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Policy Commentary

Normative Canadian foreign policy towards consensus on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

 

ABSTRACT

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a source of much international division and fatigue. Regional and international institutions have become paralyzed by deadlock and most states have reached a sense of helplessness at resolving the conflict or influencing Israel. Although the conflict has been ongoing for decades, it continues to evolve and devastate the lives of civilians. What should Canadian policy be vis-à-vis Israel and Palestine? Is there a role for Canada in attempting to build bridges between interveners and contribute towards resolving the conflict? The United States has traditionally played a role of a biased mediator supporting Israel, a policy that Canada has tended to mirror. What are the different paths towards reaching an international consensus on how to intervene more effectively? This article examines Canadian foreign policy vis-à-vis Israel and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and proposes a more constructive role for Canada as a consensus builder and a potential role as an unbiased and inclusive mediator.

RÉSUMÉ

Le conflit israélo-palestinien est une source de grande fatigue internationale. Les institutions régionales et internationales sont paralysées par l'impasse et la plupart des États ont fini par éprouver un sentiment d'impuissance à résoudre le conflit ou à influencer Israël. Bien que le conflit dure depuis des décennies, il continue à évoluer et à dévaster des vies civiles. Quelle devrait-être la politique canadienne vis-à-vis d'Israël et de la Palestine ? Le Canada a-t-il un rôle à jouer pour tenter de jeter des ponts entre les intervenants et contribuer à la résolution du conflit ? Les États-Unis ont traditionnellement joué un rôle de médiateur partial pour soutenir Israël, une politique que le Canada a eu tendance à refléter. Quels sont les différentes voies pour parvenir à un consensus international sur la manière d'intervenir plus efficacement ? Cet article examine la politique étrangère canadienne vis-à-vis d'Israël et du conflit israélo-palestinien et propose un rôle plus constructif pour le Canada, en tant que créateur de consensus, et un rôle potentiel de médiateur impartial et inclusif.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Timea Spitka

Timea Spitka conducts research on intervention in violent conflicts, gender, Global Responsibility to Protect (R2P), children in conflict and human security. Dr. Spitka has also worked for several international organizations including for the United Nations and Oxfam in Europe and the Middle East.

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