The Peace Process Conventional Wisdom: the peace process initiated with the Oslo Accords is the innovative basis for peace. –Yes, for the first time the two sides officially recognise each other’s right to sit at the table. This is an important aspect that has not lost its relevance more than ten years on. –No, the solution has been there all the time, it is only a matter of implementing it. Lack of political will.

The Solution The creation of two states, living side by side. Jerusalem as the shared capital for both states and shared sovereignty on the holy places. The ‘return’ of refugees. Jewish settlers will have to be removed from the Occupied Territories.

The Oslo Accord Divided in two parts. The first one was mutual recognition PLO-Israel. The second was a detailed plan of partition. –Partition has, historically, a poor track record. Problem clear from the start: interim agreement without clear nature of permanent agreement. Israel wins, PLO loses out. Justice or real politik?

OSLO II and Camp David Subsequent accords do not radically alter the fundamental flaw. In fact, Camp David is the ultimate failure, Who is to blame? –Barak never intended to do a deal. He admitted just as much years later, saying that Arafat could have never signed on to such an agreement. –Arafat never intended to do a deal. He always harboured the hope of getting more and kept the option of violence open: the second Intifada.

Why did it fail? E. Said: “all secret deals between a very strong and very weak partner necessarily involve concession hidden in embarrassment by the latter.” –Israel does not intend to negotiate on the important stuff. –Arafat’s need to remain in control meant very poor negotiating team: ‘the yes men’.

The end of Oslo and Hamas Hamas was always against Oslo, they argued it would fail because it did not tackle the main issues. Did not really try to boycott it because it was popular among Palestinians. –Hamas offers the following: Temporary two-state solution (hudna) which can be renewed. Control of East Jerusalem Settlers have to go or accept to live in a Palestinian state. Territorial contiguity.

The civil war in Palestine The victory of Hamas in the 2006 elections changes Palestinian nationalism. –The failure of Oslo and the poor governance of Fatah make Hamas the dominant actor in Palestine. –Palestinian demands enshrined in resistance (mouqawama): nothing to lose anymore… –An Arab cold war?