Israel’s Other Intractable Conflict
2Digest
This episode of the New Yorker Radio Hour delves into the complexities of the Israeli occupation of the West Bank, examining its historical roots, its impact on Palestinian life, and the challenges of achieving a peaceful resolution. The episode begins by highlighting the physical barriers and restrictions imposed on Palestinians, including checkpoints, roadblocks, and the separation barrier, which create stark disparities in travel times and access to resources between Israelis and Palestinians. The episode then explores the history of the occupation, starting with the Six Day War in 1967 and the subsequent expansion of Israeli settlements on Palestinian land. The episode features interviews with Nathan Thrall, author of "A Day in the Life of Abid Salama," and Raja Shahadeh, a Palestinian lawyer and author, who provide insights into the emotional and political dimensions of the occupation. Thrall discusses the human cost of the system and the bureaucratic complexities that make it difficult to understand, while Shahadeh explores the Israeli government's desire to annex the West Bank and the implications of such a move, arguing that it would lead to a system of apartheid. The episode also examines the question of what Israel fears from Palestine, with Shahadeh arguing that the mere existence and recognition of a Palestinian nation is a threat to Israel's foundational myth. The episode concludes with a discussion about the need for mutual recognition between Israelis and Palestinians, highlighting the challenges of achieving peace in the face of deeply entrenched narratives and religious justifications for conflict.
Outlines
The Israeli Occupation of the West Bank
This episode of the New Yorker Radio Hour focuses on the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and its impact on Palestinian life.
The Architecture of Occupation
The episode begins with a discussion about the physical barriers and restrictions imposed on Palestinians in the West Bank, highlighting the stark contrast in travel times between Israelis and Palestinians.
The History of the Occupation
The episode delves into the history of the Israeli occupation, starting with the Six Day War in 1967 and the subsequent expansion of Israeli settlements on Palestinian land.
The Human Cost of Occupation
The episode explores the emotional and political dimensions of the occupation, emphasizing the human cost of the system and the bureaucratic complexities that make it difficult to understand.
The Future of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
The episode discusses the potential impact of the US presidential election on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the future of Israeli politics, and the viability of the one-state solution.
Keywords
West Bank
The West Bank is a territory located between Israel and Jordan, occupied by Israel since the Six Day War in 1967. It is home to a significant Palestinian population and is a major point of contention in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Israeli Occupation
The Israeli occupation of the West Bank refers to the ongoing control and administration of the territory by Israel since 1967. It is characterized by restrictions on Palestinian movement, the expansion of Israeli settlements, and the denial of Palestinian self-determination.
Settlements
Israeli settlements are communities of Israeli Jews established in the West Bank, considered illegal under international law. They are a major source of tension in the conflict, as they expand into Palestinian land and limit Palestinian autonomy.
Two-State Solution
The two-state solution is a proposed resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that envisions the creation of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel. It is widely supported by the international community but faces significant obstacles, including the expansion of Israeli settlements and the lack of political will on both sides.
Nakba
The Nakba, meaning "catastrophe" in Arabic, refers to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from their homes during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. It is a defining event in Palestinian history and continues to shape Palestinian identity and aspirations.
Hamas
Hamas is a Palestinian Islamist political and militant organization that controls the Gaza Strip. It is considered a terrorist organization by Israel and the United States, and its actions have contributed to the ongoing conflict.
International Criminal Court (ICC)
The ICC is an intergovernmental organization that investigates and prosecutes individuals accused of the most serious crimes of concern to the international community, including genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression.
International Court of Justice (ICJ)
The ICJ is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. It settles legal disputes between states and gives advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by UN organs and specialized agencies.
One-State Solution
The one-state solution is a proposed resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that envisions a single state encompassing both Israel and the Palestinian territories. It is a controversial proposal, with supporters arguing that it is the only way to achieve true equality and opponents arguing that it would lead to the disenfranchisement of Palestinians.
Q&A
What are some of the physical barriers and restrictions imposed on Palestinians in the West Bank?
Palestinians in the West Bank face a complex system of checkpoints, roadblocks, and separation barriers that restrict their movement and access to resources. This includes the separation barrier that runs through Jerusalem, dividing Palestinian communities and limiting their access to services.
What is the history of the Israeli occupation of the West Bank?
The Israeli occupation began after the Six Day War in 1967, when Israel seized control of the West Bank and Gaza. Since then, Israel has expanded its settlements on Palestinian land, leading to increased tensions and a shrinking of Palestinian autonomy.
What is the significance of the Greater Jerusalem area in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?
The Greater Jerusalem area is considered the heart of the Israeli settlement project, with the goal of preventing a Palestinian capital in Jerusalem and severing East Jerusalem from the rest of the West Bank. This area is also home to a large concentration of Israeli settlers, making it difficult to imagine their removal.
What are the implications of Israel annexing the West Bank?
Annexation of the West Bank would mean that Israel would control the land but not the people, leading to a system of apartheid where Palestinians would live under different laws than Israeli settlers. This would further entrench the existing inequalities and make a peaceful solution even more difficult.
What does Israel fear from Palestine?
According to Raja Shahadeh, Israel fears the mere existence and recognition of a Palestinian nation, as it would threaten the foundational myth of Israel as a Jewish state and require a revision of its history.
How has the October 7th attack changed Palestinian sentiment?
The October 7th attack has led to a shift in Palestinian sentiment towards Hamas leader Yaya Sinwar, who is now seen as a hero for his role in the attack, despite the bloodshed. This reflects a growing frustration with the Palestinian Authority's inability to achieve progress and a desire for more forceful action against Israel.
What is the potential impact of the US presidential election on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?
A Trump presidency could worsen the situation by giving Israel a green light to take more aggressive actions in Gaza, while a Democrat in office is unlikely to bring significant changes. However, a Democrat could potentially increase sanctions on violent settlers and settlement organizations, which could have a positive impact.
What is the future of Israeli politics in the context of the conflict?
Shahadeh argues that Israeli politics is doomed to failure due to the increasing power of the religious right-wing, which will lead Israel into fascism and racism, ultimately resulting in a cycle of perpetual war. He believes that the only way for Israel to avoid this fate is to end the occupation and make peace with the Palestinians.
What is the one-state solution, and is it a viable option?
The one-state solution proposes a single state encompassing both Israel and the Palestinian territories. Shahadeh believes that it is not a viable option in the immediate future and could lead to disaster, but that it could be a possibility after many years of preparation and a two-state solution.
What is the need for mutual recognition between Israelis and Palestinians?
Mutual recognition between Israelis and Palestinians is essential for achieving peace, as it would acknowledge the legitimacy of both peoples and nations. However, this is a significant challenge, as both sides have deeply entrenched narratives and religious justifications for conflict that make it difficult to accept the other's right to exist.
Show Notes
Israel has occupied the West Bank of the Jordan River since 1967, after the third Arab-Israeli war, and ever since Israelis have settled on more and more of this contested land. Violence by armed settlers against their Palestinian neighbors has increased dramatically in recent years, as a far-right government came to dominate Israeli politics. Unless things change, the American journalist Nathan Thrall tells David Remnick, the future for Palestinians is “not unlike that of the Native Americans.” Thrall won a Pulitzer Prize for his book “A Day in the Life of Abed Salama,” which uses one isolated incident—a road accident in the West Bank—to illustrate the ways in which life under occupation has become nearly unlivable for Palestinians. On July 19th, the United Nations’ International Court of Justice issued an advisory ruling that the occupation violates international law. While the world’s attention is focussed on the devastating war in Gaza, and the escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, the occupation of the West Bank remains a fundamental challenge for any peaceful resolution.
Remnick also speaks with the Palestinian lawyer and author Raja Shehadeh, a longtime advocate for peace with Israel who lives in Ramallah. Palestinians “are, in a sense, living under a different law than the law of the settlements. And so the settlers are going to be part of Israel, and the laws of Israel apply to them—and that's annexation—but not to us. There will be two communities living side by side, each subject to different laws, and that’s entirely apartheid.” Shehadeh’s new book is titled “What Does Israel Fear from Palestine?” He argues that, as much as a concern for their security, many Israelis refuse to contemplate a two-state solution because recognizing Palestinians’ claims to nationhood challenges Israel’s national story. Although Thrall believes that any false hope about an end to the conflict is damaging, he acknowledges that U.S. sanctions on violent settlers is a meaningful step, and Shehadeh sees the I.C.J.’s ruling as a new degree of global pressure. “That could bring about the end of the era of impunity of Israel,” Shehadeh believes. “And that can make a big difference.”
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