries have been particularly supportive of Israeli foreign policy, such as the United States and Russia.

Both countries have obstacles to overcome if a resolution is to be reached. Palestinians continue to struggle to reach political stability, and they will need to overcome the obstacle of religious extremism. On the other hand, Israel will need to be more receptive to international advice and criticism.