“Can’t say ‘yes’ – can’t live with ‘no’”: analysis of past Israeli-Palestinian negotiations

1) Rationale for the study This dissertation was written to see if an alternative to the methods used in previous Israeli-Palestinian negotiations could create peace and a Two-State Solution in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank. The mediation paradigm used in 2000, 2008, 2014 and 2016, though showing progress, has not resolved the conflict. This study tries to determine what the causes of continued failure to achieve a resolution could be and whether the standard mode of mediation is itself the problem. This study also tries to determine if there is some alternative to the standard mediation paradigm which might produce more conclusive results. 2) Hypothesis The basic hypothesis of this dissertation is that one should not point to any specific issue or issues as the cause of failure but rather to the lack of courage on the part of political leaders. Further there may be a modification to the mediation paradigm which would produce better results. 3) Method Two different databases have been used extensively. First, a database called CaseMap was used in which more than 15,000 separate quotations from every first party writer who attended the Camp David Negotiations was inserted. The database EndNote, which, in addition to being able to provide a detailed bibliography, also does an excellent job of indexing documents which are in PDF format across all the documents was used for every document and reference material. Of the 1,856 references, nearly all have PDF files associated with them which have been cross indexed and are now searchable. 4) Results It has been determined that by changing the order of how negotiations are usually conducted, a substitute for political courage can be found which might have a valuable effect on future negotiations. A referendum taking place simultaneously in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank authorizing negotiations and the conclusion of a Two-State Solution prior to the actual final negotiations would have a greater chance of achieving a successful conclusion. 5) Conclusion A referendum taking place simultaneously in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank authorizing negotiations and the conclusion of a Two-State Solution would have a greater chance of achieving a successful conclusion.Ph.D.Includes bibliographical referencesby Michael J. Reime