ABSTRACT
The global movement away from colonialism in the wake of World War II failed to bring stability and peace to the Middle East region; instead, postwar resolutions contributed significantly to the region’s conflicts. This chapter examines the ensuing four Arab–Israeli wars (1948, 1956, 1967, and 1973), along with the Israeli invasion of Lebanon (1980–2000 and 2006), the first Intifada (1987–1993), the second Intifada (2000–2005), and Israeli military actions against Gaza (2008–2009, 2012, and 2014). These conflicts have demonstrated that without outside mediation and pressure, the Palestinians and Israelis may never reach a practical resolution of their conflict.
