Since the beginning of the 1990s a long series of peace talks have tried, to little success, to create peace

in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Various historical, social and political factors serve to perpetuate conflict and make peace elusive.

The dominant and most mainstream Palestinian leadership faction is the Fatah which is most open to the peace process. Fatah is the dominant party in the wider Palestinian Liberation Organization However smaller factions such as Hamas complicate the peace process, Hamas control Gaza as of 2006 and ejected Fatah from Gaza in June 2007 (leading to a split, Hamas in Gaza and Fatah in the West Bank). Hamas refuse to renounce violence nor accept Israel as a legitimate state (unlike Fatah) leading to little agreement and political alienation. Other smaller groups such as Palestinian Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine also refuse to acknowledge Israel's right to exist.

The Oslo Accords of 1993 were the biggest step towards peace at the time but the peace process broke down at then Prime Minister of Israel, Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated by a radical right Jew, unhappy with negotiating with Palestinians. Camp David talks in 2000 broke down when Arafat (Palestinian President) refused offers from Israel to cede much control to Palestine and Arafat refused to offer a counter-offer leading to the break down of talks. 2003 Road Map For Peace required that Israel dismantle recently built settlements and withdraw from recently occupied areas, while the Palestinians were to actively try and disrupt terrorist activities. Israel has failed to dismantle barely any settlements and has increased the size of some, Palestinians have done little to reduce violence and claim divided and resistant factions make policing impossible.

Israels coalition based political system means the right wing can hold the government to ransom as they are needed for a parliamentary majority. Thus making a unified message of peace difficult to convey or even create given the Zionist perspective. Lack of trust between Israelis and Palestinians, brought on by years of mistreatment, neither side is willing to accept the others word on agreements especially given either side rarely honour good will measures. The violence that goes on in the background to any peace talks creates an atmosphere of hopelessness, particularly now Hamas controls Gaza and clearly shows no commitment to peace building.

Continued tit for tat violence limits the possibility of peace. More often than not security prevails over peace in the eyes of the Israeli public. High profile events such as the Gaza Blockade and Gaza War in late 2008 serve to increase condemnation of Israel and lend fire to the Palestinian cause internationally. Likewise the aggressive actions of Israel turn the Palestinian population, particularly new generations, against them only serving to increase resentment and perpetuate conflict.

Arabic leaders and media outlets often call for the deaths of Jews, even Palestinian children's TV has been documented to try and indoctrinate Children into anti-semitism. Naturally this perpetuates distrust and violence as generations are doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past having been taught the same way. The Zionist cause is not based in rationalism but religion and as such is not open to debate, creating a bunker mentality where neither side is willing to back down. Particularly in regards to the issue of Settlements.

The latest attempts at peace talks in late 2010 were direct talks hosted by Obama between the Israeli and Palestinian leadership, the talks stalled when Netanyahu refused to extend a partial freeze on settlement building which had recently expired. Talks broke down shortly afterwards with no conclusion. January 16th this year, Israel announced plans for 1400 more settlement homes, another nail in the coffin for peace talks. A survey in April 2010 found 77% of Israelis opposed a freeze on settlements and 83% rejected Obamas efforts to pursue peace. Likewise Palestinian opinion was not dissimilar.