Palestine – Israel Conflict
The Zionist Movement and the British Mandate in the Late 19th Century and Early 20th Century
The Zionist movement began in the latter half of the 19th century with the intention of establishing a Jewish homeland in Palestine, which at the time was a part of the Ottoman Empire.
During this time period, there was a surge in the immigration of Jews to Palestine, where they purchased land and established agricultural villages.
Following the conclusion of World War I, the League of Nations gave the United Kingdom the responsibility of governing Palestine, which entailed maintaining control over the Jewish and Arab inhabitants. As a result of the Jewish population’s efforts to build a Jewish homeland and the Arab population’s opposition to these efforts, tensions between both communities increased.
The Partition Plan of the United Nations (1947)
In 1947, as the final years of British colonial authority in Palestine were drawing to a close, the United Nations came out with a plan to resolve the issue by partitioning the land. The plan suggested the establishment of Jewish and Arab states on opposite sides of Palestine, as well as the internationalisation of Jerusalem.
The idea was approved by the leaders of the Jewish community, but it was rejected by the leaders of the Arab community, who saw it as an encroachment on their rights and sovereignty.
The refusal sparked bloodshed, which ultimately resulted in a civil war breaking out between the Jewish community and the Arab community.
The Arab-Israeli War of 1948, also known as the Nakba.
In May of 1948, Israel made public its intention to become an independent nation, which prompted the Arab states of Egypt, Jordan, Syria, and Iraq to invade Israel.
As a direct consequence of the war, Israel now exercises authority over not just a bigger section of the land that was given to it by the partition plan but also certain additional regions.
During the battle, hundreds of thousands of Palestinian Arabs were forced to flee their homes or were expelled from their communities. This event is referred to as the Nakba by Palestinians, who use it to define their experience of displacement and loss.
The Six-Day War in 1967
In 1967, Israel engaged in battle against numerous Arab nations, including Egypt, Jordan, and Syria, and emerged triumphant in a conflict that lasted only six days.
As a direct consequence of this, Israel was able to acquire control of the Gaza Strip, the Golan Heights, the Sinai Peninsula, and the West Bank. This includes East Jerusalem.
The geopolitical environment was drastically transformed as a result of this battle, and the Israeli-Palestinian issue became even more convoluted.
The Settlements in Israel
The development of Israeli settlements in occupied territory (the West Bank and the Gaza Strip) has been a major source of dispute in recent years.
Palestinians and a significant portion of the world community consider these settlements to be in violation of international law and to be an impediment to the achievement of peace.
The Accords of Oslo
The signing of the Oslo Accords at the beginning of the 1990s marked a crucial step in the process of making peace in the world. These agreements sought to lay the groundwork for a gradual transition of Palestinian authority in the West Bank and Gaza Strip into the hands of the Palestinian people.
However, the ultimate status issues, including as those concerning borders, Jerusalem, and refugees, were not settled, which led to continuous tensions in the region.
The Conflict in Gaza
Since 2007, when the Palestinian political and military organisation Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip, that territory has been the site of multiple wars with Israel.
These battles have led to casualties and destruction, including the implementation of an Israeli blockade on Gaza, with the justification being that Israel is concerned for the region’s safety.
The current situation in Jerusalem
The status of Jerusalem is one of the most hotly debated topics. It is a city that is claimed as the capital of both Israel and Palestine.
The status of Jerusalem continues to be a contentious and highly charged topic, with its ultimate resolution being left up to the outcome of further discussions.
The Problem of Refugees
The problem of Palestinian refugees who were driven from their homes or forced to flee during the war in 1948 and later conflicts continues to be a major source of concern.
The Palestinians are pushing for the right to return to their family homes, which is a contentious subject for both the Israelis and the Palestinians.
Participation in International Affair
The United States of America and other members of the international community have been actively involved in mediating the ongoing peace efforts.
Due to the complexities of the situation and the deeply held grudges on both sides, numerous peace initiatives, summits, and diplomatic efforts have been made, but a long-lasting resolution has not been achieved despite these efforts.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is marked by a long and complicated past, as well as deep-seated historical, religious, and nationalistic tensions. This struggle has been going on for a very long time. The dispute continues to be a major source of instability in the Middle East, with periodic flare-ups and ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at finding a solution, despite the fact that there have been different attempts to seek a peaceful conclusion to the conflict.
