ABSTRACT

This chapter explores the contemporary state of play for Palestinians. It considers the peace process of the late twentieth century, the Gaza withdrawal of 2005, the civil conflict between Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiyya (HAMAS) and the Palestinian Authority, Palestinian appeals to international bodies such as the UN and the International Criminal Court and, the impact of the Arab uprisings on Palestinian politics. The Intifada marked a significant turning point in the Palestinian struggle and was widely supported in the Palestinian Diaspora. Inside Israel, the inability of the Israeli Defence Force to suppress the Intifada reignited the debate over the moral and political costs of occupation. Israel commenced construction of its security wall in 2002 in response to a string of Palestinian suicide attacks against Israeli citizens. The role of the United States has been problematic due to the incompatibility between its close relationship with Israel and its self-proclaimed role as peace-maker.