Israel-Palestine Conflict Overview

Common Myth

• Conflict often thought to be ancient, rooted in religious hatred.
• Reality: Conflict is about land claims, not centuries-old disputes.

Historical Background

• Early 1900s: Region under Ottoman rule, religiously diverse.
  • Mix of Muslims, Christians, and a small number of Jews.
• Rise of Palestinian identity: A distinct national identity emerges.
• Zionism in Europe: Jews begin to see Judaism as nationality deserving its own nation.

Events Leading to Conflict

• World War I Aftermath: Ottoman Empire collapses.
  • The British control the region, named the British Mandate for Palestine.
• Jewish Immigration: British initially allow Jewish immigration.
  • Tensions rise as Jews settle in, leading to violence.
• British Limitations: 1930s, British limit Jewish immigration.
  • Jewish militias form to fight Arabs and British.

World War II and UN Partition

• Post-Holocaust: Increased Jewish immigration to Palestine.
• UN Plan (1947): Proposes division into Jewish and Arab states.
  • Jerusalem as international zone.
• Jewish Acceptance & Arab Rejection: Jews declare independence as Israel.
  • Arabs see plan as colonialism and declare war.

Arab-Israeli War and Aftermath

• Israel wins, expands territory beyond UN plan.
  • Expels Palestinians, creating refugee crisis.
• Territories controlled: Israel, Gaza (Egypt), West Bank (Jordan).

Post-War Developments

• 1967 War: Israel seizes Golan Heights, West Bank, Gaza, Sinai Peninsula.
  • Begins occupation of Palestinian territories.
• Camp David Accords (1978): Peace between Israel and Egypt.
  • Israel returns Sinai.

Emergence of Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

• Settlements: Israelis move into occupied territories.
  • Settlements divide Palestinian land, hinder state formation.
• Intifadas: Palestinian uprisings against Israeli occupation.
  • First Intifada: 1980s, leads to Oslo Accords.
  • Second Intifada: Early 2000s, more violent.

Peace Efforts and Continued Conflict

• Oslo Accords: Attempt at peace, establishment of Palestinian Authority.
• Extremism and Violence: Both sides have extremists derailing peace.
  • Hamas forms, opposes compromise.

Current State

• Israeli Withdrawal from Gaza: Hamas gains control, leads to blockade.
• Continued Struggle: West Bank settlements, Gaza conflicts.
  • High Palestinian unemployment, periodic wars.
• Uncertain Future: Possible third Intifada, PA collapse.
  • Occupation seen as unstable, needing resolution.