Nigeria’s Foreign Policy and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: A Perspective
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of Nigeria’s foreign policy behavior on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict of 1999- 2018. Specifically, the study is an attempt to highlight the various factors that have influenced Nigeria’s foreign policy on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In addition, it examines the political foundations as well as the implications of Nigeria’s foreign policy on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Snyder’s Comprehensive (Internal and External Settings) Model was utilized as a framework of analysis. The study found that Nigeria’s foreign policy on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been partisan and not that of neutrality as some scholars and even citizens are meant to believe and that Nigeria’s foreign policy on the conflict has been influenced by the perception and ideology of the successive Nigerian government and its policy makers. It equally discovered that the domestic political structure of Nigeria has also influenced the policy responses of the Nigerian government on the conflict. It is recommended that the Nigerian government and decision makers can initiate an African Peace Committee to mediate on the Israeli -Palestinian conflict. The concert of medium powers if initiated can ensure the neutrality of Nigeria’s foreign policy on the Israeli- Palestinian conflict. Also, the John Burton’s strategy on conflict resolution was recommended in resolving the conflict. Keywords: Foreign Policy, Conflict, Politics, Israeli-Palestinian..