THE ROLE OF INTERNATIONAL ACTORS IN THE PRESERVATION OR FAILURE OF PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST: A CASE ANALYSIS OF THE PALESTINE-IZRAEL CONFLICT

Abstract

This paper critically analyzes the complex role of international actors in either preserving or undermining peace in the Middle East, with a particular focus on the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. The analysis centers on how major powers (the United States, the European Union, Russia), international organizations (the United Nations), and Arab states have contributed to the dynamics of the conflict—either exacerbating it or marginally fostering the prospects for a just and sustainable peace. Through a review of contemporary literature and official documents, the paper highlights the ongoing tension between political retoric and realpolitik, as well as the double standards that characterize international intervention in this conflict. The findings show that the lack of an impartial approach toward the actors involved, diplomacy driven by strategic interests, and the failure to implement international law have severely undermined the legitimacy of the international order. The case of Palestine is treated as a symptom of the broader crisis of multilateralism and as a test case for the international community's capacity to uphold the principles of global justice, human rights, and self-determination. In conclusion, the paper emphasizes the need for a profound reform of the international peace and security architecture in order to create genuine conditions for a fair and inclusive resolution to the Palestinian issue.