Date of Defense

4-25-2018

Date of Graduation

4-2018

Department

Political Science

First Advisor

Jim Butterfield

Second Advisor

Yuan-Kang Wang

Third Advisor

Mustafa Mughazy

Abstract

In this thesis the status and feasibility of the two-state solution, the primary and most widely-accepted potential resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will be analyzed. It considers aspects such as physical challenges (geography and topography of the land), regressive and damaging actions to the peace process by Israelis and Palestinians, and the newly developing changes in regional alliances and interests in the Middle East. The status of the traditional two-state solution, due to its history, obstacles, and current regional developments, has implications for future negotiations and have changed the direction of peace talks. Dramatic shifts in regional interests and the balance of power in the Middle East have caused the Saudi-led Gulf states to increase their strategic cooperation with Israel, permanently changing the direction of Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. This is clear especially when considering the significant changes in the regional dynamics of the Middle East, amid a growing relationship between Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the other Sunni Gulf states. Other factors – the future of the Iran nuclear deal and the future of Israeli and Palestinian leadership – will affect peace talks and will likely influence the components of a peace deal potentially proposed by the Trump Administration. Among these factors, the Arab states’ relatively new and substantial signs of gravitation towards Israel to create an anti-Iranian alliance is the biggest indicators of serious change in Arab policy towards the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Access Setting

Honors Thesis-Open Access

Download

Share

COinS