Israel-Palestine Conflict –Origin, Causes & Possible Solution

The conflict between Israel and Palestine is one of the longest-running and most complex in the world. It has its roots in a colonial act carried out more than a century ago, when Britain promised to establish a national home for the Jewish people in Palestine, a land where the majority of the population was Arab. Since then, the two sides have fought several wars, endured multiple uprisings, and witnessed countless acts of violence and suffering. In this short article, I will try to explain the main events and issues that have shaped the history of the Israel-Palestine issue and why it has not been solved from years.

The Balfour Declaration and the British Mandate

The origin of the conflict can be traced back to 1917, when Britain's foreign secretary, Arthur Balfour, wrote a letter to Lionel Walter Rothschild, a leader of the British Jewish community, declaring that the British government supported "the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people". This letter, known as the Balfour Declaration, was seen by the Zionist movement as a major achievement in their quest to create a Jewish state in their ancestral homeland. However, the declaration also stated that nothing should be done to prejudice the rights of the existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine, or the rights and political status of Jews in any other country. This clause was largely ignored by both Britain and the Zionist movement, who proceeded to facilitate mass Jewish immigration to Palestine, especially after the rise of Nazism in Europe.

Palestine at that time was part of the Ottoman Empire, which collapsed after World War I. Britain obtained a mandate from the League of Nations to administer Palestine until it was ready for independence. However, Britain soon faced resistance from both the Arab and Jewish communities, who had different aspirations and grievances. The Arab population, who made up more than 90 percent of Palestine's inhabitants, opposed the Balfour Declaration and the influx of Jewish settlers, who they feared would displace them from their lands and rights. They also demanded national self-determination and independence from Britain. The Jewish population, who increased from about 60,000 in 1918 to about 600,000 in 1947, sought to establish a Jewish state in Palestine, or at least a large part of it. They also faced discrimination and persecution from some Arab groups, who saw them as invaders and colonizers.

The British tried to balance the conflicting demands of both sides, but failed to satisfy either. They issued several proposals to partition Palestine into separate Arab and Jewish states, or to create a federal or binational state, but none of them were accepted by both parties. They also tried to limit Jewish immigration and land purchases, but faced opposition from both the Zionist movement and Nazi Germany. The British mandate became increasingly untenable as violence escalated between Arabs and Jews, as well as against British forces. In 1947, Britain decided to end its mandate and referred the question of Palestine's future to the United Nations.

The Partition Plan and the War of 1948

In November 1947, the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 181, which recommended the partition of Palestine into two states: one Jewish and one Arab, with Jerusalem under international control. The plan allocated about 56 percent of Palestine's territory to the Jewish state and about 43 percent to the Arab state, with about 1 percent for Jerusalem.

The plan was accepted by the majority of the Jewish community in Palestine, who saw it as a historic opportunity to realize their national aspirations. However, it was rejected by most of the Arab community in Palestine, as well as by neighboring Arab states, who considered it unfair and unjust. They argued that it violated their right to self-determination and gave more land to a minority population that had mostly arrived recently.

As soon as the resolution was passed, violence erupted between Arabs and Jews in Palestine. The British announced their withdrawal by May 15, 1948. On May 14, 1948, David Ben-Gurion declared the establishment of the State of Israel. The next day, five Arab countries (Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq) invaded Israel with the aim of destroying it and restoring Palestinian sovereignty.

The war lasted until 1949 and resulted in a decisive victory for Israel. It expanded its territory beyond the partition plan boundaries by about 50 percent. It also captured West Jerusalem and made it its capital. About 700,000 Palestinians fled or were expelled from their homes during or after the war. Most of them ended up in refugee camps in neighboring countries or in Gaza Strip or West Bank (which were occupied by Egypt and Jordan respectively). These refugees became known as "Palestinian refugees" and their right to return became one of the core issues of the conflict. The war also created a large number of Jewish refugees from Arab countries, who faced persecution and expulsion. Most of them immigrated to Israel, where they became a significant part of its population and culture.

The war of 1948 is known by different names by different parties. The Israelis call it the War of Independence, as they see it as the birth of their state and the fulfilment of their national dream. The Palestinians call it the Nakba, which means "the catastrophe", as they see it as the loss of their homeland and the beginning of their dispossession and displacement.

The Armistice Agreements and the Suez Crisis

In 1949, Israel signed armistice agreements with Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon, which established ceasefire lines and demilitarized zones. These lines became known as the "Green Line" or the "1949 Armistice Line". They were not intended to be permanent borders, but rather interim arrangements until a final peace settlement could be reached.

However, no such settlement was achieved in the following years. Instead, the conflict continued in various forms, such as border clashes, guerrilla raids, terrorist attacks and diplomatic confrontations. The Arab states refused to recognize Israel's existence or its right to exist. They also maintained a state of war and an economic boycott against it. They demanded the return of the Palestinian refugees and the establishment of a Palestinian state in all of Palestine or at least in the territories occupied by Israel in 1948.

Israel, on the other hand, refused to withdraw from the territories it captured in 1948 or to allow the return of the Palestinian refugees. It also sought to consolidate its control over these territories by building settlements, roads and infrastructure. It claimed that these territories were vital for its security and survival. It also sought to gain international recognition and legitimacy for its statehood and borders.

In 1956, a major crisis erupted when Egypt's president Gamal Abdel Nasser nationalized the Suez Canal, which was controlled by Britain and France. This move threatened Israel's access to the Red Sea and its trade with Asia and Africa. Israel joined forces with Britain and France in a secret plan to invade Egypt and regain control of the canal. The plan succeeded militarily, but failed politically, as it faced strong opposition from the United States and the Soviet Union, who pressured Israel, Britain and France to withdraw from Egypt.

The Suez Crisis marked a turning point in the regional and international dynamics of the conflict. It demonstrated Israel's military superiority over its Arab neighbors and its alliance with Western powers. It also showed Egypt's defiance of colonialism and its leadership role in the Arab world. It also increased the involvement of the United States and the Soviet Union in the Middle East affairs, as they competed for influence and interests in the region.

The Six-Day War and the Occupation

In 1967, another war broke out between Israel and its Arab neighbors. The war was triggered by a series of events that increased tensions and mistrust between the parties. These events included: Egypt's closure of the Straits of Tiran to Israeli shipping; Egypt's expulsion of UN peacekeepers from Sinai; Egypt's mobilization of troops along Israel's border; Syria's shelling of Israeli settlements in Galilee; Jordan's signing of a defense pact with Egypt; Israel's warning that any attack on its territory would be met with a devastating response.

On June 5, 1967, Israel launched a pre-emptive strike against Egypt's air force, destroying most of it on the ground. It then attacked Jordanian, Syrian and Iraqi forces on three fronts: Sinai, West Bank and Golan Heights. In six days, Israel defeated all its enemies and occupied vast territories: Gaza Strip and Sinai from Egypt; West Bank (including East Jerusalem) from Jordan; Golan Heights from Syria.

The war was a stunning victory for Israel, but also a disaster for the Arab world. It resulted in about 15,000 Arab casualties and about 800 Israeli casualties. It also displaced about 300,000 Palestinians from West Bank and Gaza Strip (in addition to those who fled or were expelled in 1948). It also changed the map and the nature of the conflict.

Israel now controlled almost all of historic Palestine (except for a small part that was annexed by Jordan in 1950). It also controlled strategic lands that increased its security buffer and its access to water resources. It also captured East Jerusalem, which it considered as its eternal and undivided capital. It also gained control over millions of Palestinians who lived under its military occupation.

The occupation posed new challenges and dilemmas for Israel. On one hand, it gave it more bargaining power in future negotiations with its Arab neighbors. On the other hand, it created legal, moral and demographic problems for its democracy and identity. How could Israel maintain its Jewish character while ruling over millions of non-Jewish people? How could Israel respect human rights while suppressing resistance and dissent? How could Israel reconcile its claim to land with international law and norms?

The Israel-Palestine issue is one of the most complex and long-standing conflicts in the world. It involves historical, religious, political, and territorial disputes that have been going on for decades. The latest escalation of violence between the two sides has been triggered by a surprise attack by Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that controls the Gaza Strip, on Israel on October 7, 2023.

In latest days Hamas launched thousands of rockets into Israel and sent fighters to infiltrate Israeli territory by land, sea, and air. The operation, dubbed "the Al-Aqsa Storm", was aimed at liberating Jerusalem and the Al-Aqsa Mosque, one of the holiest sites in Islam, from Israeli occupation. Hamas claimed that it was responding to Israeli aggression and oppression against the Palestinians, especially in Jerusalem and the West Bank.

Israel, which considers Hamas a terrorist organization, declared war on Hamas and retaliated with airstrikes and ground operations in Gaza. Israel said that it was defending its sovereignty and security from Hamas's aggression and that it would not stop until it restored deterrence and eliminated the threat from Gaza. Israel also accused Iran of being behind Hamas's attack and of supplying weapons and funds to the group.

The recent war has resulted in hundreds of casualties on both sides, mostly civilians, and widespread destruction and displacement in Gaza. The international community has expressed concern and condemnation over the violence and called for an immediate ceasefire and a return to negotiations. However, neither side seems willing to back down or compromise.

The USA and UK, which are close allies of Israel, have failed to solve this serious conflict for several reasons. First, they have limited influence over Hamas, which they do not recognize or engage with diplomatically. Second, they have faced criticism and opposition from other countries and actors in the region, such as Iran, Turkey, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the Arab League, which have different interests and agendas regarding the conflict. Third, they have faced domestic pressure and public opinion from their own citizens, especially from pro-Palestinian activists and human rights groups, who have accused them of being biased and complicit in Israel's violations of international law and human rights. The Israel-Palestine issue is unlikely to be resolved anytime soon unless there is a fundamental change in the political will and vision of both sides and their supporters. The conflict requires a comprehensive and lasting solution that addresses the core issues of borders, security, refugees, settlements, Jerusalem, and mutual recognition. Until then, the cycle of violence and suffering will continue.

The consequences of this war for the world are potentially grave. The conflict could destabilize the region and trigger a wider confrontation between Israel and its Arab neighbors, especially Iran, which supports Hamas and other militant groups opposed to Israel. The conflict could also undermine the prospects for a peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian issue, as it deepens the mistrust and hatred between the two peoples and erodes the support for moderate voices that seek dialogue and compromise. The conflict could also inflame tensions between different religious groups around the world, as it involves holy sites that are revered by Jews, Muslims and Christians alike. The conflict could also have humanitarian and environmental impacts, as it exposes millions of civilians to violence, deprivation and trauma, and damages vital infrastructure and natural resources.

The world has a responsibility to help end this war and prevent further escalation. The international community should pressure both sides to cease fire and resume negotiations based on international law and UN resolutions. The international community should also provide humanitarian aid and protection to those affected by the war, especially children, women and vulnerable groups. The international community should also support efforts to rebuild trust and cooperation between Israelis and Palestinians, as well as among different religious communities around the world. The international community should also promote a culture of peace and tolerance that respects human rights and dignity for all.

?Is there a Possible Solution??

The Palestine-Israel conflict is one of the most complex and protracted issues in the world, with a history of violence, mistrust, and failed peace efforts. Any conflict can be solved if there is a genuine effort by domestic as well as international actors to solve it. Many people have proposed different solutions to end the conflict, but one of the most widely discussed and supported is the two-state solution.

The two-state solution is a proposed framework for resolving the conflict by establishing two states for two peoples: Israel for the Jewish people and Palestine for the Palestinian people. This framework was formally adopted by Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in the 1993 Oslo Accords, which envisioned a phased process of negotiations, mutual recognition, security arrangements, and territorial withdrawals leading to the creation of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel.

However, the two-state solution has faced many challenges and obstacles over the years, such as the expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, the division of the Palestinian leadership between Fatah and Hamas, the outbreak of violent confrontations and wars, the lack of trust and political will on both sides, and the influence of regional and international actors. As a result, the prospects of achieving a two-state solution have diminished over time, and some argue that it is no longer viable or realistic. Nevertheless, some still believe that the two-state solution is the best or only way to ensure the national rights, security, and dignity of both Israelis and Palestinians. They point to the widespread international support for this framework, as well as the continued efforts by various actors to revive the peace process and address the core issues of the conflict, such as borders, Jerusalem, refugees, and security. For example, China recently called for an "immediate ceasefire" and reiterated its support for an independent Palestinian state after Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel that shattered regional stability. The United Nations Security Council also urged to push for the two-state solution with a sense of urgency. Russia said that creating a Palestinian state was the "most reliable" solution for peace in Israel and that fighting alone would not ensure security.

However, others contend that the two-state solution is outdated or unrealistic, and that alternative solutions should be explored or pursued. They argue that the conflict has no territorial solution due to the high population density, overlapping areas, and demographic changes in Israel-Palestine. They also claim that any attempt to partition the land or dismantle settlements would face fierce resistance or violence from both sides. Some of these alternatives include a one-state solution, a confederation model, a binational state, or a non-territorial autonomy arrangement.

In conclusion, there is no easy or definitive answer to what is the possible solution to solve this serious conflict of Palestine-Israel. The two-state solution has been the dominant paradigm for decades, but it has also faced many challenges and criticisms. Other solutions have been proposed or advocated by different groups or individuals, but they also have their own limitations and drawbacks. Ultimately, any solution would require political courage, compromise, and cooperation from both sides which Israel is not ready for at the moment, as well as support from regional and international actors are of crucial importance because taking sides won’t solve the issue rather it can ignite the war into regional dimensions which would kick start WW3.

“War is what happens when language fails.”― Margaret Atwood

Note: This article is for learning and better understanding of readers and sourced from open data available on the net. It contains personal views of the writer and should be taken as such.