Introduction

It is now time to look at the most important aspect of how the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as mediated by the United States and others, has influenced aid delivery to the PA and thus the PA's structures and operations from the Oslo Accords until after Hamas took power in the Gaza Strip (2007–13). Key to this, it is also important to examine the extent to which the securitisation and politicisation of foreign aid contributed to sustaining political and social divisions within Gaza and between the WB and Gaza. Although the ultimate focus of this book is directed towards Gaza, the discussion in this chapter will involve the situation in Palestine as a whole so as to properly address specific issues in Gaza.

The partner for peace framework has emerged following the Oslo peace process (1993). In the context of this chapter, this term is crucial to understand the dynamics surrounding foreign aid to the Palestinians and examine how this framework has been used to divide the Palestinian nation's polity according to their commitment to the workings of this framework. The application of the partner for peace framework assists an understanding of the terms ‘securitisation’ and ‘politicisation’ of aid in connection with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In this context, it is important to explore the kind of peace that was meant to be achieved, whether it is peace between the PA political and security leadership that does not include the Palestinian people or peace that is based on a security or an economic agenda. It is also important to examine the kind of partner needed to achieve this peace. Is it a political partner or a security agent that caters to Israel's security agenda? Is it a partner that maintains Israel's interest in sustaining the status quo of occupation? These questions are key for unpicking the existing political frameworks that contribute to deciding the legitimacy of the Palestinian partner and according to whose interests, whether donors seek a security agent or a development agent to maintain the flow of their aid and whether the ultimate purpose of this aid is to achieve development or maintain Israel's security.