In the 28,000 days of conflict between israel and Palestine, the dynamics can be interpreted through various lenses—historical, sociopolitical, and economic. One such lens is that of game theory, particularly the concept of a Zero-sum Game.
According to the general definition, a zero-sum game is a situation in mathematical game theory where each participant’s gain or loss is exactly balanced by the losses or gains of the other participants. If the total gains of the participants are added up, and the total losses are subtracted, they will sum to zero.
israel and Palestine: A Zero-Sum Framework
In the context of the israeli-Palestinian conflict, applying the zero-sum game theory it becomes clear that gains by israel must be direct losses by Palestine, and that potential losses to israel shall be labeled as ‘anti-semitism‘ or ‘terrorism.’ This framework can be used to analyze various aspects of the conflict, particularly those relating to land, sovereignty, and national identity.
1. Land and Settlements: One of the most contentious issues is the establishment and expansion of israeli settlements in territories claimed by both israel and Palestine. From a zero-sum perspective, every expansion of israeli settlements is viewed not just as a gain for israel in terms of land but also as a corresponding loss for the Palestinians, diminishing their territorial holdings and impacting their aspirations for statehood.
2. Political Sovereignty: The quest for international recognition and legitimacy plays out similarly. israel’s diplomatic gains, which often come through international negotiations and alignments, can be seen as setbacks for the Palestinian authority in their own quest for statehood recognition. The zero-sum nature of this aspect of the conflict is highlighted in international forums such as the United Nations, where diplomatic victories for one side often feel like defeats to the other.
3. Security and Power Dynamics: Security measures taken by israel, such as the construction of barriers, security checkpoints, and the enforcement of strict regulations over Palestinian territories, have been deemed as ‘apartheid’ by South Africa, and are often seen by Palestinians as measures that restrict their freedom and autonomy—another reflection of the zero-sum nature of the conflict.
Palestine as the ‘Fictitious Player’
In this theoretical framework, Palestine is the “fictitious player” who inherently ends up with the negative sum of all israeli gains. This perspective posits that the structure of the conflict and the negotiations are set up in such a way that israeli gains (in terms of land, security, and international standing) directly translate to Palestinian losses. This interpretation underscores that the peace process and ongoing negotiations are skewed or imbalanced.
Conclusion
Zero-sum game theory provides a powerful lens to analyze the dynamics of the israeli hegemony and dominance of its neighbor, it particularly highlights how israel’s strategies may be characterized by a zero-sum approach—where gains for israel come at direct losses to Palestine.
This perspective is crucial for understanding the aggressive nature of israel and the strategy that perpetuates it. Recognizing this framework is important; thanks to its ability to explain the strategic calculations at play.
To achieve a durable peace, it will be essential to shift away from these zero-sum tactics to strategies that promote shared benefits and cooperative gains, suggesting a more complex, integrative approach to resolving the conflict.
