Ethno Nationalist Terrorism - Essay Example

Palestinian-Israeli Conflict: Ethno-Nationalist Terrorism Political Issues and Main Parties Involved There are two major political issues woven into the fabric of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as follows – recognition of Palestinian right to self-determination and an independent state (Chandler, 2005), hence the problem of the Palestinian refugees, and the long-lasting dispute over Israeli statehood in the region (Gelvin, 2014). Additionally, the power struggle between a number of Palestinian groups, like Fatah, Hamas, PLO, etc.

, denotes another dimension within the former frame (Chandler, 2005). Thus, the following key players in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict are identified – Hamas, Fatah, PLO’s executive leadership, Hezbollah, Iran, as well as Iran, Syria, Turkey, and Israel. Sources of Violence The main Palestine groups employing terrorism as a means of achieving their goals and strategic objectives in the region currently include Hamas, most notably its military wing – Al-Qassam Brigades – and Fatah’s Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades.

The Israeli Government counter-terrorist organizational framework includes the Israeli Police, ISA, Mossad and IDF (Ganor 2005). International human rights organizations, like Amnesty International for instance, blame IDF for a number of war crimes and violations of human rights during their offensives in the Gaza Strip (Amnesty International, 2015). Types and Targets of TerrorismInasmuch as the primary method of attacks employed by Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups is rocket-firing mainly into Israel, the range of targets is vast, including civilians, army and police personnel as well as infrastructure and build environment.

According to IDF, civilian and public buildings, including schools and hospitals are used by Hamas as command centers and/or weapons depots (Amnesty International, 2015). Being aimed at the achievement of the main political goals, these attacks are commonly associated with the Palestinian grievances and discontent (see Oberschall, 2004).Conflict Resolution A significant attempt at conflict resolution, besides the peace treaties between Israel and Egypt in 1979, and Israel and Jordan in1994, was the so-called Oslo Accord (Gelvin, 2014).

Despite the transfer of control over the Gaza Strip and West Bank to autonomous Palestinian rule, thus being considered an unprecedented breakthrough, the Oslo Accord failed to achieve both the fundamental goal of permanently appeasing the region and creating an independent Palestinian state (Selby, 2003). As Oberschall (2004) points out, denying political opportunity, safe bases for terrorist operations, and alleviation of poverty and socio-economic inequities would eventually inhibit the conflict.

ReferencesAmnesty International (2015). Israel and Occupied Palestinian Territories: Amnesty International Report 2014/15, Retrieved from < https://www.amnesty.org/en/countries/middle-east-and-north-africa/israel-and-occupied-palestinian-territories/report-israel-and-occupied-palestinian-territories/Chandler, J. (2005). The Explanatory Value of Social Movement Theory. Strategic Insights, IV (5)Ganor, B. (2005). The Counter-Terrorism Puzzle: A Guide for Decision Makers, Piscataway, New Jersey: Transaction PublishersGelvin, James L. (2014). The Israel-Palestine Conflict: One Hundred years of War. 3rd ed. New York: Cambridge University PressOberschall, A. (2004). Explaining Terrorism: The Contribution of Collective action Theory.

Sociological Theory, 22 (1), 26-37Selby, J., (2003). Water, Power and Politics in the Middle East: The Other Israel-Palestine Conflict. New York: I.B.Tauris