Keywords
Israel-Palestine conflict, Apartheid, Human rights, Political implications, Western politics.
Abstract
The Israel-Palestine conflict has been ongoing for more than 75 years and has many historical, geographical, religious, and ethnic components. Despite several attempts at resolution, the war persists, resulting in continued violence, human misery, and regional instability. This study dives into the highly contentious dispute over labelling Israel as an apartheid state, a subject that has prompted heated debate in academic literature, college campuses, the media, and diplomacy. Using a wide range of scholarly literature and trustworthy news sources, we investigate the origins of the war, important historical events, and the numerous factors that have shaped the current conflict. Beginning with an overview of the conflict's history, we trace its origins to the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, highlighting key events such as the Balfour Declaration of 1917 and the United Nations partition plan of 1947. We also look at how the term "apartheid" came to be associated with the Israel-Palestine conflict, its historical roots, and how it was used to criticize Israel's practices towards Palestinians. Through a thorough analysis of the literature, we examine many perspectives on the conflict, including arguments for and against labelling Israel as an apartheid state. We critically interact with the perspectives of diverse scholars, activists, politicians, and human rights organizations, considering the consequences of changing language and shifting conceptions of the conflict.
Primary Advisor
T. P. Najem
Program Reader
R. Amore
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
Political Science
Document Type
Major Research Paper
Convocation Year
2024
Included in
American Politics Commons, Comparative Politics Commons, Defense and Security Studies Commons, International Relations Commons, Near and Middle Eastern Studies Commons, Peace and Conflict Studies Commons