ABSTRACT
This chapter presents some events from 2006–2009 in Arab–Israeli Conflict. Relations between Israelis and Palestinians deteriorated after Israel's disengagement from the Gaza Strip, entering a downward spiral. Policy was increasingly dictated by hard-liners and militants who mistakenly and foolishly believed that armed force would break the will of the other. Ehud Olmert was immediately appointed acting prime minister of a caretaker government and he quickly established himself as the undisputed leader of the Kadima party formed by Sharon. Palestinians were scheduled to hold parliamentary elections on January 26, 2006. Under pressure from an American administration anxious to advance the democratization process in the Middle East, and worried that it would be blamed if the elections were canceled, Israel relented. Hamas's victory in the democratically held elections had profound implications for the Palestinians, Israel, the United States, and the Middle East in general. President Bush and the US administration were clearly shocked when the Palestinian election results were announced.
