Essay on Middle East Conflict

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Middle East conflict has been an ongoing conflict between the Israel and the surrounding Arab countries. The conflict between Israel and Palestinians has been persistent, threatening and messy for many years. Many lives have been lost and substantial destruction of property has been witnessed.  The history of this conflict can be traced way back to the biblical stories where Palestinians and Israel used to wage war against each other. Religious differences also play a big role in propelling this conflict. For many decades leaders of these countries has unsuccessfully sought to reconcile through settling their differences. International diplomatic interventions to bring peace in Middle East have also not been succeeded. (Milton-Edwards 2006)

Israelis conflicts with Lebanon and Palestine.

Israel conflict with Lebanon and Palestine is part of wider conflict between Israel and Arab. There exist a number of issues which are the main drive to this conflict. These key issues as far as Israel Palestinian conflict is concerned are: borders, mutual recognition, security, Jerusalem control, water rights and the Israeli settlements, refugees’ legality, and Palestinian freedom of movement. The establishment of Israeli state in 1948 saw the heightening of the conflict. Since then, the Palestinian has been fighting for an independent state alongside the Jewish state.  Mutual recognition has also been a key issue. In fact, Palestinian believes that Israel country belongs to them. It was an encroachment to their land which is unacceptable. They believe that Israel should be wiped out. Borders have also been a big issue. The Palestinians believes that Israel settlement is an encroachment against Palestinian territory. To counter such encroachment there has been anti-Semitic incitements where cases of suicide bombing and other terrorism attack have been organized against the Israel settlers. In an effort to revenge, the Israel has been planning and executing military attacks against Palestinian. The result has been anarchy, deaths and furthering of the conflict. The Israel West Bank barrier to protect the Israel is another controversial effort by the Israel.  Palestinian believes that this is an attempt by Israel to take over Palestinian land citing security as the excuse. Political conflict in Palestine also poses a big problem. Some (Fatah) have believed on diplomatic effort as the best way to solve the conflict while others (Hamas) believe that violence will solve the problem. Strive on control of Jerusalem, which has been a center of worship for both sides, is another problem which needs to be solved. Palestinian free movement has also been restrained. Israel has been using check points which many Palestinians are opposed to.  Similarly the conflict between Israel and Lebanon can be traced to the formation of Israel in 1948. The Palestinians refugees in Lebanon owing to the formation of Israel state were organized by Palestinian liberation organization which severally attacked Israel. To protect its territory, Israel has severally invaded Lebanon so as to deal with her enemies hosted by Lebanon. On the other hand Iran has been seeking to wipe out Israel through sponsoring of Hezbollah whose aim was to end Israel invasion in Lebanon. (Finkelstein 2003 p 125; Dowty 2008 p 187-208)

Intervention of the West with the Middle East & Iran’s conflict with the US and other Arab countries

Various international diplomatic interventions have been made to foster peace in Middle East. West countries and USA has been on the forefront in these efforts. The key issues that have been discussed are about the Israel settlements, the construction of west bank barrier, Gaza strip control, military and terrorist attacks by both sides, and other key issues heightening the conflict. Britain has been one of countries from the west which have been on fore front in the West intervention. However, less has been achieved due to hard line views from the Israel and Palestine sides. The conflict between Iran and USA has also greatly influenced Middle East conflict. Iran being a supporter of establishment of Palestinian state and wiping out of Israel State from the world map, has severally supported attacks on Israel. USA on the other hand has continued to offer great support for Israel and peace seeking efforts in Middle East. However poor relationship between USA and Arab countries has continued to tarnish USA reputation among the Palestinians as the right mediator between them and Israel. USA has recently been condemning Iran efforts to make nuclear weapons which are feared to further threaten creation of peace in Middle East.

The way Forward to achieving peace at Middle East

It is clear that there exist key contentious issues which remain to be solved before the population in Middle East starts enjoying a peaceful environment. First there is a need for both sides to accept diplomatic efforts as the only way to ensuring peace. A sovereign Palestine state should be established with well demarcated borders. This will solve the problem of lack of mutual recognition which is one of the key issues associated with the conflict. International diplomatic efforts should be lead by neutral side which is not inclined to Israel or Palestinians. Both side need to relax some of their hard lines view and have an attitude that a compromise is the best option for their people. Forgiving and resisting calls for revenge will work miracle for both side. The UN should come in to help the process towards peace (Quigley 1990; Dowty 2008).

Conclusion

Peace in Middle East is just at the corner if concerned parties attitudes towards each other are changed.  However, the hard line views from both sides may continue to halt peace in this region for many generations as it has been.