Conflict in the Middle East: The Last Ten Years
The initial discussion concerned our knowledge of the Middle East and the conflicts
there. The general consensus was that we, in the West, knew very little about the
reasons behind the disputes and in general found it rather confusing. As such the
seminar focused on clarifying rather than complicating the issues surrounding the
Middle East, looking at the causes of conflicts and the solutions to them to act as a
base for our knowledge, and further enquiry.
Causes of Conflict- The Big Issues
 Land ownership (Jewish vs Palestinians)- they both believe they have
exclusive right to the land, and no one else. Jewish define themselves as the
persecuted and believe they deserve a place of their won.
 Oil ( a general issue in the Middle East)- this is the one of issues which greatly
affects the conduct of the West in the Middle East, for fear of reprisal and a
resulting depression. The last time this happened it led to fascism, genocide
and World War.
 A legacy of Violence- the conflict has gone on for so long, many people have
died which needs avenging. Almost seems like the two ‘sides’ do not want
peace, Egyptian Prime Minister ( Anwar Sadat) and Israeli Prime Minister
(Rabin) were both assassinated by their own people for trying to ‘give in’ and
reach a final peace settlement.
 Religion- this cause can be split;
1. The Middle East’s composition means there is one Jewish state in a sea
of Muslim states. Both the religions are actually very much interlinked
with Abraham as the spiritual ‘Grandfather’. They are also closely
linked ethnically- these similarities, the ‘narcissism of small
difference’, seem to cause tension.
2. The two religions are very sensitive towards each other even though
they are closely linked. Perhaps they are nervous (paranoid?) about any
slight against their religion (are they identified too heavily with their
inflexible orthodoxies in their religion?)
3. Islamic- Judaism resentment- this originates from the two religions
being so similar in their roots (Jews were persecuted by Mohammed in
Mecca) and both have their holy places, which they wish to claim
exclusive control of, in close proximity.
 Water- there is a dispute about the access to water in the area; this was one of
the causes in the Lebanon War, 1982.
 Leaders
o Sharon = known as a hardliner, although has recently withdrawn troops
from Gaza. He stood up to enemies of his beliefs and so was popular
with the right wing. He was a deeply unpopular figure amongst Arabs,
having played a part in attacks on Arab villages as a young officer in
the IDF. He is indicative of typical Middle Eastern leaders- seems like
they do not want peace, just a clear victory (what ever that is to them.)
o Arafat (Palestinian leader, recently died)- portrayed himself as a fighter
to try and continue warrior image he had created for himself, but he
was, by any definition, a terrorist too. Evidence was found of this in his
headquarters by Israelis (some controversy over whether this evidence
was ‘found’ on purpose to maintain image he was supporting the
radical ideas?)
What have the attempted solutions been? (e.g. To Suicide Bombers)
 An eye for an eye- attack back! Jewish belief- cultural. Solutions to terrorism
is to fight back with same proportion = a form of Realpolitik (realistic, or
tough, politics)
 Negotiations- They talk ‘tough’ but are starting to make concessions e.g.
Sharon withdrawing troops. Diplomacy often works to produce more progressmore than in waging wars. Camp David was an attempt at negotiations in the
United States, they invited leaders to talk to one another. At the beginning
they would not even be in same room as each other, but eventually President
Carter got them laughing and joking with each other. Clinton attempted this
again most recently with some success. George Bush realised Israeli’s would
not try and get along with Arafat- his death may have helped Bush.
 Idea of a divide- idea of separating the areas with a wall through Palestine to
keep out Suicide Bombers- but this would divide urban centres in Palestine
from the Gaza strip. A free access road proposed between the areas to combat
issue of isolation of areas. Disputed by Palestinians.
 Palestinian solution to Israeli occupation has been an intifada (uprising) i.e.
throwing rocks at Israeli forces’ tanks and soldiers as an anguished protest.
This is often done by children; many innocent people get caught in the
crossfire. Tanks on patrol-is this really necessary? Are the Israeli’s being
heavy handed? This is something they are accused of, but they claim more of
their people die each year so they argue robust responses are necessary. The
West is generally critical.
 Arab states have fought Israel and have always losto Why is this? Is it US backing? – this is not quite true, the US back both
Israel and Arab states (cannot upset one side because of the oil) The
US often leaned on Israel to make concessions.
o Why does the US openly support Israel? This is partly due to the large
US Jewish lobby/population (But US policy is not driven by Jews!
There are Muslims, Christians etc in high positions in US as well.)Religion perhaps plays a part in politics but is not as overt as
suggested. American national interests come first, not religion.
 Bush and Blair’s plan for reforming Middle East is to democratize the Middle
East- starting with Iraq, and then perhaps Syria and Saudi Arabia should
follow which will put pressure on the other countries, like Kuwait and Yemen,
to follow.
o Why do they think this is best? Believe if the ‘normal’ people in the
Middle East are given a voice then they are less likely to turn towards
extremes (Link between 9/11 and Iraq War.) Problem with this is there
are some difficult assumptions- 1) that Iraq will end up a flourishing
democracy, 2) that other countries will follow, why would the ruling
elites just give up their power?
Once again the Seminar seems to have thrown up just as many questions as it has
answered, but has outlined the basics of the Middle East conflict.
Media Portrayal of war
o Iconography- iconic narratives not necessarily representative.
o Memorialisation- film, literature, war memorials, bereavement and loss,
museums and monuments etc. Used to be statues of leaders, but what about
the troops ( e.g. Nelson’s Column in Trafalgar square- the sailors story is
minimal at the bottom.)
o Middle East- people killed are memorialised as martyrs- Suicide Bombers
(events and parades where children dress up as suicide bombers.) Suicide
Bombers have posters put up, hailed as icons. Israelis, huge memorial in Israel
for Holocaust- define themselves as the persecuted.
Memorials, as physical spaces, ideas and texts, are powerful and pervasive. They
inform and influence the behaviour of many actors in the SW Asian drama.