Intractable intra-state conflicts are assumed to be rooted in non-negotiable issues central to human existence, like identity and human needs and common in weak states, while strong states with democratic governments are assumed to be most beneficial for ending these conflicts. There is a research gap regarding the negative role a strong state with a democratic government can play in these conflicts. The purpose of this study is to contribute to the knowledge base on intractable intra-state conflicts, by investigating the reverse relationship and raise awareness about the negative role a strong state can play in these conflicts. The study is done through the use of a new theoretical lens in this field of study. The research gap is looked at through Lukes´ three-dimensions of power, since it enables the study of negative effects of power, within democratic governments, on intractable intra-state conflicts. The study is an analytical desk study and a single case is studied through theory-oriented interpretation of texts to discover new connections between state strength and the intractability of some intra-state conflicts. The case studied is the government of Israel, and its negative role in the IsraeliPalestinian conflict, since it as opposed to most other countries in intractable intra-state conflicts has a strong state and democratic government. The findings indicate that a democratic government in a strong state can misuse its power through forced compliance, agenda-setting and ideological hegemony, which in turn can contribute to the intractability of intra-state conflicts when people resist oppression of issues central to human existence. People in these conflicts will benefit from the findings in this thesis, if policymakers in international organizations and foreign governments consider them and lessen their contribution to unequal power structures that benefit those who misuse power within governments.