Form of violence
The form of violence in this case was armed assaults, using small rockets, stones and guns. This form of violence may be seen as terrorism, or the use of violence by non-state actors against civilians so that the perpetrators may obtain a political aim. This form of violence is not a revolution, as it does not even remotely reach the scale and effectiveness of the First and Second Intifadas, which were arguably armed revolutions to attempt to actively overthrow the Israeli state.
Involved parties
The involved parties are the Palestinians in the Gaza strip, presently under blockade by the Israeli government and military, and the Israeli Defence Force and the Government. The two parties are presently at a political impasse after previous negotiations between more pacifist administrations collapsed.
Demands and goals of actors
The Palestinians want access to much needed services such as food, clean water, healthcare, education, sanitation and employment, and on a larger and more important level, the right to self determination, democratic rule, sovereignty and the formation of their own state.[2] Many youth in the area remain chronically unemployed and underserviced, which creates resentment and political violence. [3] Conversely, the Israelis want to ensure their own continued security and sovereignty, and believe that Palestinian demands are in direct contravention of their demands and goals. Hence, the conflict remains unresolved, and political violence continues to this day.
Explanation for the political violence
The best explanation for political violence in this case is an institutional explanation. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is fuelled by wrongdoing on both sides, but from an institutional and slightly more pro-Palestinian perspective, the institutional occupation of former Palestinian territory by the state of Israel, alongside the continued settlement of the Palestinian West Bank region and the military blockade of the Gaza Strip region, have actually led to much grievances through continued occupation of the Palestinians’ former home.[4] The Palestinians are frequently subject to routine border checks, infringement of their territory, and decreased access to vital services and opportunities such as employment, healthcare and education. This has greatly limited their human movement, and their desperate situation has pushed them to violence. Israeli policies have thus effectively excluded, marginalized and polarized the Palestinian people, leading to their use of political violence. On a secondary level, individual explanations may also apply, as the institutional oppression of the Palestinian people has led them to be psychologically humiliated and alienated, leading them to support political violence (even though it is highly unethical).
State countermeasures against political violence
The Israeli state and government have responded heavy handedly to all forms of political violence and provocation by the Palestinians, typically with repression in the form of the disproportionate use of force that creates more alienation and marginalization. For example, after the above example of political violence, the Israeli Defense Forces attacked Hamas (Palestinian) forces and monitoring posts, and resumed with bombing campaigns on 100 sites. [5]
Conclusion
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains a modern and intractable conflict with great political violence, and it is clear that repression and institutional explanations are key to understanding the continued existence of the conflict.
Endnotes
[1] Israel, David, ‘IDF Tank Attacks Hamas Post After Israeli Officer Shot by Gaza Terrorists.’ January 22, 2019. Accessed March 20, 2019. https://www.jewishpress.com/news/eye-on-palestine/hamas/idf-tank-attacks-hamas-post-after-israeli-officer-shot-by-gaza-terrorists/2019/01/22/
[2] Abdeen, Ziad, et al. “Psychological reactions to Israeli occupation: Findings from the national study of school-based screening in Palestine.” International Journal of Behavioral Development 32.4 (2008): 290-297.
[3] Caruso, Raul, and Evelina Gavrilova. “Youth Unemployment, Terrorism and Political Violence, Evidence from the Israeli/Palestinian Conflict.” Peace Economics, Peace Science and Public Policy 18.2 (2012): 1-37.
[4] Barber, Brian K.. “Contrasting portraits of war: Youths’ varied experiences with political violence in Bosnia and Palestine.” International Journal of Behavioral Development 32.4 (2008): 298-309.
[5] Israel, David, ‘IDF Tank Attacks Hamas Post After Israeli Officer Shot by Gaza Terrorists.’ January 22, 2019. Accessed March 20, 2019. https://www.jewishpress.com/news/eye-on-palestine/hamas/idf-tank-attacks-hamas-post-after-israeli-officer-shot-by-gaza-terrorists/2019/01/22/
References
Israel, David, ‘IDF Tank Attacks Hamas Post After Israeli Officer Shot by Gaza Terrorists.’ January 22, 2019. Accessed March 20, 2019. https://www.jewishpress.com/news/eye-on-palestine/hamas/idf-tank-attacks-hamas-post-after-israeli-officer-shot-by-gaza-terrorists/2019/01/22/
Abdeen, Ziad, et al. “Psychological reactions to Israeli occupation: Findings from the national study of school-based screening in Palestine.” International Journal of Behavioral Development 32.4 (2008): 290-297.
Barber, Brian K.. “Contrasting portraits of war: Youths’ varied experiences with political violence in Bosnia and Palestine.” International Journal of Behavioral Development 32.4 (2008): 298-309.
Caruso, Raul, and Evelina Gavrilova. “Youth Unemployment, Terrorism and Political Violence, Evidence from the Israeli/Palestinian Conflict.” Peace Economics, Peace Science and Public Policy 18.2 (2012): 1-37.
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