Use the table and your understanding about the Oslo accords to answer the following questions:
• What were some of the reasons for Israel’s five major wars?
• What were the results of the wars? What explains the results?
• What was the role of the UN during these conflicts?
• Why did Israel and the PLO seek peace in 1993?
In thinking about these questions, what are the challenges to achieving peace in the Middle East and how might peace be achieved? What are the implications of ongoing Middle East conflict for world affairs?
Some of the reasons for Israel's five major wars include border disputes, security concerns, Arab rejection of Israel's existence, and strategic interests in the region. The results of the wars varied, but generally involved territorial gains for Israel, as well as changes in the balance of power in the region. The results can be explained by a combination of military strength, diplomatic maneuvering, and international support.
The role of the UN during these conflicts has been to try and mediate and broker ceasefires, as well as provide humanitarian assistance to those affected by the conflicts. However, the UN has often been limited in its effectiveness due to political divisions and veto power in the Security Council.
Israel and the PLO sought peace in 1993 through the Oslo Accords in an effort to end the cycle of violence and find a political solution to the conflict. Both sides recognized the need to negotiate and make compromises in order to achieve lasting peace and security.
The challenges to achieving peace in the Middle East include deep-seated historical grievances, ongoing security concerns, competing claims to land and resources, and political extremism on both sides. Peace might be achieved through sustained diplomatic efforts, confidence-building measures, and a commitment to compromise and reconciliation.
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has wide-ranging implications for world affairs, including regional stability, global security, and humanitarian crises. It also impacts international relations, alliances, and multilateral institutions. Resolving the conflict in the Middle East is crucial for promoting peace and prosperity in the region and beyond.