Challenges of Palestinian Security Sector Reform: Blame Israeli Occupation or Internal Political Fragmentation?

Abstract

The debate on Security Sector Reform (SSR) in Palestine has emerged within the context of the peace process between Israel and Palestinians, in particular following the Oslo agreement in 1993. There are different perceptions of the significance and relevance of SSR in the Palestinian context, and these depend on ideological, political allegiances and interests of domestic, regional and international actors talking about SSR. Some blame the Israeli occupation and military activities and also the governance of the Palestinian security sector for the deterioration of internal security. Others consider that the SSR is an integral element of the process of state-building to allow the Palestinians to establish an effective authority over their territories. However, Israel and external actors like the United States and the European Union still look at Palestinian SSR as a means to confront “terror and violence” and to prevent the emergence of any dangers to Israel. Israeli occupation and internal political divisions described and analyzed in this article as major challenges for Palestinian SSR. In addition, this article argues that this reform is not an end in itself, but is a necessary and a fundamental element to achieve the Palestinian national project in terms of liberation and state-building.