Human Needs and Power – Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Human Needs and Power – Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Conflict Selected

I have chosen the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as the intergroup conflict for this assignment. The Middle East’s protracted and intricate conflict between Israelis and Palestinians is centered on their conflicting national aspirations and territorial claims. Deeply rooted in historical, theological, and geopolitical considerations, the dispute revolves around questions of identity, sovereignty, and basic human necessities like acknowledgment, security, and self-determination. Power dynamics largely determine the way discussions turn out, as both sides use different kinds of force, such as military might, diplomatic clout, and international alliances, to further their objectives. Finding a power balance that upholds justice and security, attending to the basic human needs of both Israelis and Palestinians and cultivating a thorough comprehension of each group’s worries and goals are all necessary for resolving this conflict.

The Needs that each Party is Trying to Address in the Conflict how they Affected the Conflict

All sides in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict have been working to meet basic human needs, which adds a great deal of complexity to the conflict. Israelis, who have deep historical and cultural ties to the country, want security and acceptance of their right to exist as an independent state (Ben-Meir, 2022). The right of return for refugees who were uprooted during the conflict, as well as self-determination and statehood, are what the Palestinian people are fighting for. Due to these conflicting wants that are ingrained in each group’s national identity, efforts to satisfy one party’s needs frequently come across as a threat to the others. This leads to a difficult dynamic. A cycle of violence, mistrust, and political impasse has been sustained by the lengthy conflict, which has been exacerbated by the struggle to balance these conflicting needs. Addressing these core human needs is crucial for fostering a sustainable resolution and establishing a foundation for peace in the region.

Role of Power in the Conflict, Including If, how, and to What Degree Power Played a Part in it

Power, which may take many different forms and shape the dynamics of a conflict, has been essential to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israel has a considerable military advantage that has influenced the dynamics of security and territorial control in the area. In addition, Israel has a significant amount of influence on the world stage thanks to its diplomatic and political might as well as its foreign alliances. Palestinians have utilized resistance activities and depended on Arab unity to offset the imbalance of power (ALIM, 2020). Power struggles and their strategic application have been visible in peace processes, negotiations, and efforts to win over other countries. Power disparities have frequently impeded fair communication and compromises, which has added to the conflict’s protracted duration. Recognizing and addressing these power dynamics is crucial for fostering a more balanced and sustainable resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

How I Would Expect Power to Influence the Outcome of the Conflict

Power will probably continue to shape the Israeli-Palestinian conflict resolution process, with Israel, the more powerful party, having a major influence on the final result. Israel has a significant edge in discussions due to its military might, diplomatic clout, and economic clout, which might affect the conditions of any deal (Guzansky, 2021). However, in order to find a lasting solution, it would be necessary to go beyond a zero-sum power battle and acknowledge the justifiable demands and ambitions of both sides. To guarantee a more equitable and long-lasting conclusion, the international community, including powerful players, can play a critical role in mediating and balancing power dynamics. In the end, a thorough and inclusive strategy that recognizes power disparities and attends to the fundamental human needs of both Israelis and Palestinians is necessary for achieving a meaningful and enduring resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

References

ALIM, E. (2020). The Art of Resistance in the Palestinian Struggle Against Israel. Türkiye Ortadoğu Çalışmaları Dergisi. https://doi.org/10.26513/tocd.635076

Ben-Meir, A. (2022). THE CASE FOR AN ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN-JORDANIAN CONFEDERATION. World Affairs, 185(1), 9–58. https://doi.org/10.1177/00438200211066350

Guzansky, Y. (2021). Israel’s Periphery Doctrines: Then and Now. Middle East Policy. https://doi.org/10.1111/mepo.12579

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Human needs and power are primary elements in conflict. In order for conflict to be resolved, the needs of the involved parties must be met at least to some degree. In the struggle to meet these human needs, people often use power. People use power in a variety of ways and how it is used often influences the outcome of conflict.

Human Needs and Power – Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

To prepare for this assignment:

Review Chapter 1 in your course text, The Dynamics of Conflict Resolution, paying particular attention to the relationship between human needs and conflict.
Review Chapter 3 in your course text, The Dynamics of Conflict Resolution. Focus on the role of power in conflict.
Think about an intergroup conflict with which you are familiar or interested. It may be contemporary or historical.
Consider the human needs that each party is or was trying to address in the conflict and how they affected the conflict.
Reflect on the role of power in the conflict and if, how, and to what degree power played a part in the conflict.
Think about if and how power influenced or could influence the outcome of the conflict.
The assignment (2–4 pages):

Briefly describe the conflict that you selected.
Briefly describe the needs that each party is or was trying to address in the conflict and explain how they affected the conflict.
Explain the role of power in the conflict, including if, how, and to what degree power played a part in it.
Explain how you would expect power to influence—or how it did influence—the outcome of the conflict (its resolution, management, etc.).
Support your Application Assignment with specific references to all resources used in its preparation. You are asked to provide a reference list only for those resources not included in the Learning Resources for this course.

Resources
Review the Course Preview and read the Course Introduction located on the Course Overview page.

Mayer, B. (2012). The dynamics of conflict: A Guide to Engagement and Intervention (2nd ed.). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Chapter 1, “The Nature of Conflict”
Chapter 2, “How People Approach Conflict” (pp. 47–60 only)
Chapter 3, “Power and Conflict”