How has Arab rejection of the state of Israel contributed to the ongoing conflict?

Answer 1

When countries have disputes, in many cases their representatives sit down and discuss the issues, enabling compromise or at least a civilized disagreement. But when they refuse to even accept the very existence of their perceived enemy, the hostility can remain indefinitely, causing problems for both sides, and making war a realistic scenario. Take for example the case of the two Koreas.

Arab rejection of Israel has forced Israel to highly militarize itself in an effort to ward off its own eradication at the hands of those who have loudly called for its destruction. This contributes to the regional arms race.

Arab rejection of Israel has also been translated into thousands of attacks against Israel over the last seven decades, against which Israel defends itself, and these events become an ongoing vicious cycle.

• When Israel's neighbors have pursued a policy of discussion and debate, solutions have been implemented, not only argued over. Israel pulled out of Sinai and gained a peace treaty with Egypt. A very cold peace, but a strategic and useful one, benefiting both sides.
• Israel made border-adjustments and water concessions to Jordan, and gained another cold but useful peace.
• The same process brought a treaty in May 17, 1983 with Lebanon but it was blocked by Syria.
• The same process was almost completed by Rabin and Arafat in 2000. They were at the treaty-signing table, having hammered out all the details. Then Yasser Arafat pulled out of the ceremony, and initiated the Second Intifada, loading the "Karin A" ship with tons of weapons for terror-use.

Israel acknowledges that its existence is viewed as a problem by some, and certainly many of its actions are seen as such. Why not negotiate? Why doesn't Hamas, or Hizbollah, agree to hold talks?

Answer: Because then they'd be called upon to change their official stance (as Egypt did), which does not recognize Israel at all. They don't want to do that, so negotiations are scuttled before they can begin.

Answer 2

When countries have disputes, in many cases their representatives sit down and discuss the issues, enabling compromise or at least a civilized disagreement. But when they refuse to even accept the very existence of their perceived enemy, the hostility can remain indefinitely, causing problems for both sides, and making war a realistic scenario. Take for example the case of the two Koreas.

Arab rejection of Israel has forced Israel to highly militarize itself in an effort to ward off its own eradication at the hands of those who have loudly called for its destruction. This contributes to the regional arms race.

Arab rejection of Israel has also been translated into thousands of attacks against Israel over the last seven decades, against which Israel defends itself, and these events become an ongoing vicious cycle.

• When Israel's neighbors have pursued a policy of discussion and debate, solutions have been implemented, not only argued over. Israel pulled out of Sinai and gained a peace treaty with Egypt. A very cold peace, but a strategic and useful one, benefiting both sides.
  
• Israel made border-adjustments and water concessions to Jordan, and gained another cold but useful peace.
  
• The same process brought a treaty in May 17, 1983 with Lebanon but it was blocked by Syria.
  
• The same process was almost completed by Rabin and Arafat in 2000. They were at the treaty-signing table, having hammered out all the details. Then Yasser Arafat pulled out of the ceremony, and initiated the Second Intifada, loading the "Karin A" ship with tons of weapons for terror-use.

Israel acknowledges that its existence is viewed as a problem by some, and certainly many of its actions are seen as such. Why not negotiate? Why doesn't Hamas, or Hizbollah, agree to hold talks?

Answer: Because then they'd be called upon to change their official stance (as Egypt did), which does not recognize Israel at all. They don't want to do that, so negotiations are scuttled before they can begin.

See also the Related Links.

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