Israel-Palestine Conflict in the Middle East - Research Paper Example

? The ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict in the Middle East has been a major global concern since 1948 when Israel had formally come into existence (Cohn Sherbok, et al., n. p.). The crisis had started when number of Jewish refugees from Arab descendants, broadly called Palestinians, had to flee the country. But the Israel-Palestine conflict has become significant because of the role of America and its unconditional support to Israel in its war against its neighbors. Most importantly, the increasing discontent amongst the Americans for their contentious part, particularly the economic aid and defense support has wide ramifications (Stauffer, n. p.). It has not only considerably contributed to the burden of taxpayers but America’s involvement in the Israel’s conflicts with its neighbors has resulted in huge loss vis-a-vis economic, loss of human lives, moral repercussions and dent to its credibility and image in the world’s political economy. The decades of Zionist leaders’ strive for independent homeland for Jews was realized with Israel but it also brought with it hordes of problems, including armed conflicts with its neighboring states (Finkelstein, n. p.). The instability created in the region highlighted Arab consortium’s differences with Israel and raised the pertinent of issue of Palestinians who were made refugees in their own land. Consequently, the unconditional support to Israel and its foreign policy has raised serious doubts on America’s bipartisan role and its moral justification. Israel’s six days’ war against its neighbors: Syria, Egypt and Jordon have resulted in expansion of its territory through its occupation of West Bank and Gaza Strip which was largely populated by the Palestinians (Cohn Sherbock & Alami, n. p.). The war was distinct in its armed supremacy and emergence of America as its prime ally. The main contention of Israel was the security of its people who faced regular threat from the Palestinians and their allies. But killing of hundreds of innocent people by Israeli forces fails to justify America’s support, especially when its support involves huge amount of financial aid at the cost of taxpayers’ money. After the Yom Kippur War against Israel, Camp David Accord was brokered by President Bush which encouraged peaceful negotiations between the warring factions of Jews. Settlement of Palestinians in Gaza strip and West was allowed under Israel’s supervision. The Accord was a total failure as it failed to curb the aggressive combats of Israel against Palestinian camps, killing innocent people, including women and children (YouTube, n. p.). The strong support of America to Israel has given legitimacy to Israel’s armed offences against its neighbors which unabashedly exploits its position. President Obama has asserted that ‘Those who threaten Israel threaten us.…I will ensure that Israel can defend itself from any threat - from Gaza to Tehran.…’ (Obams, n. p.). The continued conflict has become a long term political-religious dilemma for the world bodies. But it has become costly for America because it has adversely impacted its image amongst its citizens, created political enemies and portrays it as anti-Muslim. The interference of America in the regional conflict is increasing being seen as violation of democratic principles and moral abjuration of its duty to promote peace. The continuous conflict situation in the Israel-Palestine relations has disparaged peace efforts and peaceful resolution. The perception of events and ideological conflict has wider ratifications, especially as nuclear capability of Israel and its technological advancement have given it significant boost to its armed conflicts against its neighbors. Hedley’s anarchical society becomes hugely crucial factor in the Israel-Palestine issue as it portrays the ideological differences of individuals that directly clash with the wider interest of the state (Hedley, n. p.). Moreover, power of anarchical society is reflected in the political and military supremacy of the state which justifies its armed conflicts as part of its strategy to protect its people and property from the vested interests which may be internal or external in nature. For Israel, the terrorist activities of the Palestinian organizations pose a danger to the socio-political stability of Israel (Dershowitz, n. p.). To some extent, these factors give moral justification to America’s support of Israel. But they are not sufficient to warrant using force against the so called Palestinian refugees, especially when women and children are involved. Scholars believe that it reflects the hegemony of America and its dubious interests in the regional economy (Green, n. p.; Mearsheimer & Walt, n. p.; Findley, n. p.). Indeed, having Israel as a political ally is strategically beneficial to America as it gives America great opportunity to increase its presence in the region and subtly control oil economy of Middle East. It is worrisome because the consequences of its alliance have extended to its war against the regional economies like Iran and Iraq which have huge oil reserves. Protecting the interests of Israel has been used as a front to intrude in the policy of nations. Syria, Egypt, Iraq, Iran etc. have been major supporter of Palestinian movement and therefore have always been at the target of American forces. They have also made it easy for it to exploit its hidden agenda of oil economy. Iraq war was crucial in its vested interests that facilitated America to gain control of Iraq’s huge oil reserve. Though Iraq owns the oil, multinational firms, largely owned by Americans, control them through strategic partnership in revenue sharing. The Iraq war was critical for many reasons. It not only exposed America’s dubious interests in the Middle East but also showed its crass indifference to the interests of its people (Nagl, n. p.). The thousands of soldiers killed in the name of war highlight deteriorating morals of America and its abject disregard to value human life. Further, the Guantanamo torture of detainees and Abu Ghraib, unlawful detention of civilians and other such cases have exposed human rights violations of American forces and homeland security (Caveleri, n. p.). The worst consequences of America’s role in the Israel-Palestine conflict is increased terrorist activities against it. 9/11 was most awful scenario of terrorism. It not only significantly damaged America’s image as most powerful nation but also showed flaws in its foreign policies which had created unseen enemies in the form of terrorists, especially from Arab world who see American policies as anti-Muslim (9/11 Commission report, n. p.). America continues to spend millions of dollar on its defense strategy and aid to Nations which violate human rights and are responsible for killing of thousands of innocent people across the world. It has direct implications on the welfare of American citizens. Hence, America’s role in international conflicts and its foreign policy needs to be redefined in terms of its changing domestic economy with its escalating cost of living and ethical consideration. (words: 1095) Works Cited Bull, Hedley. The Anarchical Society: A Study of Order in World Politics. New York: Columbia University Press, 1977. Print. Caveleri, David, P. The Law of war: Can 20th Century Standards Apply to the Global War on Terrorism? NY: CreateSpace, 2005. Print. Cohn-Sherbok, Dan, and Alami Dawoud Sudqi El. The Palestine-Israeli Conflict: a Beginner's Guide. Oxford, England: Oneworld Publications, 2008. Print. Dershowitz, Alan, N. Terrorism and Palestinian Statehood. 9 Aug. 2012. Web. 16 Apr. 2013 Findley, Paul. They Dare to Speak Out. Westport, Conn.: Lawrence Hill & Co., 2003. Finkelstein, Norman, G. Image and Reality of the Israel-Palestine Conflict. New York: Verso, 2003. Print. Green, Mark. ed., Persecution, Privilege & Power: Reconsidering the Zionist Narrative in American Life. NY: BookSurge Publishing, 2008. Mearsheimer, John J., & Walt, Stephen M. (2006). The Israel Lobby and US Foreign Policy. London: London Review of Books, 2006. Nagl, John A. What America Learned in Iraq. 19 Mar. 2013. Web. 16 Apr. 2013. Obama Speech at 2008 AIPAC Policy Conference. 4 June 2008. Web. 16 Apr. 2013. < http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=91150432> Stauffer, Thomas R. The Cost to American Taxpayers of the Israel-Palestinian Conflict: $3 trillion. June 2003. Web. 16 Apr. 2013. YouTube. The iron wall to all people of the Holy Land. n.d. web. 16 Apr. 2013. Read More