This paper critically reviews Laetitia Bucaille's book "Growing Up Palestinian", which focuses on the complexity of social change among the Palestinian population.
Abstract The paper critically analyzes Bucaille's text "Growing Up Palestinian", which explores the social fault lines within Palestinian society. Using Bucaille's book as a basis, the paper argues that these fault lines have not only been exacerbated but, to a great extent, created by the instrumentality of the Israeli occupation; a process that has been reinforced by the inadequacies of the emerging Palestinian governance since the 1990s. The paper shows how these fault lines have not only fragmented Palestinian society, but critically weakened it in the face of a range of challenges over the past decade.
From the Paper "In her book Growing Up Palestinian, French journalist and academic Laetitia Bucaille describes the impact of the Israeli Occupation, the two Intifadas, and the emerging Palestinian governance structures in the 1990s upon a generation of young Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. Given the nature of her subject, this text cannot truly be considered a general analysis of Palestinian society as a whole. For example, one significant gap in her text is its lack of direct treatment of young Islamists and members of Hamas; an increasingly influential portion of the Palestinian population. This being said, even with the text's focus upon more secular young Palestinians we can understand the complexity of social change among the Palestinian population over the past two decades."
Tags: Gaza, West, Bank, Hamas, Intifada, suicide, bombers, Palestinian, Authority, Israel
A discussion on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, from a Palestinian perspective, focusing on a string of historical events leading up to the current political situation.
Abstract The following paper examines several issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, such as the Suez Canal crises, the Balfour Declaration, the Yom Kippur War and the Six Day War. The writer discusses the events that lead to the major unresolved issues that remain today in Israel, namely the status of Jerusalem; the future of Israeli settlements; and the rights of Palestine refugees. This paper is written by a pro-Palestinian supporter.
From the Paper "In 1994, Israel withdrew from the Gaza Strip and Jericho, ending 27 years of occupation. A Palestinian police force replaced them. In 1995, then a Jewish extremist assassinated Israeli Prime Minister, Yitzhak Rabin, who had been involved in the latest peace processes.
In April 1996, Israeli forces bombed Lebanon for 17 days, with Hezbollah retaliating by firing upon populated areas of Northern Israel. Israel also bombed a UN shelter, killing about 100 out of 800 civilians sheltering there. The UN claimed it was intentional. In 1998, the Wye River Memorandum planned Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank but Israel suspended it in 1999 due to internal disagreements on its implementation."
Abstract This paper examines Israel and its making by taking a close look at the historical events leading up to the nation's independence and then examines those same historical events thereby explaining the reasons Palestinians were "left behind".
From the Paper "In its most immediate manifestation, there may be a great deal of support for the idea that the Jewish state of Israel, established in 1948, was sparked by a newfound international sympathy for the Jewish situation. The Holocaust, that resulted in the slaughter of some six million Jews, and the torture and degradation of countless others, appeared to be the culmination to millennia of Semitic discrimination, deportation and murder. And as concentration camp liberation throughout Eastern Europe exposed the abhorrent realities executed upon the Jews to the rest of the world, President Truman and imperially inclined British authorities alike were corralled into a position of necessary empathy. But it was certainly not by way of global ingratiation alone that the Jews were able to gain a foothold on their fate as a proposed nation. The seeds for 1948's declaration of Israeli independence were planted and fertilized many years prior and, likewise, a tendency toward Palestinian disenfranchisement finds it roots in an approach adopted in the early part of the twentieth century."
Abstract This paper attempts to understand the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from the perspective of cultural similarities and differences between the two peoples. The author begins by providing a definition of culture, and then offers a thorough analysis of the various cultural attributes of both groups -- from religion to power to territorialism. The paper concludes with a section entitled "Is Peace Possible?", which looks at this perennial question from the unusual perspective of the cultural impediments to peace, rather than the political ones.
Introduction: What is Culture?
Why Israel and Palestine are Like Each Other and Dislike Each Other
Territorialism
Religious Differences
Influence of United States and Europe
Dissimilar Values
Money
Power
Different Governments - Different People
Is Peace Possible?
From the Paper "Traditionally the word culture is used to define people who share a certain set of values. These values may include similar national character, a particular geo-political heritage, or a state sanctioned religion. The article, "The Man in the Baghdad Cafe" goes on to say that in many cases people define themselves by a very small number of shared values rather than the cultural larger set that are said to be shared by Europeans or Asians or residents of the Middle East. In Europe, more people identify with their geographical territory such as Germany or France or England than they do either with national character or religion (Protestant work ethic)."
Abstract The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been one of the most divisive contests in the history of the Middle East. Unfortunately, Israel has been a hub of violence since its inception in 1948. This paper examines the history of the conflict and debates how best to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Outline
Israel Should Withdraw from Palestinian Territories
Israel Must Reoccupy Palestinian Territories
Creating a Palestinian State Could Resolve the Israeli- Palestinian Conflict
Creating a Palestinian State Would Not Resolve the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Palestinians Must Fight for Equal Rights
Palestinians Must Reject Terrorism as a Weapon of War
Economic Development Can Facilitate Peace Between Israelis and Palestinians
From the Paper "President George W. Bush has referred to the "legitimate aspirations" of the Palestinian people for an independent state. But people who embrace suicide bombings and choose career killers as their leaders--as the Palestinians have done--have no legitimate political aspirations. Writer William F. Buckley, for all of his many faults, is credited with a turn of phrase that eloquently captures this fact. Speaking about an African country's desire for independence, he quipped, "They'll be ready for democracy when they stop eating each other." Although he was referring to the practice of literal cannibalism, the same thing applies metaphorically to the Palestinians. They can be trusted with a representative government only when they stop worshipping murderers."
Tags: intifada, west, bank, gaza, fatah, hamas, terrorism
Abstract This paper closely examines the history textbooks used by Israeli and Palestinian students and how they respectively portray history in order to determine if the textbook's portrayal of history influences the peace process. The paper focuses on the Israeli perspective vs. the Palestinian perspective of the Independence War that is presented in an Israeli and a Palestinian history textbook that is used by grade ten students. The paper also relates the contents of an interview with a Palestinian and an Israeli student to determine the emphasis of their history class. The paper therefore provides evidence that textbooks are used in the Israeli and Palestinian education system as political tools to develop a wounded identity and make the reconciliation process difficult and almost unachievable.
Outline:
Abstract
Introduction
Words as Tools of the Wounded Identity
The Significance of Language in the Israeli Palestinian Conflict
The Wounded Identity; How it is Created Out of the Ideology of Antagonism
The Independence War Israeli Perspective vs. Palestinian Perspective
Reasons that Lead the Arab troops to Lose the War with Israel
The Refugee Issue
An Interview with a Palestinian and an Israeli student
When Everything Comes Together
Conclusion
From the Paper "In the past century the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been one of the most difficult conflicts on the globe. The continuing fight over the right to live safely on the same land drove people to actions that would be defined as madness rather than anything else. Since the beginning of 1991, well-planned processes have been formulated in order to establish peace between these nations. Numerous debates and meetings took place; discussion and planning, the creation of two autonomous states. Over the following nine years, a large percentage of both the Israeli and the Palestinian citizens believed in the successes of the process. Unfortunately, starting in 2000 the situation became the worse. The 21th century brought Hamas to the Palestinian government. This development forecasted an entirely new period in the lives of both Israelis and Palestinians. In history this time is going to be referred to as the Intifada period. In Israel and Palestine many are going to remember it as an era of blood shedding and collective madness."
Tags: Jews, Arabs, reconciliation, violence, antagonism, Independence, War, refugees
Abstract This paper argues that the rights of the Palestinians as a people have been grossly violated with the establishment and subsequent expansion of the state of Israel. It argues that the establishment of a separate, independent Palestinian state is the only solution that might implement permanent peace in this long standing conflict.
Paper Outline
Introduction
Background
The Argument for a Separate Palestinian Land
The Argument Against a Palestinian State
The Counter Claim: A Response to the Allegations against Palestinians Conclusion
References
From the Paper "The religious claims of the Jews can be considered to be void if we look at the fact that Jerusalem is also a sacred place for the Muslims. In Six hundred AD, Muslim armies moved in from Arabia and conquered Palestine. Muslim influence and power has remained in the area for a long time and they have allowed the Jews and the Christians to exist peacefully in the country. The Muslims also came to regard Jerusalem as their holy city because Prophet Mohammed was believed to have ascended to heaven from this very place. The sacred mosque of al-Aqsa was built on the place, which is regarded as the site of the Jewish temples. The area later came under the Ottoman Empire and subsequent reorganization after the war with Napoleon saw the return of the Jews to Jerusalem. [Isseroff, 2002]. Hence the religious importance of the place stands on a neutral footing."
Tags: United, Nations, Arab, Jerusalem, terrorism, human, rights
This in-depth paper analyzes Israel's security policies as well as the ongoing controversial debate regarding the building of the security fence which would separate Israel from the Palestinians.
Abstract This well-researched paper examines the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, while focusing on the various events that led to the decision to construct a security wall that would separate the two nations. This paper discusses Israel's implementation of "Operation Defensive Wall", which came about in 2002 in response to a suicide bombing in which 28 Israelis were killed by Palestinian terrorists that infiltrated Israel's borders. This in-depth paper analyzes Israel's history from its birth as a state in 1948 to the present as well as the country's continuous battle to survive amidst hostile Arab neighbors such as Syria. The writer of this paper contends that there are various options to maintaining a lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians which do not include the security fence. One option would be to offer financial incentives to the Palestinians while another would be for Israel to withdraw to the pre-1967 borders. This paper discusses the pros and cons involved in Israel returning occupied land to the Palestinians in hopes for peace and lasting security.
From the Paper "Since the end of formal hostilities in 1973, the attacks on Israel from its hostile neighbors have been replaced by shadowy groups that rely more on terror tactics than infantry and tanks. First the PLO, which led to Israel's invasion of Southern Lebenon in 1982 and subsequently Hizbollah, which was formed in 1983, and Hamas in 1988. Both of these groups had, as their stated intention, the murder of every Jew and the destruction of the state of Israel and its allies. It was after twenty years of these terrorist tactics, and the lives of hundreds of innocent Israelis, that Israel began to consider building a fence around its borders. It would be almost another ten years before it finally implemented this tactic. Israel's decision to build a wall separating itself from external threats has become a controversial one. Seen within Israel as the best chance to reduce or eliminate terrorism, and solidify the border between the Jewish state and the Palestinian state, it is viewed by much of the outside world as a symbol of oppression."
Tags: middle, east, security, wall, plo, arab, jews, conflict, government, political, palestinian, terror
Abstract This paper presents a history of the Arab-Israeli conflict from the time of the creation of Israel and discusses issues of Zionism versus Pan-Arabism. It describes the establishment of Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories and outlines the background of the "Right of Return" in practice and law. The United Nations resolutions regarding the Palestinian "Right of Return" are examined. The paper also covers the individual "Right of Return" for Palestinians in international law and the right of self-determination of Palestinians in international law.
From the Paper "The UN General Assembly agreed to a plan November 29, 1947 for the division of Arab lands into the three parts of Israel Palestine and an internationally-administered zone that centered round Jerusalem. "This plan formed the basis for the declaration of the state of Israel on May 14, 1948". (The History of the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict) Angered over the loss of Arab lands in the formation of the Israeli state, a combined force of Arab states invaded Israel leading to a war. The consequences of the war were disastrous for the Arabs. Israel annexed more land than was provided to them by the United Nations and many of the Palestinian Arabs were displaced rendering them homeless. This war officially ended in January 1949, but the peace was short lived due to the mutual suspicions and sense of betrayal by the Arabs."
This paper analyzes the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict while focusing primarily on the issue of who is rightfully entitled to the parcel of land known as the Gaza Strip.
Abstract This paper details the history of both the Palestinian and the Israeli nations and their ongoing battle for land ownership, which dates back to the Christian era and the reign of King Herod of Nazareth. This paper examines the various reasons behind the years of unrest between Israel and its Arab neighbors. This paper discusses the events that led to the 2005 Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. The writer of this paper discusses the current situation in Israel amidst the constant unrest between its own citizens and the Palestinians. This paper touches on both the Palestinian and Israeli political parties presently leading both nations while supplying an abundance of historical facts and dates relevant to this particular topic. This paper also analyzes the views and opinions of several Middle East experts regarding a possible long-lasting and real peace between the Palestinians and the Israelis.
From the Paper "A number of suggestions have been made on how to turn the tide and move forward on a positive note. Rabbi Michael Lerner, co-founder and editor of "Tikkun Magazine" and co-chair of the Tikkun Community, an international organization committed to reconciliation, sees the Geneva Accord as a ray of hope. Yet the implementation cannot follow models of the past where the emphasis was placed on politics rather than "a real contribution to healing our planet" (127). He notes that peace is a spiritual process that requires not only formal agreements but a change in consciousness where human beings see themselves as fundamentally interconnected. Such an approach is critical for Jews, Christians and Muslims to understand, since religious beliefs and cultural identities have long divided them."
Abstract This paper examines the future of the Palestinian refugees. It looks at Middle Eastern political issues surrounding the future of these people and the right of return and the founding of a Palestinian state. The paper give an historical overview of the Palestinian struggle.
From the Paper "A forceful argument is finally under way regarding the future of the millions of Palestinian refugees fading away in congested camps. The Israelis have overlooked the refugee problem for decades; the brawl of revisits also seemed to fade away from Palestinian political dialogue and after the endorsement of the Oslo agreements (even as it remained of fundamental worry for the refugees themselves)."
Tags: palestine, middle, east, israel, jordan, syria, lebanon, gaza, strip, human, rights, israeli, 1948, west, bank, immigrant, olso, arab
Abstract This paper discusses the conflict between the Palestinians and the Israeli government in the light of Gene Sharp's power theory, which if utilized to its full extent, could lead to peace in the region. The Palestinians attack Israel to get back their lost and conquered homeland. The powerful Israeli government defends itself but kills a lot of Palestinians in the process. No one uses non-violence to cease conflict.
Abstract The paper explains that the current Israeli government's position regarding Israeli/Palestinian violence violence over the past few months continues to be based upon Israel's determination to punish Hamas terrorists who carry out attacks on Israel and to target for assassination Hamas leaders who advocate and support such attacks. The paper discusses how this policy has been controversial, has been condemned as state-sponsored terrorism by many Palestinians and presents even more dilemmas for the new Israeli government now that Hamas has won the recent elections and controls the Palestinian government.
Abstract The paper demonstrates the culpability of Palestinian educators in creating a climate that is intolerant, contemptuous of civil debate and which openly seeks the destruction of the Jewish state. The paper discusses what can be done to change the course of Palestinian education. The paper concludes that if Palestine can be prevailed upon to produce textbooks emphasizing basic numeracy and literacy instead of revenge, there is hope that the future of the Middle East can be less bloody than its past.
From the Paper "To begin with, it is worth noting that Palestinians have been using Jordanian and Egyptian curricula and textbooks since the early 1950s. In light of the fact that Egypt has been a pretty virulent enemy of Israel for decades, it may be said that someone else's hatred not only found its way into Palestinian textbooks but actually complemented and amplified the antipathy Palestinians already felt towards Israel. In any case, Dr. Sami Adwan of Bethlehem University also writes that the aforementioned textbooks were subject to "complete censorship" by the Israeli military governor in the years between 1967 and 1993. Even when this state of affairs was modified in the 1990s, Adwan - who is Palestinian - writes that the Israelis continue to restrict the freedom of Palestinian students and teachers to move where they wish - and that the production of a new wave of Palestinian textbooks since the dawn of this decade has been done against a backdrop of violence and hopelessness."
Abstract This paper presents a detailed examination of the ways military powers, policies and other elements have affected the city of Jerusalem. The writer details several elements of military impact on the city and illustrates the way it changes the city and the urban policy within the city. The author gives a historical overview of the sequence of events from 1917 up till today that led to the situation in Jerusalem today. It details the history of both sides- the Palestinians and the Israelis. The paper gives the historical background of the Palestinian resistance as well as the history of the establishment of the State of Israel. It also gives a detailed account of The Peace Process and the events that led up to it. It also gives a religious overview, referring to the three major religions and their connection to Jerusalem.
From the Paper "As the world watched in horror on September 11 the United States was attacked. We were disgusted, we were frightened and we were angered beyond control. This sort of thing just isn?t supposed to happen here. It also provided a wake up call to the plight of other nations who undergo violent attacks on a regular basis. The city of Jerusalem is an illustrative example of what can happen when both sides are willing to give up and neither side can really win. We have watched for decades as the factions in Jerusalem continue to fight and at this point it appears it may never end. The military, its actions and the policy that has been shaped by it have had an undeniable impact on the city of Jerusalem."
Tags: Jerusalem, September, 11, military, Israel, Arabs, Palestinian, conflict, United, States
