Beyond the Blocs: Jewish Settlement East of Israel's Security Barrier and How to Avert the Slide to a One-State Outcome

The challenges in U.S.-Israel relations remain the same, including the shape of a new Iran nuclear deal and Israel's West Bank policy, which has allowed Jewish settlers to pursue their ideological goals. Israel expert David Makovsky argues that communities outside the West Bank security barrier constitute a central obstacle to a future two-state solution and that a quiet U.S.-Israel understanding could help preserve an outcome that advances both American interests and Israeli democracy.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 103 pages
Publication date: 07 November 2023
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

Springtime in Israel has been a season of instability, marked by a series of deadly terrorist attacks and the resignation of Idit Silman from the coalition government, as well as violent clashes in Jerusalem. Despite these challenges, the fundamental issues in U.S.-Israel relations remain unchanged: the shape of a new Iran nuclear deal and Israel's West Bank policy, which has largely allowed the hardcore among Jewish settlers to pursue their ideological goals through the construction of settlements, outposts, and neighborhoods outside major blocs.

In this comprehensive Policy Focus, released in tandem with an update to his landmark "Settlements and Solutions" interactive map, Israel expert David Makovsky delves into the reasons why communities outside the West Bank security barrier pose a significant obstacle to a future two-state solution. Through the use of charts and graphics, Makovsky presents his case, exploring settlers' voting patterns, discussing trends in violent activity on both sides, and explaining why a quiet U.S.-Israel understanding could help preserve an outcome that advances both American interests and Israeli democracy.

The first challenge in U.S.-Israel relations is the shape of a new Iran nuclear deal. The ongoing negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 (the United States, China, Russia, France, and the United Kingdom, plus Germany) aim to reach a comprehensive agreement that would prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. However, the process has been fraught with difficulties, and there are concerns that a final deal may not be able to effectively address all of the issues at hand.

One of the key concerns is the duration of the agreement. While some parties are pushing for a short-term deal that would provide a temporary pause in Iran's nuclear program, others are advocating for a longer-term agreement that would provide more certainty and stability. Another concern is the scope of the agreement. Some parties are seeking to limit Iran's nuclear program to solely peaceful purposes, while others are pushing for a more comprehensive deal that would include restrictions on Iran's missile program and its support for terrorism.

Another challenge in U.S.-Israel relations is Israel's West Bank policy. Israel has maintained a presence in the West Bank since the 1967 Six-Day War, and its policy has been criticized by many for its impact on the prospects for a two-state solution. Israel's policy of constructing settlements, outposts, and neighborhoods outside major blocs has been seen as a barrier to peace and has contributed to the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.

One of the key criticisms of Israel's West Bank policy is that it undermines the prospects for a two-state solution by creating a de facto separation between Israel and the Palestinians. Settlements are built on land that is claimed by the Palestinians, and their construction has led to the displacement of thousands of Palestinians from their homes and land. Outposts are small settlements that are built on land that is not claimed by the Palestinians, but their construction has been seen as a provocation and has contributed to tensions between Israel and the Palestinians.

Another criticism of Israel's West Bank policy is that it has contributed to the ongoing violence between Israel and the Palestinians. Settlements and outposts have been the site of clashes between Israeli soldiers and Palestinian protesters, and the construction of settlements has been seen as a way for Israel to assert its control over the West Bank. The violence has had a devastating impact on the lives of both Israelis and Palestinians, and it has contributed to a sense of hopelessness and despair among the Palestinian population.

Despite these challenges, there are reasons to be optimistic about the future of U.S.-Israel relations. One of the key factors is the growing support for a two-state solution among Israelis and Palestinians. There has been a significant increase in the number of Israelis and Palestinians who believe that a two-state solution is the best way to achieve peace and security in the region.

Another factor that could contribute to a positive outcome in U.S.-Israel relations is the growing influence of moderate voices in both Israel and the United States. Moderate leaders in Israel and the United States are working to promote a peaceful resolution to the conflict and are working to build bridges between the two sides.

In conclusion, springtime in Israel has been a season of instability, marked by a series of deadly terrorist attacks and the resignation of Idit Silman from the coalition government, as well as violent clashes in Jerusalem. Despite these challenges, the fundamental issues in U.S.-Israel relations remain unchanged: the shape of a new Iran nuclear deal and Israel's West Bank policy, which has largely allowed the hardcore among Jewish settlers to pursue their ideological goals through the construction of settlements, outposts, and neighborhoods outside major blocs. In this comprehensive Policy Focus, Israel expert David Makovsky delves into the reasons why communities outside the West Bank security barrier pose a significant obstacle to a future two-state solution. Through the use of charts and graphics, Makovsky presents his case, exploring settlers' voting patterns, discussing trends in violent activity on both sides, and explaining why a quiet U.S.-Israel understanding could help preserve an outcome that advances both American interests and Israeli democracy. While there are reasons to be optimistic about the future of U.S.-Israel relations, there are also significant challenges that must be addressed. The shape of a new Iran nuclear deal and Israel's West Bank policy are critical issues that must be resolved to achieve a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The growing support for a two-state solution among Israelis and Palestinians, as well as the growing influence of moderate voices in both Israel and the United States, could contribute to a positive outcome in U.S.-Israel relations. However, it will require significant effort and commitment from both sides to reach a lasting peace agreement.

Weight: 168g
Dimension: 151 x 232 x 9 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781538182963