Introduction to International Politics
Foreign Event Analysis
| Locale | ![[]](http://www.kvasaheim.com/flags/flag15-il.png "Flag of Israel") | Israel |
|---|---|---|
| Title |
Livni’s Election: Implications for the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
| |
| Summary |
Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni was elected the leader of the Kadima party in the primary elections, putting her on the path to succeed Ehud Olmert as the prime minister of Israel. Livni won with only 43.1% of the vote—a mere 1.1% more than Transport Minister Shaul Mofaz. In order to become Israel’s next prime minister, Livni will need to form a coalition government in the coming weeks. Livni seeks to negotiate with the Palestinians towards a two-state resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, while her predecessor continually postpones negotiations. Palestinian Authority officials welcomed Livni’s election while Hamas did not, claiming that she rejects Palestinian rights.
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| Analysis |
Livni’s election is not only landmark because she is on her way to being the second female Prime Minister in Israeli history, but it could also mean a significant transformation in Israeli-Palestinian relations. While current Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Livni’s runner-up Shaul Mofaz both promote postponing negotiations with the Palestinians, Livni supports the commencement of negotiations for a two-state settlement. Such diplomacy may finally revive the process toward a peaceful ending to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that has divided the Middle East. While peace among the Israeli and Palestinian peoples is far off, a diplomatic agreement between the two governments may help achieve such a peace in the future.
From a liberal perspective, an amelioration of relations between Israel and the Palestinians via a diplomatic avenue could lead to increased interdependence of all Middle Eastern countries that have become so divided over the issue of Israel’s sovereignty. If the Palestinians and Israelis agree to peacefully divide the land, trade and political relations could improve between the Middle Eastern countries that currently refuse to recognize Israel such as Syria, Lebanon, and Iran, and countries such as Egypt and Jordan that do recognize Israel.
The Palestinian Authority’s official welcoming of Livni’s election sends a message that they may be willing to negotiate with Israel toward the two-state solution. Increased diplomacy and reciprocity between Israel and the Palestinian Authority will likely mean an increase in positive interactions between them, as explained by the prisoner’s dilemma. Negotiation will promote absolute gains and benefits for both sides. While Palestinian people may support the PA’s negotiations, extremist groups, Hamas in particular, are still a major obstacle to peace. | |
| Perspective |  | Liberal |
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| Submitted | September 18, 2008 at 10:50 am | |
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