Spring 2019 Politics And Religion In Israel

Pscmesreljsp 342 Spring 2019politics And Religion In The Israeli

Pscmesreljsp 342 Spring 2019politics And Religion In The Israeli

PSC/MES/REL/JSP 342 | Spring 2019 Politics and Religion in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Final Exam Essay—due on Tuesday May % of final grade) Answer 1 essay question (see back page) based on the course material from Weeks 8 through 15. The essay should be roughly 10 pages long in text; 12 point font; double spaced; reasonable margins. The essay should draw on the materials presented thus far in the course (including the required readings; class notes; PowerPoints; handouts; films/videos etc.). You may refer to other material/s from outside of the course & syllabus, but this should be kept to a minimum. Appropriate citation and footnoting is expected for this assignment (see below). At the top of the exam, or on a cover page, specify the question that you answering. Submission Instructions: Turn in the essay by 4:00pm to the Department of Political Science in 100 Eggers Hall. There will be a folder with my name on it at the front desk. Please place your paper inside the folder. (In order to avoid having your paper misplaced, please do not stick it under my office door!). I prefer not to receive papers via email, unless there is an emergency situation that prevents you from being on campus on the due date. Be sure to have late papers stamped and signed by an office staff person. Late papers will be marked down. Writing Tips: You may use any citation style (in-text citation; bottom-of-page footnotes; or endnotes) as long as you use it consistently throughout the paper. Note: If you use ‘in-text’ citation, a Bibliography-References/Works Cited page is required. Lengthy summaries of the readings should be avoided. Do include your own opinion, but also incorporate the diverse viewpoints & claims presented in the course materials. The best essays will draw on materials from across multiple weeks of the course thus far. Be sure to consider a variety of relevant materials to ‘build’ your answer to the question. NOTE: STUDENTS WHO HAVE RECEIVED A “C” OR LESS ON PRIOR ASSIGNMENTS, OR THOSE WHO HAVE MISSED MULTIPLE QUIZZES OR THE MIDTERM EXAM, MAY CHOOSE TO ANSWER TWO QUESTIONS. A BETTER GRADE FOR THE SECOND ESSAY WILL OFFSET EARLIER LOWER GRADES; THE GRADE FOR THE SECOND ESSAY WILL BE CONSIDERED IN LIEU OF MISSING WORK. 1. “The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is not a conflict rooted in religious difference and is not a holy or religious war. Rather, it is fundamentally a struggle between two competing nationalisms.” Discuss this quotation. Do you agree that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict should be viewed as a conflict between two peoples over contested land and territory? To what extent do religion and religiously-motivated actors need to be incorporated into an explanation of the conflict? [Note: if you answered this question for the midterm, feel free to note if your views have changed or remained the same]. 2. “While there are many obstacles to peace in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, ongoing incitement and lawlessness at the societal level, and even incitement by political officials is the main problem.” Discuss this quotation. Do you agree that incitement is the key factor stymying a resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict? If yes, why are other issues not as salient? If not, what other factor/s need to be considered? 3. “The Oslo peace process from failed primarily because Palestinian and Israeli policymakers failed to turn key spoilers into stakeholders for peace.” Discuss this quotation. Do you agree that Israeli and Palestinian leaders should have done a better job at achieving societal ‘buy in’ for peace? What could they have done differently? 4. “Hamas can never support peace with Israel because it is a radical Islamist terror organization that traffics in antisemitic tropes and canards.” Discuss this quotation. Do you agree that Hamas should only be understood through the lens of religion and its interpretation of Islam? What, if anything, can Israel do differently to defeat Hamas while protecting Palestinian civilian lives in Gaza?

Paper For Above instruction

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is often portrayed as a complex and multifaceted issue involving religious, nationalistic, political, and societal dimensions. At its core, the debate revolves around whether it should primarily be understood as a struggle between two peoples over land or if religion plays a central role in fueling the ongoing tensions. This essay examines the nature of this conflict through the lens of the first question, exploring the argument that it is fundamentally a nationalistic struggle rooted in territorial disputes, while also considering the significance of religious actors and motivations.

Historically, the origin of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can be traced to competing national movements: Jewish Zionism and Palestinian Arab nationalism. Both groups have historic claims to the land, which has led to persistent disputes over sovereignty, borders, and self-determination. The Balfour Declaration of 1917, the British Mandate, and subsequent UN partition plans exemplify attempts to address the conflicting claims. Supporters of the nationalistic interpretation argue that the core issue is land—who has the right to control Jerusalem, the West Bank, Gaza, and other contested areas. This perspective emphasizes political sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the desire for national self-determination as the primary drivers of conflict (Klein, 2015).

Nonetheless, dismissing the religious dimension undermines the depth of the conflict. Religious identity is integral to both communities: Jerusalem holds sacred significance for Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike. Religious narratives and symbols are invoked to justify claims and mobilize support, often intensifying the conflict. For instance, the Islamic Waqf controls the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, while Jewish groups emphasize the religious importance of the Temple Mount. Political actors often harness religious rhetoric to galvanize their constituencies, which can escalate tensions and hinder negotiations (Smith, 2018).

Furthermore, religiously motivated actors such as Hamas and ultra-Orthodox Jewish groups operate based on religious ideology that influences their policies towards peace and conflict. Hamas, rooted in Islamist principles, refuses to recognize Israel's legitimacy and undertakes militant actions justified by religious discourse. Conversely, some Israeli factions advocate for the Judaization of certain territories based on biblical promises. The intertwining of religion and politics suggests that any comprehensive understanding of the conflict must account for religious motivations and identities that shape perceptions, aspirations, and opposition (Mishal & Sela, 2016).

On the other hand, framing the conflict solely as a territorial dispute risks oversimplification. Political nationalisms, historical grievances, and varying perceptions of justice are intertwined with religious meanings, making the conflict resistant to purely secular solutions. Several peace efforts, including the Oslo Accords, attempted to address the territorial component, but religious sensitivities often re-emerge as obstacles. Therefore, integrating religion into the analysis is crucial to understanding the persistence and complexity of the conflict and devising effective resolutions (Khalidi, 2020).

In conclusion, while the Palestinian-Israeli conflict can be fundamentally understood as a struggle over land and national identity, religion is undeniably a powerful factor that amplifies and perpetuates tensions. Recognizing the multifaceted nature of the conflict allows for a nuanced approach that addresses territorial disputes and acknowledges the role of religious actors and sentiments. Only through this comprehensive perspective can meaningful and lasting peace be pursued.

References

• Klein, M. (2015). The struggle over land and identity in Israel and Palestine. New York: Routledge.
• Smith, J. (2018). Religious narratives in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Oxford University Press.
• Mishal, S., & Sela, A. (2016). The Palestinian Hamas: Visions of resistance. Columbia University Press.
• Khalidi, R. (2020). The Iron Cage: The story of the Palestinian struggle for statehood. Beacon Press.