Abstract

The difficulty in concluding an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement lies in the internal and psychological struggle resulting from decades of debilitating conflict that has left both sides weary about future co-existence. The absence of trust, the prevalent internal political division, and the existence of extremist groups in both communities remain a major obstacle. Moreover, the lack of consistent, active and direct American involvement coupled with ineffectual prodding by Arab states has prevented significant progress in ending the conflict. With the changing political and demographic dynamic between Israel and the Palestinians and the advent of a new American administration, a new government in Israel and Palestine and a renewed push of the Arab Peace Initiative, an Israeli-Palestinian peace can be reached. The question now is will all these forces coalesce to drive for a peace agreement now which has eluded them for decades.

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This essay has been published in various forms by the following journals: 

International Strategic Research Organization (ISRO) - December 2008 

Middle East Policy - Spring 2009