The U.S. is in a sticky situation when it comes to negotiating peace between Israel and Palestine because it certainly isn’t an impartial party to the arrangement. Since WWII, Israel has been the largest cumulative recipient of U.S. foreign assistance with $104.5 billion in military aid and $34 billion in economic aid. Further, U.S. law requires that we maintain Israel’s “qualitative military edge.” The political nature of Israel in contrast to its Arab neighbors has been a strong reason for the U.S.’ involvement. When thinking of alternatives to the U.S. helping to broker this arrangement, I’m not sure who would be best suited for it. An international body like the U.N. certainly isn’t impartial to the Israeli-Palestinian situation either. Further, I think it would take an expert in both viewpoints/takes to be the bridge-maker at the table. I think it’d be worthwhile to see what conversations could look like without U.S. involvement.
