Benue State University, Makurdi

Asymmetrical Dynamics in the Israeli – Palestinian Peace Process: Who Determines What States, Why and How?

ONYEMAECHI Augustine Eke.^*
EKWONNA, Sampson I.^*

Abstract

The age-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict has raised global security concerns and attracted solution trajectories which emphasized two-state solution and ignored policy framework towards “one-state” solution, especially based on the new dynamics in the aftermath of U.S. declaration of Jerusalem as the capital city of Israel. The U.S. declaration introduced unequal relationship between Israel and the Palestinian Authority at the Washington peace negotiations. Consequently, the Palestinian Authority protested that the U.S. acted in self-interest based on her historical relationship with Israel rather than for peace and security in the Middle East and the world. The Palestinian Authority withdrew from direct negotiation with Israel and questioned U.S. moral ground to act as an 'honest broker' in packaging a new peace plan. As a reprisal, the U.S. cut all aid to Palestine, except some $42 million for security cooperation, and closed down Palestinian Liberation Organization liaison office in Washington. Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas reacted and cut off security cooperation with the U.S. Israeli-Palestinian relationship demonstrates that where parties play it dirty, morality is hardly the option. The objective of this paper is to analyze the opportunities and challenges in the Israeli-Palestinian two-state, one-state and no-state solution within the rubrics of global realpolitik of asymmetrical relationship between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. The specific aim is to recommend policy solution for enduring peace and stability in the Middle East region and the world at large.

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