Impact of Arab States' Role in Shaping the Israel-Palestine Conflict

Abstract

The Arab states have played a central role in Middle Eastern geopolitics in the conflict between Israel and Palestine, a problem that has been a centerpiece of Middle Eastern geopolitics for decades, having far-reaching implications for international relations and regional stability. Through an examination of Arab states' political, military, and diplomatic actions over time, this thesis considers the pivotal role of Arab states in determining the course of the conflict, exploring, in particular, their political, military, and diplomatic strategy throughout history. Through a consideration of the evolution of Arab involvement, from early Arab support of Palestinian national interest to recent geopolitical patterns, this thesis identifies such complex, sometimes competing, positions assumed by key Arab states, as well as competing and sometimes shifting power relations in the region, changing alliances, and responses to broader international factors influencing Arab states' policy towards Israel and Palestine. Through a comparative consideration of significant Arab states, this thesis aims to identify incentives behind Arab states' involvement, identify hurdles that Arab states face in balancing both internal and regional pressure, and understand implications for Palestinian statehood as well as peace negotiations. Theoretical approaches, such as realism, constructivism, and regionalism, are applied to examine Arab states' strategy, as well as its consequences, upon both the conflict between Israel/Palestine, as well as upon Middle Eastern politics more broadly. Ultimately, this thesis aims to provide a complete picture of Arab states' involvement, as well as deliver insight into prospects of potential future settlement, or escalation, of conflict.