One step forward or two steps back? Unilateralism and Israel's Gaza disengagement in the eyes of the world

Abstract

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's unilateral disengagement from the Gaza Strip was a pivotal event not only in the development of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, but also in Israel's domestic political discourse. Yet the act of withdrawal, which is seen by some in Israel as a misguided attempt to advance peace, or at least separation, is interpreted very differently abroad. This article evaluates the various narratives that emerged about the motives for disengagement, seeking to understand why diverging narratives arose. It also addresses broader theoretical questions about the use of unilateralism, particularly in the context of conflict resolution.