This article discusses how power dynamics, national interests and security concerns determine the Palestine-Israel conflict, through the two sides’ actions. The study draws on principles of realist thought, including the sovereign voice of the state, the balance of power and self help in evaluating historical and contemporary motivating forces for the conflict. This examines the link between Israel’s efforts for territorial security and Palestinian pursuit of statehood as being predicated on opposite national interests. The article makes use of secondary sources and uses a qualitative analysis to show the importance of military strength, alliances and regional instability. The pragmatic lens of realist perspective helps explain the persistent deadlock because both parties care extremely about survival and self interest and not willing to cooperate. In the end, the article makes the argument that any lasting peace in the region cannot be addressed without resolving these core realist concerns.