Just three months of the assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Rabin, terrorists struck again, this time in the form of Suicide Bomber. In February 1996, a suicide bomb killed 25 people in Jerusalem and Ashkelon. This was claimed to be the work of Islamic (Arab) extremist group HAMAS (Arabic acronym meaning ‘Islamic Resistance Movement’, Harakat al-Muqawamah al-Islamiyya). HAMAS was formed in 1987 as an outgrowth of the Palestinian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood. They use both violent and political means (including terrorism) to pursue a goal of establishing an Islamic Palestinian state in Israel.
On hearing the news of the suicide bombing, the whole of the Jewish state were shocked and angered, similarly were the moderates of the Israeli nation. However, Israeli fundamentalists were pleased to hear of the news- this meant that they had ‘got one over’ on their opposition. This was another big blow to the peace deal – the Arab’s part of the agreement signifying peace had failed, Arafat had failed to stop terrorism. This lead to outrage between the two nations.
In May 1996, the Israeli elections took place, and chose Binyamin Netanyahu as their new Prime Minister; he made clear from the beginning of his term, that he strongly opposed parts of the peace deal. The Arab moderated were disappointed with this decision, as there was no longer anyone to look out for them, as the peace deal once signified, however the fundamentalists were pleased, as there was now nobody to fight, they believed that they have the land which was rightfully owed to them now. The majority of Jews felt unhappy about this election, they felt vulnerable to attacks now that they had elected an opposer of the Peace Deal.
The Peace Deal had now failed because of the election of opposition to the deal. This mirrored long term problems as the Israelis now wanted to hold onto ‘their’ land that they had battled for in previous wars.
Later on in the year, Israel opened a tourist tunnel, running through to Islam’s holiest shrine in Jerusalem. However Palestinians believed that it was Israel’s attempt to control Jerusalem. In September of the same year, violence broke out in the tunnel, leaving 55 dead. Arabs were annoyed with Netanyahu, as he was not following the Peace Deal, the Israelis now feared even more about security and peace within their own cities. This shows that the Peace Deal has yet again failed, it was agreed that the ownership of Jerusalem would be discussed, however this never happened, therefore Israel made that bridge to attempt to take it over. This is also linked to the 6 day war, in when the Jews took Jerusalem from the UN.
Ten months later, the terrorist group HAMAS struck again, this time killing 12 people with 2 suicide bombs. This left both moderates and fundamentalists from Israeli shocked at what had happened. Moderates from Palestine were also shocked; however fundamentalists were delighted at the continued violence. HAMAS’ aim was still to retrieve lost land in previous wars. The Peace Deal had still failing and was showing no sign of improvement.
October 1997 was the signing of the Wye agreement, this stated that Israel must withdraw a further 13.1% from the West Bank and release 2000 prisoners. 13.1% is just a fraction of the initial of land that was previously agreed in the Peace Deal. Palestinian President Arafat therefore agreed to crack down on terrorist group HAMAS. The Arab nation was disgusted by this agreement, as the amount of land that was given to them was just a fraction of what was first agreed they are, however, pleased at the release of the Palestinian prisoners by the Jews. The Jewish nation was pleased at Arafat’s promise to crack down on HAMAS, as that would stop most attacks, therefore making a more secure state. However they were not convinced over his influence he had over groups such as these. The 1993 Peace Deal had now failed, although attempts to salvage a new one had been made, it was nowhere near as good as the first – this caused a lot of conflict. This linked to the same argument that was usually presented – Arabs wanted to gain the land they lost, whilst the Jews wanted security.
Soon after, Israel saw Ehud Barak elected as new Prime Minister, he was seen to be a tough character, but also willing to compromise. This news was given a positive reaction by people from both nations, as hope of a new deal emerged. The new outlook from the Prime Minister made the new compromise look even more realistic, and the harsh, stubborn days of Netanyahu seemed to be forgotten.
By February 2000, negotiations between the two nations had frozen, as Israel was only willing to hand over 60% of the West Bank and none of Jerusalem, they also stated that no refugees would be allowed to return to Israel. Despite this lack of co-operation, moderates from both sides were pleased at the small movement towards peace. However, Arab fundamentalists were against this decision, as they wanted, and believed they deserved, the whole country. Similarly, Jewish fundamentalists were also not happy, as they were receiving nowhere near the amount of land that was originally promised. This slight compromise was a step towards the original peace deal, although there was still a long way to go. This was a development from the past wars, in which the West Bank was taken from the Jews, and Refugees were created in both 1948 and the 6 Day War.
The Israeli opposition leader Ariel Sharon, was accused of the massacre of Palestinian refugees. This lead to him being hated by Arabs. He fuelled their hatred in September 2000, when he visited a holy site, the al-Haram ash-Sharif, in Jerusalem. The visit was made in a bid to impress Jews, to show that he was strong and ‘in charge. This provoked anger within the Arabs, however Jewish fundamentalists were pleased at his move – this meant more conflict and fighting. On the day of and following his visit, there were massive street riots and violence, in which over hundreds of people were killed. This also led to both groups refusing to continue negotiations, therefore failing the peace deal once again. This event is linked to all of the long term problems that the two nations have suffered, including the 1948 War and the 6 Day War.
By December 2000, the Palestinian Uprising had continued, with over 200 people, almost all Arabs killed. Pictures of Arabs fighting unarmed on the street against armed Israeli soldiers, bombed houses, and a soldier pointing a gun at a small boy and his family (showing that they did not care what age or gender was murdered) materialised.
February 2001 began the elections for a new Israeli Prime Minister, in which Ariel Sharon was elected. He made it clear that he was completely against the peace process. This shattered hopes of the peace deal which saw the general public effectively voting against peace. This left the Palestinians fearful about their future, leaving what was seen as no chance for peace, this also saw the rise of terrorist group HAMAS once again. The Jewish moderated by now seem to have become fundamentalists, saying no to peace, this means that they are likely to back any army invasion of Palestinian territory. This event lead to the biggest worry over security since the 1948 war.
A wave of suicide bombings in December of that year claimed many lives, with HAMAS claiming responsibility. One suicide bombing occurred in a busy mall outside a café with large crowds of mostly young people. Ten people were killed in the blasts, all between the ages of 14 and 20, 19 were critically injured, with 28 others sustaining moderate injuries, the rest injured lightly. These terrorist attacks were, once again, greeted with disgust and dismay from the Jews and Arab moderates, however Arab fundamentalists were pleased by the attacks. Once again, this thwarted hopes of rekindling the Peace Deal. These bombings also reflect feeling from past wars and problems – that the Arabs should keep the land that they have, without any Jewish population.
By the end of 2001, the Israeli army had reoccupied most of the West Bank and war crimes against the Palestinians were said to be committed. This fuelled hatred that the Palestinians had for the Israelis; the moderates of the nation had turned into fundamentalists and now wanted revenge. This worried the Israelis, as winding up the Palestinians would result in a breach of security and, ultimately, more deaths. This signified total failure of 8 years work to carry out the Peace Deal, and the two nations seemed to be back to ‘square one’. The reoccupation of the West Bank showed how the Peace Deal had failed, as this was back to the days of the 6 Day War.
A double suicide bombing taking place in Haifa and Tel Aviv took place in March 2003. The Haifa bomb was detonated on a crowded bus, just as it was leaving a station, ripping it apart and killing 15 people. One man who was interviewed said "I turned round and saw a piece of flesh right beside me." These bombings sparked yet more anger and dispute between the two nations, seeing the Arabs pleased but the Jews shocked, this, once again, signified the fall of the Peace Deal.
On the 11th of November, 2004, the Palestinian President, Yasser Arafat, died aged 75. This was met by devastation from the Palestinians, who had lost their leader of many years, who had supported them through the Peace Deal and the breakdown of it. However, Israelis welcomed this news; Arafat was seen by these as a terrorist, who murdered thousands of their own race. This, again, signified the breakdown of the peace deal, now with none of the original negotiators alive, the deal seemed hopeless.
The newly elected Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, sent his security forces into the Gaza Strip, in the hope of curbing militant groups’ attacks on Israeli targets. He hoped that, if successful, he could begin a revival of the Middle East Peace Process. This pleased moderate Palestinians and Israelis however, angered fundamentalists from both nations, as moves towards peace and compromising had been made. This inspired them to fight back and continue the conflict. This move, echoes previous conflict of opposition forces moving in onto the same territory, this could spark either peace or violence.
To conclude, during my research I have discovered many factors that lead to the eventual breakdown of the 1993 Peace Deal. I believe that opposing opinions of the public lead to the demise of it. The assassination of Prime Minister Rabin echoes this. All of these events show how the people, and eventually governments and nations, refused to compromise their land in exchange for peace.
