There have been many obstacles to peace in the Middle East.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2021). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1] The Gaza strip is on the Mediterranean coast between Egypt and Israel.
2. [1] It is a self-governing Palestinian territory.
3. [1] It is claimed by the state of Palestine.
4. [1] It is governed by Hamas.
5. [1] It is under a US boycott.
6. [1] Because of an Israeli blockade its people cannot leave or enter.
7. [6] Hezbollah has been a significant problem for Israel due to its militant actions and explicit aim for Israel's destruction. The group has attacked Israel's border, engaged in cross-border incursions, and claimed Israeli territory such as gas fields. Notably, in 2006, Israel accused Hezbollah of abducting and killing three Israeli soldiers, leading to a full-scale war where Hezbollah fired thousands of rockets into Israel, and Israel invaded southern Lebanon. Hezbollah's refusal to recognize Israel's existence and its substantial rocket arsenal pose a continuous security threat.
8. [1] Hezbollah has attacked Israel's border and killed Israeli soldiers.
9. [1] Hezbollah has claimed gas fields in Israel.
10. [1] It has thousands of rockets stationed on the Israeli border.
11. [1] Hezbollah does not recognise Israel and has called for its destruction.
12. [10] Jewish settlements have been a more important obstacle to peace than demands for a Palestinian state. Israel has built these settlements on land occupied after the Six-Day War (West Bank, East Jerusalem, Golan Heights), which most countries and the UN consider illegal. They are a major obstacle because Israel claims them as legal and refuses to withdraw, making a two-state solution based on pre-1967 borders increasingly difficult and reducing the viability of a Palestinian state. Even the US has called for a halt to settlement expansion for peace. OR Demands for a Palestinian state have been a more important obstacle to peace. The PLO's long campaign, including guerrilla and terrorist tactics, often alienated potential supporters and made peace harder. Some Israelis argue that establishing a Palestinian state could create a breeding ground for groups like Hamas, complicating security. While many, including at times the US, believe peace is impossible without a Palestinian state, the methods and non-recognition by some Palestinian groups have complicated negotiations more than settlements.
13. [1] The settlements are built on Palestinian land.
14. [1] Palestinians demand that the settlements be destroyed before there can be a peace settlement.
15. [1] Israel claims the settlements are legal and refuses to withdraw from them.
16. [1] A possible land-swap solution has been suggested.
17. [1] The situation is made worse by Israel continuing to build more settlements.
18. [1] The PLO's tactics in trying to get a Palestinian state lost support and made peace more difficult.
19. [1] It did make peace more difficult because of Israel's objections to it.