Iran’s Role in Undermining the Israeli-Palestinian Peace Process
The Israeli-Palestinian peace process has been stalled for decades, despite several attempts to revive it through negotiations and agreements. One of the major obstacles to achieving a lasting and comprehensive peace is the role of Iran, which has been supporting and arming militant groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah, who oppose the existence of Israel and seek to establish an Islamic state in the region. Iran’s involvement in the conflict has not only increased the violence and suffering of the civilians on both sides, but also undermined the efforts of the moderate and pragmatic leaders who are willing to compromise and coexist.
Iran’s support for Hamas and Hezbollah dates back to the 1990s, when the PLO, led by Yasser Arafat, pursued peace efforts with Israel through the Oslo Accords. The Oslo Accords, signed in 1993 and 1995, were the first agreements that recognized the mutual right to exist of Israel and the Palestinians, and provided for Palestinian self-rule in parts of the West Bank and Gaza, as well as the framework for future negotiations on the final status issues, such as borders, settlements, refugees, and Jerusalem. The Oslo Accords were hailed as a historic breakthrough and a hopeful step towards ending the decades-long conflict.
However, Iran, along with other radical forces in the region, viewed the Oslo Accords as a betrayal of the Palestinian cause and a threat to its own interests and ideology. Iran, as a predominantly Shiite country, has been seeking to expand its influence and leadership in the Muslim world, especially after the 1979 Islamic Revolution that overthrew the US-backed Shah and established a theocratic regime. Iran also considers Israel as a usurper of Muslim lands and a proxy of the US, which it calls the “Great Satan”. Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, has repeatedly called for the elimination of Israel and the liberation of Palestine.
To achieve its goals, Iran has been providing financial, military, and political support to Hamas and Hezbollah, two Sunni Islamist movements that share its hostility towards Israel and the peace process. Hamas, founded in 1987 as the Palestinian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood, emerged during the first intifada uprising against the Israeli occupation. Hamas rejected the Oslo Accords and launched a campaign of suicide bombings and rocket attacks against Israel, aiming to derail the peace process and provoke a harsh Israeli response that would alienate the Palestinians from the PLO and the international community. Hamas also participated in the 2006 Palestinian elections, winning a majority of seats in the parliament and forming a government that was boycotted and isolated by Israel and the West, leading to a political and humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Hamas also fought a bloody civil war with Fatah, the main faction of the PLO, in 2007, resulting in the split of the Palestinian territories into two rival entities: Hamas-controlled Gaza and Fatah-controlled West Bank.
Hezbollah, on the other hand, is a Lebanese Shiite militia and political party that was formed in 1982 in response to the Israeli invasion of Lebanon. Hezbollah, backed by Iran and Syria, waged a guerrilla war against the Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon until 2000, when Israel withdrew its forces. Hezbollah also fought a 34-day war with Israel in 2006, after kidnapping two Israeli soldiers and launching rockets into northern Israel. Hezbollah, which has a strong presence in the Lebanese parliament and government, has been accused of undermining the sovereignty and stability of Lebanon, as well as interfering in the affairs of other countries in the region, such as Syria, Iraq, and Yemen. Hezbollah, like Hamas, opposes the peace process and the recognition of Israel, and advocates for the establishment of an Islamic state in the region.
Iran’s support for Hamas and Hezbollah has not only increased the security threats and challenges for Israel, but also weakened the prospects and incentives for peace. By providing Hamas and Hezbollah with weapons, training, and funds, Iran has enabled them to escalate their attacks and resistance against Israel, forcing Israel to respond with military force and defensive measures, such as the construction of the separation wall and the blockade of Gaza. These actions, in turn, have increased the suffering and frustration of the Palestinian people, who face poverty, unemployment, oppression, and violence on a daily basis. Moreover, Iran’s support for Hamas and Hezbollah has also undermined the legitimacy and authority of the moderate and pragmatic Palestinian leaders, such as Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority and the leader of Fatah, who have been pursuing a peaceful and diplomatic solution to the conflict. Abbas, who succeeded Arafat in 2004, has been engaged in several rounds of negotiations with Israel, most recently in 2013–2014, under the auspices of the US. However, these talks have failed to produce any tangible results, due to the lack of trust and goodwill between the parties, as well as the internal divisions and pressures within the Palestinian and Israeli societies. Abbas, who is now in his 16th year of a four-year term, has been facing growing criticism and discontent from his own people, who accuse him of being weak, corrupt, and ineffective. Abbas has also been unable to reconcile with Hamas and restore the unity and representation of the Palestinian people.
Iran’s role in undermining the peace process has also had negative implications for the regional and international stability and security. Iran’s support for Hamas and Hezbollah has contributed to the spread of extremism and terrorism in the Middle East, as well as the escalation of sectarian and proxy conflicts, such as the civil wars in Syria and Yemen. Iran’s involvement in the conflict has also increased the tensions and rivalries with other regional powers, such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkey, who have different interests and agendas in the region. Moreover, Iran’s support for Hamas and Hezbollah has also complicated the relations and negotiations with the US and the West, especially over the issue of Iran’s nuclear program, which Israel and its allies view as an existential threat. The US, under the Obama administration, reached a landmark deal with Iran in 2015, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which lifted the economic sanctions on Iran in exchange for limiting its nuclear activities. However, the deal was opposed by Israel and its allies, who argued that it did not address Iran’s ballistic missile program and its support for terrorism. The deal was also abandoned by the Trump administration in 2018, which reimposed the sanctions on Iran and adopted a “maximum pressure” policy to force Iran to renegotiate a more comprehensive and restrictive agreement. The Biden administration, however, has expressed its willingness to rejoin the deal, if Iran returns to compliance with its obligations. The fate of the deal, and the future of the US-Iran relations, remains uncertain and dependent on the outcome of the ongoing talks in Vienna.
In conclusion, Iran’s support for Hamas and Hezbollah has been one of the major factors that have hindered the progress and prospects of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Iran’s involvement in the conflict has not only increased the violence and suffering of the people on both sides, but also undermined the efforts and credibility of the moderate and pragmatic leaders who are willing to compromise and coexist. Iran’s role in the conflict has also had negative consequences for the regional and international stability and security, as it has fueled the spread of extremism and terrorism, the escalation of sectarian and proxy wars, and the tensions and rivalries among the key actors and stakeholders. Therefore, any attempt to revive and advance the peace process must take into account and address Iran’s role and interests, as well as those of the other regional and international players, who have a stake and influence in the outcome of the conflict.
