Why is the Israeli-Palestinian conflict important?

It is not as important as people think. A) It is not the root of all the problems in the Middle East. The Israel Palestine conflict is often presented as if it is the cause of all the problems in the Muslim world. read more

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a microcosm of the power-struggle between the political aims of the Soviet-backed Arab block and the U.S block. It is important because the side you come down on affects your ties with each party. read more

If a resolution of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict can be found, it would serve as a model for other trouble spots in the world. At a time when military conflicts are becoming increasingly destructive and when so many human needs are unmet, as nations spend large percentages of their wealth on weapons, it is essential that there be a reduction in wars and violence. read more

The answer has a number of levels, but the most important is this: The United States believes that if it can end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, its fraught relationship with the Muslim world will greatly improve, thereby allowing America to accomplish much that is currently eluding it in places like Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan, not to mention easing its role as the prime guarantor of Israel’s own security. read more