The Bigger Half of the Problem Shaping the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

What makes the pursuit of a just solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict almost impossible is the role being played by the US. This is the bigger half of the problem shaping the conflict. Having a bigger half may sound like an oxymoron, but indeed the agenda, design and maneuvers of the US are the biggest obstacles to peace in Palestine, in particular, and the Middle East, in general.

BY BENJIE OLIVEROS
ANALYSIS
Bulatlat

Israel declared a ceasefire last Sunday January 18. It pulled out its troops in time for the inauguration of US Pres. Barack Obama. Hamas likewise declared a ceasefire a day after Israel did. However, the ceasefire is unstable as Israel warned that it would not hesitate to launch another offensive if Hamas fires rockets towards Israel again. Hamas also said that it would not hesitate to continue its attacks on Israel if the latter does not completely withdraw from the Gaza Strip or moves in again.

The roots of the conflict are far from being resolved. Israel has vowed to liquidate the Hamas government and worse, it does not recognize the existence of the Palestinian people, calling it a myth created by the Arabs. Hamas likewise does not recognize the state of Israel. Tensions also do not abate because of Israel’s iron fist rule at Gaza Strip and West Bank resulting in numerous human rights violations; its practice of hemming in Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip and West Bank has become a daily source of tensions. The 700-km. long, five-meter high West Bank barrier is a testimony to Israel’s policy in Palestine.

The unresolved conflicts and diametrically opposed positions, the daily occurrence of human rights violations committed by Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the injustices being committed with impunity, and the fact that in creating the state of Israel, Palestinian Arabs were evicted from their lands, make the pursuit of peace based on justice very difficult. But this is just half of the problem.

What makes the pursuit of a just solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict almost impossible is the role being played by the US. This is the bigger half of the problem shaping the conflict. Having a bigger half may sound like an oxymoron, but indeed the agenda, design and maneuvers of the US are the biggest obstacles to peace in Palestine, in particular, and the Middle East, in general.

US and Israel “special relations”

The US arms and stokes Israel’s aggression.

Israel is the biggest recipient of US foreign aid: $2.1 billion in military financing, and $600 million in economic aid per year. It receives one-third of the total Economic Security Funds being given by the US globally. When Israel signed the Wye River Agreement with Jordan, it received an additional $1.2 billion in military aid.

Israel is the only country being allowed by the US to use 27 percent of the Foreign Military Financing it provides on Israel’s own indigenous arms production. Israel also benefits from offsets given by US arms manufacturers in exchange for deals involving co-production of weapons, transfer of technology and other non-military related investments. For example, Lockheed Martin agreed to invest $900 million in Israel to secure a $2.5 billion F-16 sale. Boeing likewise agreed to invest $750 million in exchange for the purchase by Israel of F-151 fighter and Black Hawk helicopters.

The US and Israel cooperates on military research and development, and shares advanced technology. Their partnership resulted in the development of 200+ nuclear bombs at Israel’s Dinoma plant.

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