Paper short abstract:

The peace agreement of 1993 was suppose to lead to a Palestinian state by the end of 1999. However, facts on the ground reflect otherwise. This research shed light on these facts and on the Palestinians opinions, feelings. In addition to their expectations of the formation of a Palestinian state.

Paper long abstract:

The peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians in 1993 was supposedly to lead to a Palestinian state on the major part of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip with East Jerusalem as its capital by the end of 1999. However, facts on the ground had its impact on the discourse of state formation in the mind of the Palestinians for many reasons. First, Israel annexed East Jerusalem and 64 square kilometers of its suburbs after the war of 1967. The Palestinians of the annexed areas were given a different civil status than those of its surroundings restricting their lives and dwelling practices such as where to live and whom to marry. Second; Israel implemented restrictions on the Palestinian free movement in March 1993 by the checkpoint regime and the permit system that allow only those who obtain a permit to enter Israel and East Jerusalem. In 2002, Israel started to construct a wall to fully separate Israel and East Jerusalem from the West Bank. The Wall divides between the Palestinian communities and many families were forced to relocate.

This article seeks to analyze the facts on the grounds' ability to undermine the Palestinian dream of a state. The study draws from existing secondary data, and then from the collection of life stories between 1967 and 2018. Through my informants' life stories, I shed light on Palestinians contemporary opinions, feelings and their expectations towards the formation of a Palestinian state.

Keywords: East Jerusalem, the Wall, Families and Displacement