Policy & Advocacy
Backgrounder on Israel and Palestine, January 2015
Backgrounder on Israel and Palestine, January 2015
The Holy Land is sacred to Jews, Christians, and Muslims but has endured generations of conflict that harm civilians and destabilize the region. U.S. diplomacy, including Secretary Kerry’s push, led to roughly nine months of talks that collapsed amid mutual provocations and policy disputes.
Collapse of talks and renewed violence
- Causes: Settlement expansion, Israel’s cancellation of a planned prisoner release, Palestine’s accession to international conventions, and announcement of a Hamas–Fatah unity government undermined negotiations in April 2014.
- Escalation: Kidnappings and murders of youths, mass arrests and searches in the West Bank, and reciprocal atrocities led to a summer 2014 outbreak between Hamas and Israel.
- Hostilities: Hamas rocket fire on Israeli population centers and a major Israeli military response produced heavy civilian casualties, especially in Gaza. The roughly 90-day conflict killed over 2,100 Gazans (mostly civilians) and dozens of Israelis. An August 26 ceasefire largely held but left deep wounds.
Humanitarian and structural impacts
- Gaza crisis: Repeated military operations and blockade devastated Gaza’s infrastructure and economy, producing severe poverty and warnings that the territory could become uninhabitable.
- Movement and access restrictions: Separation barrier routes, settlement growth, travel limits, and the blockade damage livelihoods, restrict access to holy sites, and intensify desperation that fuels violence.
- Local strains: East Jerusalem tensions over holy sites and political actions in Israel, including election timing, further stall peace prospects; Palestinian communities face limited improvements on the ground.
Political and financial consequences
- ICC membership: In January 2015 Palestine applied for ICC membership to enable complaints against Israel, a move criticized by the U.S. as potentially counterproductive.
- Financial risks: Proposals in the U.S. Congress to cut $400 million in PA aid and Israel’s withholding of tax transfers risk severe humanitarian consequences, could cripple PA functions, and undermine security coordination.
USCCB position and recommendations
- Principles: Peace must respect the human dignity and rights of both Israelis and Palestinians; both deserve security, dignity, and access to holy sites.
- Policy prescription: The USCCB and the Holy See endorse a two-state solution as the most realistic path to lasting peace. The U.S. and international partners should reengage with a balanced negotiation framework, avoid punitive aid cuts, maintain humanitarian and development assistance, support civil society and reconstruction, and promote intercommunal contact and religious freedom.
- The status quo is unsustainable and risks more unilateral actions and renewed violence. Renewed, balanced international engagement and sustained humanitarian support are urgent to preserve prospects for a viable two-state solution and to prevent further deterioration for both peoples.