Understanding the Palestinian Conflict

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been marked by several peace negotiations and agreements offered by Israel and the international community to various Palestinian organizations, including the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and Hamas. Below are key peace offers since the 1940s that have been either accepted or rejected:

1. 1947 UN Partition Plan (Resolution 181)

The United Nations proposed to divide British-controlled Palestine into Jewish and Arab states, with Jerusalem as an international city.

• Accepted by the Jewish Agency (precursor to Israel)
• Rejected by Arab leaders and Palestinian representatives
  The refusal led to the 1948 Arab-Israeli War after Israel declared independence.

2. 1967 – Post-Six-Day War Offers

After Israel’s victory in the Six-Day War, it controlled the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Sinai Peninsula, and Golan Heights. Israel signaled willingness to negotiate land for peace.

• Arab League's Khartoum Resolution (1967): The famous "Three No's"—no peace with Israel, no recognition of Israel, no negotiations with Israel—was adopted.

3. 1978 – Camp David Accords

Brokered by U.S. President Jimmy Carter, Israel and Egypt negotiated a peace treaty, and Israel returned the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt.

• PLO was not part of the negotiations and rejected the accords, as they viewed the deal as a betrayal of the Palestinian cause.

4. 1993 – Oslo Accords

A major breakthrough where Israel and the PLO recognized each other. This agreement created the Palestinian Authority (PA), with limited self-rule in parts of the West Bank and Gaza.

• Accepted by PLO (Yasser Arafat)
• Rejected by Hamas, which opposed any negotiations with Israel.

5. 2000 – Camp David Summit

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak offered a plan that included Palestinian statehood in most of the West Bank and Gaza, with some land swaps. Jerusalem’s sovereignty was to be shared.

• Rejected by Yasser Arafat
  No agreement was reached, and the Second Intifada (uprising) followed.

6. 2008 – Olmert Peace Offer

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert proposed a peace plan offering the Palestinians roughly 94% of the West Bank and land swaps for the remainder, plus a shared Jerusalem.

• Rejected by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, though discussions continued.

7. 2014 – John Kerry Peace Initiative

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry proposed a framework for peace negotiations, but the talks collapsed due to disagreements between the two sides, including settlement expansions and recognition of Israel as a Jewish state.

• No formal agreement was reached, and Hamas remained outside these negotiations, continuing to reject Israel’s legitimacy.

Hamas Position

Hamas, which controls Gaza since 2007, refuses to recognize Israel's right to exist and has not participated in formal peace talks. Its charter (originally written in 1988) called for the destruction of Israel, though in 2017, Hamas issued a new political document that showed some moderation, but without accepting a two-state solution or recognizing Israel.

Summary of Refusals:

• Arab states and Palestinian representatives rejected the 1947 UN Partition Plan.
• The Arab League's 1967 Khartoum Resolution rejected peace with Israel.
• Yasser Arafat rejected the 2000 Camp David offer.
• Mahmoud Abbas rejected the 2008 Olmert offer.
• Hamas has consistently refused peace deals with Israel.

These negotiations reflect the complex nature of the conflict and the differing positions of various Palestinian factions, including the PLO and Hamas.

Hamas, a Palestinian Islamist organization, has articulated a variety of goals and demands over the years, centered around the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. These demands are rooted in its founding charter and political statements, but have also evolved over time in response to political changes. Here’s a summary of Hamas' core goals and demands:

1. Destruction of Israel and Creation of an Islamic Palestinian State

• Original Charter (1988): Hamas' original charter, issued in 1988, explicitly called for the destruction of Israel and the establishment of an Islamic state over all of historic Palestine, which includes present-day Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza. The charter rejected any form of negotiations or compromise with Israel.
  • Key Points in the 1988 Charter:
    • Palestine is an Islamic land, and no part of it can be conceded to non-Muslims.
    • The conflict with Israel is a religious and existential struggle, not merely a political one.
    • Calls for jihad (holy struggle) to liberate Palestine.

2. Rejection of a Two-State Solution

• Hamas has historically opposed any peace negotiations that would lead to a two-state solution, where both Israel and a Palestinian state would coexist side by side. The group's ideology, as stated in its early documents, has been rooted in the belief that all of Palestine belongs to the Palestinian people and that Israel has no right to exist.

3. Control of Gaza and Political Power in Palestinian Territories

• Since winning the 2006 Palestinian legislative elections and seizing control of the Gaza Strip in 2007 (after a violent conflict with Fatah), Hamas has governed Gaza. It seeks to maintain and expand its influence within the Palestinian territories.
• In competition with the Palestinian Authority (PA) dominated by Fatah, Hamas aims to be recognized as the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.

4. End of Israeli Occupation and Lifting of Blockade on Gaza

• Hamas demands the end of Israel's military occupation of the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem (territories captured by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War). In particular, Hamas calls for the lifting of the blockade imposed by Israel (and partially by Egypt) on Gaza, which it claims has caused severe economic and humanitarian hardships.
  • Israel's blockade was put in place after Hamas took control of Gaza, in response to ongoing rocket attacks and other forms of aggression.

5. Right of Return for Palestinian Refugees

• Hamas, like the Palestinian Authority, demands the "right of return" for Palestinian refugees who were displaced during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war and their descendants. This would allow millions of Palestinians to return to their ancestral homes in what is now Israel, a demand that Israel rejects as it would fundamentally alter the demographic makeup of the country.

6. Opposition to the Oslo Accords and Negotiations with Israel

• Hamas strongly opposes the Oslo Accords of 1993, which established limited Palestinian self-rule under the Palestinian Authority (PA) and opened the door to negotiations between Israel and the PLO. Hamas views such agreements as a betrayal of Palestinian national aspirations and rejects any form of recognition of Israel.

7. Shift in 2017: New Political Document

• In 2017, Hamas issued a new political document, which some saw as a more pragmatic revision of its original charter, though it still refused to recognize Israel or accept a two-state solution. Key points included:
  • A shift in rhetoric that seemed to accept the idea of a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders (West Bank, Gaza, East Jerusalem), but without formally recognizing Israel or relinquishing claims to the rest of historic Palestine.
  • A distinction between Jews and Zionists, stating opposition to Zionism rather than Judaism as a religion, an attempt to counter accusations of anti-Semitism.
  • This document was interpreted by some as an effort to gain broader international legitimacy, but it did not fundamentally alter Hamas' rejection of Israel’s right to exist.

8. Violent Resistance and Armed Struggle

• Hamas has consistently promoted armed resistance as the primary method to achieve its goals, including launching rocket attacks against Israeli civilians, suicide bombings, and other forms of military confrontation. While Hamas has occasionally engaged in temporary ceasefires (often mediated by Egypt), these are generally seen as tactical moves rather than a genuine shift away from its commitment to "armed struggle."

9. Prisoner Releases and Political Concessions

• Hamas often demands the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. In 2011, for instance, Hamas secured the release of over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, whom Hamas had captured and held for five years.

Summary of Hamas' Goals:

• Elimination of Israel: Hamas' core demand remains the elimination of Israel and its replacement with a Palestinian state over the entirety of historic Palestine.
• Rejection of Peace Negotiations: Historically opposed to any negotiated peace agreements with Israel, such as the Oslo Accords.
• Armed Struggle: Advocacy for violent resistance as the primary means of confronting Israel.
• Control of Palestinian Territories: Seeks to expand its political and military influence, particularly in competition with the Palestinian Authority.
• Palestinian Refugee Return: Demands the right of return for Palestinian refugees displaced in 1948 and their descendants.
• Lifting of the Gaza Blockade: Seeks the lifting of the Israeli (and Egyptian) blockade on Gaza.

Despite some shifts in rhetoric and tactics over the years, particularly with the 2017 political document, Hamas' ultimate goals have not significantly changed: it remains committed to the destruction of Israel and the establishment of a Palestinian state on all of historic Palestine, rejecting permanent peace agreements that recognize Israel's right to exist.

These references offer detailed insights into Hamas' political and military strategies, as well as its ideological foundations.

1. Hamas Charter (1988)

• The original Hamas Charter, issued in 1988, outlined the group's goal of destroying Israel and establishing an Islamic state over all of Palestine. It emphasizes that the conflict with Israel is not only political but also religious, calling for jihad to liberate all of historic Palestine.
• Full text available: The Avalon Project, Yale Law School

2. Hamas’ New Political Document (2017)

• In 2017, Hamas released a new political document that some saw as an attempt to moderate its positions. It stated that Hamas would accept a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders but did not recognize Israel's right to exist and still demanded the right of return for Palestinian refugees.
• Summary and analysis: Middle East Eye

3. Hamas and the Gaza Blockade

• Israel and Egypt imposed a blockade on Gaza after Hamas took control in 2007, primarily as a response to Hamas' attacks on Israel. Hamas has consistently demanded the lifting of this blockade.
• Information on the blockade and its impact: BBC News

4. Hamas' Rejection of Oslo Accords

• Hamas rejected the Oslo Accords, seeing the agreement as a betrayal of Palestinian aspirations and a way of legitimizing Israel’s existence. The group has been consistent in its opposition to peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
• Analysis: Al Jazeera

5. Hamas' Role in Gaza and Armed Struggle

• Hamas is known for its policy of armed resistance and refusal to negotiate with Israel. It views violence and armed struggle as necessary to liberate Palestinian land.
• Overview: Council on Foreign Relations