FOREIGN POLICY & IMMIGRATION »» CONFLICT RESOLUTION »» ISRAEL/PALESTINE »» Feb 05, 2024

For many decades, Israelis and Palestinians have waged a bitter and bloody struggle over land they both claim by historical right. In 2007, Israel instituted a blockade on the Gaza Strip and closed its border with Egypt. Since then, the Palestinian economy has been crippled by Israeli restrictions on its commercial trade and a ban on its exports, which had accounted for most of Gaza’s income. Most Palestinians now live below the poverty level of $2/day. At least 7 wars have been fought between these neighbors since 1987. These wars have often destroyed Gaza’s infrastructure and claimed the lives of thousands of Palestinian children and civilians. A smaller number of Israelis have also lost their lives. Results of one Palestinian poll showed mixed views on long-term peace prospects in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem. The two-state solution has lost some support amongst them, and only a small minority support a one-state solution encompassing Israelis and Palestinians with equal rights for all - or expect that Israel would ever agree to such an option. The current Israeli government firmly rejects a two-state solution to this crisis, but many analysts believe this is the only practical solution which could halt the endless violence. The last remaining option is continued subjugation. Each year, we provide Israel with $4 billion in military and economic aid while the Palestinians receive about $350 million in economic assistance. On Oct.7, 2023 the Palestinian terrorist organization Hamas breached the barriers between Israel and Gaza and brutally murdered 1,200 Israeli civilians, including very young children and the elderly. It is estimated that 240 Israelis were also kidnapped and taken into Gaza as hostages - about half of which have since been released. Israel’s defense forces responded to this terror attack with massive air strikes targeting Hamas by dropping 6,000 bombs in the first six days and destroying several densely populated neighborhoods in northern Gaza. More than 29,000 Palestinians, most of them women and at least 18,000 children have since been killed. It is estimated that more than 15,000 unguided “dumb” bombs have been dropped on Gaza, an act in which critics claim to be indiscriminate bombing. These mostly American-made bombs also include more than 500 of our 2,000-pound “bunker-busters.” Experts estimate the Israeli military campaign in Gaza is now among the deadliest and most destructive in recent history - surpassing the razing of Syria’s Aleppo, Ukraine’s Mariupol and the Allied bombing of Nazi Germany. This damage includes thousands of homes as well as 70% of schools, all hospitals, at least 110 mosques and churches, and countless businesses. Gazans are now experiencing acute shortages of food, water, medicine, fuel, and outbreaks disease. A small number of trucks have been allowed to transport an insufficient amount of these scarce goods to Palestinian civilians. Hamas has stated that the October attacks were in response to the Egyptian-Israel blockade on Gaza, continued illegal Israeli settlements and settler violence, the desecration of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, and restrictions on movement between Israel and Gaza - which has been a de facto prison camp for decades. Critics believe Hamas cannot be destroyed by Israel’s current actions without destroying the reason for its existence, saying Israel must accept a two-state solution and Palestinian statehood for Gaza and the West Bank. In a recent development the Biden administration is now considering recognizing a Palestinian state before it reaches a final, comprehensive deal with Israel to end the war in Gaza. Proposed Legislation: Reintroduction of H.R.5344 - Two-State Solution Act (117th Congress 2021-2022) Prospective Sponsor: Rep. Joaquin Castro (TX)