INTERNATIONAL LEGAL ASPECTS OF THE CONFLICT BETWEEN ISRAEL AND PALESTINE

The conflict between Israel and Palestine is of great importance for the international order in general and of particular importance for Russia. The article describes the chronology of the conflict, its main aspects and their assessment by specialists in the field of international law. The author, in particular, analyzes problems concerning the right of Palestinians and Jews to self-determination, the statehood of Palestine, the legal regime of Israeli occupation, legitimacy of the construction of Israeli settlements, the status of Jerusalem, the «right to return» of Palestinian refugees, distribution of water resources, the fight against terrorism and legitimacy of Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip. The author lists conceivable solutions of the conflict (using one of the basic international documents, exercising the right to self-determination, conducting new negotiations, referring the dispute to a third party, unilateral power measures) and takes them with a grain of salt. He proposes to abandon for a while the attempts to work out a full and final solution and instead focus on the development of a peaceful strategy. This strategy involves establishment of a permanent political body, reduction of tensions between the parties, ensuring information transparency, fragmentation of the conflict and adjustment of legal practices. Russia should be more attentive towards the conflict, formulate constructive proposals and expand its political and cultural influence in the Middle East.