“Conflict of Values” in the Palestinian-Israeli Confrontation

The Palestinian-Israeli conflict is ethnopolitical in nature. It has a number of features that distinguish it from other conflicts of a similar type. The distinctive features of the conflict go beyond the contradictions at the level of regional politics. They touch on the deep nature of the Arab-Israeli/Palestinian-Israeli conflict. In addition to the political and economic component of the conflict, other factors such as culture, values of ethnic identity are of great importance. From the very beginning, the Arab-Israeli conflict in Palestine reflected more than just a struggle for the territory. It was a struggle for their history, myths, traditions, and religion, associated with this land by both peoples. The expanding borders of the Israeli state especially after the 1967 war are perceived by Palestinians not only as a confirmation of the seizure of their territories, but also as an assertion of differences and hostility between the two peoples. Due to the ethnic component, it is perceived by the parties not only as a conflict of interests but as a conflict of values. The concept and essence of ethnopolitical conflict and the complexity of its regulation reflect the main characteristics of the Palestinian-Israeli confrontation. These features make the Arab-Israeli conflict the most difficult to manage and to settle. The difficulties of resolution through political compromises create serious problems for the peace process. Despite the ongoing local and international peace efforts, the Jews, Arabs, and other residents of Israel and the Palestinian territories (i. e. the West Bank and Gaza) have endured decades of political, social, and physical upheaval with periodic eruptions of violence.