| Title: | On Our Own: Unilateralism in Israeli-Policymaking |
| Citable URL: | http://hdl.handle.net/10427/35318 |
| Author: | Davis, John D. |
| Date: | 2006 |
| Citation: | Davis, John D.. "On Our Own: Unilateralism in Israeli-Policymaking." 2006. Tufts University. Digital Collections and Archives. Medford, MA. http://hdl.handle.net/10427/35318 Available from Tufts Digital Library, Digital Collections and Archives, Medford, MA. http://hdl.handle.net/10427/35318 |
| Rights: | http://dca.tufts.edu/ua/access/rights-creator.html |
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Abstract: Submitted in partial fulfillment of the degree Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. Abstract: Israeli policy-makers have turned towards unilateralism as opposed to bilateral diplomacy as a means to manage the security crisis stemming from the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This thesis seeks to analyze and present what type of Palestinian State would be in Israel's best interest and to analyze and present the benefits and costs of unilateralism versus other policy options such as diplomacy. Analytic models, including game theory, focused on case studies such as the Disengagement from Gaza and the terrorism of Hamas. In addition, opportunities and obstacles for mediation by the United States were analyzed and the leadership strategies and styles of Ariel Sharon were compared with those of Ehud Olmert. The conclusions drawn by this study are that to be effective from the Israeli perspective, a Palestinian State must not present a security threat, nor a demographic threat, and be permanent and stable. Unilateral policies can lead Israel closer to this end-state, including a long-term interim Palestinian State with Provisional Borders, but ultimately only bilateral negotiation will lead to a permanent two-state solution to the conflict.