Strategic Assessment

The article discusses the necessary connection between progress in a peace process and the existence of public legitimacy. It reviews the roles of different actors in reshaping the boundaries of legitimacy in the transition from a state of conflict to a peace-oriented situation, emphasizing the role and the power of the leader and the political leadership. The authors examine the conduct of Prime Minister Netanyahu and the third Netanyahu government in the 2013-2014 US-sponsored talks with the Palestinians, as well as their (in)actions to mobilize public legitimacy for the benefit of the peace process. The article concludes that not only was there no deliberate and coordinated action to mobilize public legitimacy, but that actions were taken that were intended to delegitimize the negotiations and the entire peace process.