The Israeli negotiation strategy under Netanyahu: settlement without reconciliation

Abstract

Purpose -This article aims to analyse the Israeli negotiation strategy in reference to the theoretical frameworks of reconciliation and settlement. It focuses on the Israeli-Palestinian negotiation experience over the past three years, or since Netanyahu was elected Prime Minister of the Israeli Government in 2009. Design/methodology/approach -Theoretical literature provides two hypothetical frameworks for resolution of conflicts: a political settlement; and reconciliation between parties to the conflict. This article argues that Israel's vision of conflict resolution effectively attempts to integrate both hypothetical frameworks by proposing a political settlement for Palestinians in return for obtaining reconciliation from them. To analyse this strategy, this article explores the Israeli political discourse over the past three years, as well as Israel's vision of the conflict resolution as is manifest in this discourse. Findings -The article argument is based on the indication that willingness of a party to reach a settlement is met with reconciliation from the other party to the conflict. A party's insistence on offering a settlement and attaining reconciliation is associated with power relations between both parties. To maintain its powerful position, the stronger party usually demands reconciliation from the weaker party, at the same time presenting a settlement that implies a political, not moral, recognition of the weaker party with a view to dispossess it from its moral logic in the conflict. Originality/value -An assessment of the Israeli political discourse over the past three years indicates that Israel is implementing a compound negotiation strategy to resolve the conflict. The strategy entails settlement and reconciliation components. Israel wishes to deal with Palestinians through a political settlement. On the other hand, Israel wants the Palestinians to deal with it through the reconciliation process.

Social Reconsiliation: Re-establish Post-conflict Social Ties in Kendeng Mountain Area

“…The security apparatus is also assigned to maintain the conduciveness of the village community and prevent violence between conflicting parties. Reconciliation carried out by certain institutions or the government is a reconciliation approach that is carried out by a top down system [16] and usually a stronger party will resolve the conflict politically [17]. Reconciliation with a top-down approach results only in the surface layer and does not touch all levels of society.…”

Seeking an Egalitarian State in Palestine/Israel: The Recent Debate about Binationalism

“…Palestinians prefer full independence. 1 Advocates of the binational-state solution see it as the golden mean between these options, "The Palestinians cannot defeat Israel and force its withdrawal from the occupied territories, and Israel cannot continue the occupation of the Palestinians." 2 The supporters of a binational state assert that adoption of this option by the Palestinians would pose a moral and political challenge to Israel.…”