Compromise on Jerusalem
Abstract
At the July 2000 Camp David Peace talks, in a hurried attempt to make peace, Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak pressed forward with eleventh-hour negotiations on many of the key issues that separate both sides. Despite last minute offers and attempts at compromise, the talks failed. The tenuous peace between the Israelis and Palestinians unraveled, and once again, both sides are locked in violent conflict. The potential for this renewed violence to destabilize the region is real and significant. It presents a threat not only to Middle East security but to U.S. national security as well. Of the key issues that stand in the way of lasting peace in the Middle East, perhaps the most difficult and divisive one is that of control over Jerusalem. Not only do both sides have historical, religious, cultural and national interests in the city, other Middle Eastern nations and actors do as well. Regional stability notwithstanding, reaching a satisfactory solution on Jerusalem is also of interest to many in the international community. This paper outlines the issue of sovereignty over Jerusalem, examines the viability of several possible solutions, and proposes a way ahead for compromise.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 26, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA441675
Entities
People
- Peter J. Streng
Organizations
- National War College