Business as usual, Bloodshed or Boycott? The Palestinian-Israeli Conflict in the Post Peace Process Era

Description

Two decades after the onset of the Oslo Accords prospects for a just and lasting two-statesolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on the basis of the internationally recognized borders of 1967 are worse than ever. Israeli settlement construction in the occupied Palestinian territories is proceeding at a steady pace leaving behind nothing but fragmented enclaves of Palestinian presence in the West Bank. Lacking international backing in the peaceful confrontation with its much more powerful occupier, the Palestinian leadership finds itself trapped in a political dead-end. The deteriorating situation on the ground and loss of hope for independence bear an enormous potential for violent escalation. If peace is to prevail, the international community will have to move swift and resolute to revive the perspective of a two-state-solution. Words will not be enough to bring about change; concrete action is needed to pressure the Israeli government dominated by right wing forces to comply with Palestinian rights and interests. This is not meant to harm Israel; rather a two-state-solution is the only scenario to save Israel from eventually losing its democratic character which would lead to increasing international isolation.