Simulation cards - PRESENT situation
Israeli Jews and Jewish people in diaspora
Background: Israel is a representative democracy with a parliamentary system. The population of Israel in 2014 was estimated to be 8 million people, of whom 6 million are Jewish, the second largest group are designated as Arabs (1.6 million). More than half of the global Jewish population lives in diaspora.
Since the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948, it has fought several wars with neighboring Arab states, during the course of these conflicts Israel has occupied the West Bank, Sinai, part of South Lebanon, Gaza Strip, and the Golan Heights. Israel annexed part of these territories, including East Jerusalem, but there are still disputes regarding the Palestinian territories (West Bank and Gaza Strip) as well as tensions with other states.
Israel has signed peace treaties with Egypt and Jordan, but efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict have so far not resulted in peace.
Position: Due to international pressure, Israel agrees to peace negotiations with the Palestinians. Israel agrees with the two state solution as long as Israel’s territory remains in line with the 1967 borders and with Jerusalem as the united and eternal capital.
You believe that the status of the territories conquered by Israel in 1967 do not qualify as an occupation in the legal sense, and that the Israeli settlements in those territories do not contravene international law. Despite harsh criticisms, you continue building the settlements in disputed areas. As the foreign policy makers you are concerned about terrorist activities conducting by Hamas against the state of Israel. You believe that Palestinian government is too weak to control Hamas and they are not ready to establish a secure, democratic state.
Background: Israel is a representative democracy with a parliamentary system. The population of Israel in 2014 was estimated to be 8 million people, of whom 6 million are Jewish, the second largest group are designated as Arabs (1.6 million). More than half of the global Jewish population lives in diaspora.
Since the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948, it has fought several wars with neighboring Arab states, during the course of these conflicts Israel has occupied the West Bank, Sinai, part of South Lebanon, Gaza Strip, and the Golan Heights. Israel annexed part of these territories, including East Jerusalem, but there are still disputes regarding the Palestinian territories (West Bank and Gaza Strip) as well as tensions with other states.
Israel has signed peace treaties with Egypt and Jordan, but efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict have so far not resulted in peace.
Position: Due to international pressure, Israel agrees to peace negotiations with the Palestinians. Israel agrees with the two state solution as long as Israel’s territory remains in line with the 1967 borders and with Jerusalem as the united and eternal capital.
You believe that the status of the territories conquered by Israel in 1967 do not qualify as an occupation in the legal sense, and that the Israeli settlements in those territories do not contravene international law. Despite harsh criticisms, you continue building the settlements in disputed areas. As the foreign policy makers you are concerned about terrorist activities conducting by Hamas against the state of Israel. You believe that Palestinian government is too weak to control Hamas and they are not ready to establish a secure, democratic state.
Palestinian citizens of Israel, Palestinians from Occupied territories, Palestinian refugees
Background: Half of the world's Palestinian population continues to reside in historic Palestine; the area encompassing the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and Israel. Of the Palestinian population who live abroad, mainly known as the Palestinian refugees, more than half of them are stateless and without citizenship in any country. One of the obstacles for an independent Palestinian State are the terrorist activities conducted by Hamas, whose stronghold is in the Gaza strip. The Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories is in its fifth decade and the undercurrent of violence along with inherent abuses of fundamental human rights and disregard for international law is present on both sides. Both Israeli and Palestinian civilians continue to bear the brunt of the violence in the region.
Position: Palestinians, regardless of where they live, provide the foundation for an independent Palestinian State as a basic condition in signing a peace treaty. However, all three segments have different interests:
Palestinians living in Israel live in relatively good conditions within their daily lives and often do not have a set opinion on where they would live if a Palestinian country was established. It is probable that many of them would like to keep their Israeli citizenship as a guarantee of a better life in a Western country.
Palestinians who live in the occupied territories, West Bank and Gaza, seek independence. They do not want to be controlled by Israel.
Palestinian refugees who are stateless are in need of an urgent solution for Palestine, they seek to return to their homes and homeland, to date they have been denied the right to do so.
You as representatives for all segments of Palestinians have to explain the complexity of the Palestinian society and your needs: formal establishment of an independent, sovereign Palestine in the entire territory of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, with East Jerusalem as its capital. In terms of borders, this means a full Israeli withdrawal from the entire West Bank, back to the pre-1967 border, known as the Green Line, and complete dismantlement of all Israeli settlements.
Background: Half of the world's Palestinian population continues to reside in historic Palestine; the area encompassing the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and Israel. Of the Palestinian population who live abroad, mainly known as the Palestinian refugees, more than half of them are stateless and without citizenship in any country. One of the obstacles for an independent Palestinian State are the terrorist activities conducted by Hamas, whose stronghold is in the Gaza strip. The Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories is in its fifth decade and the undercurrent of violence along with inherent abuses of fundamental human rights and disregard for international law is present on both sides. Both Israeli and Palestinian civilians continue to bear the brunt of the violence in the region.
Position: Palestinians, regardless of where they live, provide the foundation for an independent Palestinian State as a basic condition in signing a peace treaty. However, all three segments have different interests:
Palestinians living in Israel live in relatively good conditions within their daily lives and often do not have a set opinion on where they would live if a Palestinian country was established. It is probable that many of them would like to keep their Israeli citizenship as a guarantee of a better life in a Western country.
Palestinians who live in the occupied territories, West Bank and Gaza, seek independence. They do not want to be controlled by Israel.
Palestinian refugees who are stateless are in need of an urgent solution for Palestine, they seek to return to their homes and homeland, to date they have been denied the right to do so.
You as representatives for all segments of Palestinians have to explain the complexity of the Palestinian society and your needs: formal establishment of an independent, sovereign Palestine in the entire territory of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, with East Jerusalem as its capital. In terms of borders, this means a full Israeli withdrawal from the entire West Bank, back to the pre-1967 border, known as the Green Line, and complete dismantlement of all Israeli settlements.
European Union
Background: At the end of the war, millions of people were homeless, the European economy had collapsed, and much of the European industrial infrastructure had been destroyed. There was a need to unite Europe and help countries with development. The European Coal and Steel Community, which was declared to be "a first step in the federation of Europe" was created in 1952. Later the "The Inner Six" evolved into the European Union, which now has 28 member states and is united not only economically but politically too.
Position: You, as European countries, still feel responsibility for the European Jewish tragedy which occurred during World War II resulting in the deaths of 6 million Jewish people. On one hand, you strongly supported the creation of Israel and most of the EU countries have warm relations with Israel, on the other hand, you are concerned with the current conflict between Israeli and Palestinian people. Europe’s interest is a secure Middle East region. You do not agree with every aspect of Israel's policies. You criticize the building of settlements in the occupied Territories or the human rights violations committed against Palestinians, but you also cannot accept the terrorist activities conducting by Hamas against Israel. You want to support negotiations between both sides and to ensure that the neighbouring Middle East region will be a safe and peaceful place.
Background: At the end of the war, millions of people were homeless, the European economy had collapsed, and much of the European industrial infrastructure had been destroyed. There was a need to unite Europe and help countries with development. The European Coal and Steel Community, which was declared to be "a first step in the federation of Europe" was created in 1952. Later the "The Inner Six" evolved into the European Union, which now has 28 member states and is united not only economically but politically too.
Position: You, as European countries, still feel responsibility for the European Jewish tragedy which occurred during World War II resulting in the deaths of 6 million Jewish people. On one hand, you strongly supported the creation of Israel and most of the EU countries have warm relations with Israel, on the other hand, you are concerned with the current conflict between Israeli and Palestinian people. Europe’s interest is a secure Middle East region. You do not agree with every aspect of Israel's policies. You criticize the building of settlements in the occupied Territories or the human rights violations committed against Palestinians, but you also cannot accept the terrorist activities conducting by Hamas against Israel. You want to support negotiations between both sides and to ensure that the neighbouring Middle East region will be a safe and peaceful place.
United States of America
Background: During both of the World Wars the United States fought in the name of democracy. The US has huge economic interests in Middle East and over the years has become a strong ally of Israel.
Position: Although Israel is a strong ally of the US, the US has always supported democratic values (in theory). You as the US foreign policy makers want to mediate the Israeli/Palestinian peace talks. You understand the need to maneuver between the two positions and two nations. You do not want to lose your ally, but you also want to promote democracy in Middle East, including Palestine. The US’ position on a final agreement still largely reflects Israeli concerns and de-prioritizes the more pressing concerns of the Palestinians. However, since the recent cycle of violence in the summer of 2014, there is a great deal of debate within US Congress regarding support of the new union government which includes both Fatah and Hamas.
Background: During both of the World Wars the United States fought in the name of democracy. The US has huge economic interests in Middle East and over the years has become a strong ally of Israel.
Position: Although Israel is a strong ally of the US, the US has always supported democratic values (in theory). You as the US foreign policy makers want to mediate the Israeli/Palestinian peace talks. You understand the need to maneuver between the two positions and two nations. You do not want to lose your ally, but you also want to promote democracy in Middle East, including Palestine. The US’ position on a final agreement still largely reflects Israeli concerns and de-prioritizes the more pressing concerns of the Palestinians. However, since the recent cycle of violence in the summer of 2014, there is a great deal of debate within US Congress regarding support of the new union government which includes both Fatah and Hamas.
Arab Countries
Background: The Arab League was founded in 1945. It aimed to be a regional organization of Arab states with a focus to developing the economy, resolving disputes, and coordinating political aims. Each country was given one vote in the council. The first major action was the joint intervention, allegedly on behalf of the majority Arab population that was being uprooted as the State of Israel emerged in 1948.
Position: You are a representative of the Arab League, an association of the 21 Arab countries. They are concerned about the tensions in the Region and willing to support Palestine in any direction, also with weapons.
They strongly condemn the Israeli policy and the human rights violations against the Palestinian population in West Bank and Gaza and support the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
Some of your member states (especially Jordan and Lebanon) have a big problem with the Palestinian refugees living there - in Jordan more than 50% of the populations are Palestinians who were fleeing during the 6 days war in 1967.
Background: The Arab League was founded in 1945. It aimed to be a regional organization of Arab states with a focus to developing the economy, resolving disputes, and coordinating political aims. Each country was given one vote in the council. The first major action was the joint intervention, allegedly on behalf of the majority Arab population that was being uprooted as the State of Israel emerged in 1948.
Position: You are a representative of the Arab League, an association of the 21 Arab countries. They are concerned about the tensions in the Region and willing to support Palestine in any direction, also with weapons.
They strongly condemn the Israeli policy and the human rights violations against the Palestinian population in West Bank and Gaza and support the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
Some of your member states (especially Jordan and Lebanon) have a big problem with the Palestinian refugees living there - in Jordan more than 50% of the populations are Palestinians who were fleeing during the 6 days war in 1967.
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