The Effect of Outside Powers on the Arab-Israeli Conflict

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The Effect of Outside Powers on the Arab-Israeli Conflict

The tension in the Middle East is a constant problem; originating from

both historical and religious claims to the area. It is strengthened,

as both parties have convinced themselves that they are right, and are

victims of the other side. Furthermore, it has been fuelled by the

involvement of the Western powers, as well as the stubbornness of the

Middle Eastern powers, not wanting to go the peace talks with the

political incentive to resolve the problems at hand. As the Middle

East is valuable for oil, and trading access (such as the Suez Canal),

outside powers only seem to have their own interests at heart; since

they are so dependant on these factors.

A significant involvement, with the superpowers in 1948, is seen in

the American recognition of the new state of Israel. This involvement,

would have many motives, the US wanted to have an ally, in the area,

in order to be able to have a source of oil, and trade route, with the

Middle East. The involvement will also lead to the area becoming an

extension of the Cold war, where the outside powers help arm either

side, pushing them towards peace from war, rather than peace from

negotiations. The US decided to back Israel, due to the massive Jewish

lobby in America; again showing their own self-interests, rather than

trying to find an ideal solution. Once communism collapsed, and so the

Russian influence in the Middle Easr faded, the US no longer had to

support Israel to maintain its influence; in doing so the Arabs began

a surge of attacks against the Israelis, pushing them further from the

peace talks.

1948 saw some dra...

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...rorism, showing how easily it is to start off violence, even though

both sides are seen to have come to a political end.

Due to the initial involvement of the outside powers, peace through

negotiation I feel is now impossible. The Israelis believe that they

can win through fighting, so they do not have the political will,

during the peace talks. Similarly with the Arabs, as no one seemed to

be consistently backing them, no peace talks were seen to represent

them fairly. Also, by trying to stick to the so-called 'Road Map to

peace' the outside powers have only arose suspicion from the Arab

side, again making it near impossible to create a solution. Peace

talks were impossible as they constantly avoided the initial problem

of land; until this is done so, and supported by an unbiased power,

peace will never be achieved.

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