A possible essay plan on Israel and the Palestinians

What are the main questions that need to be resolved in the search for a lasting peace settlement between Israel and the Palestinians?

Introduction: Start with a reference to one or two recent developments relating to the question to show you are up to date on the issue. Then give reasons why a lasting peace settlement is important to the international community/a war in the area could affect oil supplies and spread across the Middle East/this unresolved conflict conditions the way the West is seen in the Arab world (and perhaps in the Muslim world in general/ resolving this 70year-old problem would give the international community much-needed renewed confidence in the UN's ability to address such challenges.

Line of argument: This essay will argue that it is difficult to see how negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians can be successfully launched at the present time and even more difficult to see how the major questions on the table can be settled given the lack of political and public willingness on both sides to compromise.

Then set out the preconditions demanded for negotiations between the two sides / a cessation of all hostilities / a halt to settlement-building? / the recognition of Israel as a Jewish state? / and others such as a good-will release of political prisoners and freer movement on the West Bank? / Above all, widespread popular support for negotiating a peace settlement. Discuss which groups would represent the two sides at the start and as they go forward and if other states should be involved.

The main questions: borders (this would include the settlements issue and the Israeli defense barrier / the status of Jerusalem connected again to borders / the right of return / a viable and independent Palestinian state, the defense barrier and a full Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank / guarantees for future security in the area, the defense barrier and acceptance by all Palestinian groups. The problems related to each of these topics.

An assessment of the chances for peace at the moment. Were we nearer 20 years ago? Is there widespread support on the two sides for such an initiative? Link back to the start by looking at where the question is on the international agenda.