ISRAELI - PALESTINIAN CONFLICT

Why did the conflict happen?

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a deeply complicated and contentious issue, a historical

tapestry woven from threads of religious belief, ethnic identity, national aspiration, and
international geopolitics. Its roots can be traced back to multiple origins, each layered with its
own complexities. While it's tempting to try to find a single initiating event or a solitary cause,
doing so would oversimplify a conflict that has evolved over the course of more than a century.

Thus, here are the different dimensions that contributed to the growing dissent between these two
states: Ideological Movements, Colonial Policies, Demographic Changes, and the United Nations
Partition Plan for Palestine.

Ideological Movements

Zionism
Emerging in the context of 19th-century European nationalism and specifically among
Ashkenazi Jews of Central and Eastern Europe, Zionism proposed a solution to the "Jewish
Question" – the socio-political status of Jews in Europe.1 Theodor Herzl, often termed the father
of modern political Zionism, advanced this idea in his seminal text, "Der Judenstaat" (The
Jewish State, 1896). The first Zionist Congress in Basel, Switzerland (1897), solidified this
ideological movement into a political organization with goals and strategies.2 In conjunction,
these Zionist congresses advocated for a "Jewish homeland" as a refuge for Jews worldwide.
Zionism viewed Palestine as a return to the Jewish historical and biblical homeland.

Arab Nationalism
Concurrently, the Arab-speaking regions under Ottoman rule were undergoing a
socio-political transformation. Encounters with Western imperialism, coupled with discontent
against Ottoman centralization, birthed Arab nationalism.3 Key figures like Sharif Hussein of
Mecca envisioned an independent Arab state or confederation of states that would include
Palestine.

Colonial Policies

1
Halperin, L. (2015, January 9). Origins and Evolution of Zionism. Foreign Policy Research Institute.
Retrieved August 28, 2023, from https://www.fpri.org/article/2015/01/origins-and-evolution-of-zionism/
2
Stanislawski, M. (n.d.). Zionism: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford Academic. Retrieved August 28,
2023, from https://academic.oup.com/book/628/chapter-abstract/135334068?redirectedFrom=fulltext
3
Fieldhouse, D. (n.d.). The Decline of the Ottoman Empire in the Middle East and the ‘Arab Awakening’
before 1914. Oxford Academic. Retrieved August 28, 2023, from
https://academic.oup.com/book/2425/chapter-abstract/142651091?redirectedFrom=fulltext
Sykes-Picot Agreement
During World War I, the Allied powers sought to dismantle the Ottoman Empire, which
had aligned with Germany and Austria-Hungary. In anticipation of a victorious outcome, British
diplomat Sir Mark Sykes and French diplomat François Georges-Picot signed a secret agreement
in 1916 to partition Ottoman territories between Britain and France.4 This partitioning created
artificial divisions and lumped together various ethnic and religious groups under single
administrative entities.

● Northern Syria, Lebanon, and parts of Southeastern Turkey: Allocated to France.

● Jordan, Iraq, and a port in Haifa: Allocated to Britain.
● Palestine: Proposed as an international administration, but heavily influenced by Britain
and France.

When the Bolsheviks exposed the agreement in 1917, it led to profound Arab disillusionment, as
the agreement blatantly contradicted the Hussein-McMahon Correspondence in which Britain
had apparently supported Arab independence in exchange for their revolt against the Ottoman
Turks.

Implications of this agreement for the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Betrayal of Arab Aspirations: The Sykes-Picot Agreement can be viewed as a betrayal of Arab
nationalistic aspirations, including those in Palestine. The Arab Revolt of 1916-1918 against
Ottoman rule had been encouraged by British promises of independence for Arab lands,
including Palestine. The Sykes-Picot Agreement undercut those promises by perpetuating
European colonial control, and it arguably laid the groundwork for Arab mistrust of Western
powers—a sentiment that would later manifest in animosities related to the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict.

Contradictory Commitments: Around the same time as Sykes-Picot, the Balfour Declaration
committed Britain to the establishment of a "Jewish national home" in Palestine. These
competing, contradictory commitments to both Jews and Arabs set the stage for future conflict.

Geopolitical Complexity: The agreement introduced new geopolitical complexities by drawing

arbitrary borders and creating new political entities, some of which would later become involved
in the Arab-Israeli conflict. For example, the newly invented entity of Transjordan (later Jordan)
would later seize the West Bank during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War.

4
Lumen Learning (n.d.). Partition of the Ottoman Empire. Lumen Learning. Retrieved August 28, 2023,
from
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-fmcc-boundless-worldhistory/chapter/partition-of-the-ottoman-em
pire/
Internationalization of the Issue: The agreement cemented the role of external powers in the
region, initiating a trend of international involvement in its affairs. This internationalization has
been a consistent feature of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, complicating local resolutions with
global geopolitics.

In sum, the Sykes-Picot Agreement was a clandestine colonial arrangement that created
geopolitical structures and ethnic tensions that continue to reverberate in the Middle East. Its
disregard for Arab independence aspirations and its contradictory commitments set the stage for
the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The agreement is emblematic of the broader interplay of imperial
ambitions, nationalist movements, and geopolitical considerations that have characterized the
conflict since its inception.

The Balfour Declaration

The Balfour Declaration was a letter dated November 2, 1917, from British Foreign
Secretary Arthur James Balfour to Lord Walter Rothschild, a leader of the British Jewish
community.5 The letter stated:

"His Majesty's Government view with favour the establishment in Palestine of a national home
for the Jewish people, and will use their best endeavours to facilitate the achievement of this
object, it being clearly understood that nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and
religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine, or the rights and political status
enjoyed by Jews in any other country." 6

Motivations:

British Strategic Interests: Britain wanted to secure its interests in the region, particularly the
Suez Canal and routes to India.
World War I Alliances: At a time when World War I was not decisively won, Britain sought the
support of world Jewry, whom it perceived as influential.
Zionist Lobbying: The Zionist movement, particularly figures like Chaim Weizmann, had
successfully lobbied British policymakers.

Implications for the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

5
Rhett, M. (2019, July 18). Balfour Declaration. International Encyclopedia of the First World War.
Retrieved August 28, 2023, from
https://encyclopedia.1914-1918-online.net/article/balfour_declaration#:~:text=The%20Balfour%20Declarat
ion%2C%20issued%20on,Rothschild%20(1868%2D1937).
6
Al Tahhan, Z. (2018, November 2). More than a century on: The Balfour Declaration explained. Al
Jazeera. Retrieved August 28, 2023, from
https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2018/11/2/more-than-a-century-on-the-balfour-declaration-explained
Validation of Zionist Aspirations: The Balfour Declaration was the first significant validation of
Zionist goals by a major world power. This gave a considerable boost to the Zionist movement,
which had, until then, been primarily a grassroots movement.

Ambiguity and Dual Commitments: The declaration included the caveat that "nothing shall be
done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in
Palestine." This was inherently contradictory, given that the Zionist project would necessarily
involve the transformation of Palestine into a Jewish-majority state.

Palestinian Discontent: The Arab majority in Palestine viewed the Balfour Declaration as a
betrayal. The feeling that their homeland was promised to another people without their consent
fostered longstanding animosities. The Arab protests against Jewish immigration in the 1920s
and the Arab Revolts in the late 1930s can be directly linked to the discontent stemming from
this and subsequent British policies.

Colonial Overtones: The Balfour Declaration emanated from a colonial context where Britain
felt it had the right to allocate territories irrespective of native desires or majority demographic
realities. This has led to a reading of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through the prism of
settler-colonialism by some scholars and activists, a perspective that emphasizes the asymmetry
of power relations.

Demographic Changes

Jewish Immigration
Jewish immigration during the British Mandate period significantly altered the demographics of
Palestine. These immigration waves were fueled by anti-Semitic violence and discrimination in
Europe, peaking during and after WWII, with survivors of the Holocaust seeking refuge.

Arab Demographics
The Arab population also grew, albeit less dramatically, during this period. However, they
viewed the increased Jewish immigration and land purchases as direct threats to their existing
community and future sovereignty.

United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine

United Nations General Assembly Resolution 181, commonly referred to as the UN

Partition Plan for Palestine, is an indispensable element in any comprehensive analysis of the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The resolution, adopted on November 29, 1947, intended to partition
the British Mandate of Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states, with Jerusalem under
international administration. Its reverberations were immediate and remain a part of the conflict's
enduring legacy.7

Why was the partition needed?

End of British Mandate: By the end of World War II, Britain was no longer willing or able to
manage the conflicting nationalisms within Palestine. As a result, the issue was brought before
the newly established United Nations.8

Holocaust and Jewish Immigration: The tragedy of the Holocaust led to increased international
sympathy for the plight of Jews, as well as an uptick in Jewish immigration to Palestine,
intensifying tensions on the ground.

Provisions:

Jewish State: The Plan allocated approximately 56% of the land to a Jewish state. This included
much of the coastal plain and the Negev desert.

Arab State: Approximately 43% of the land was allocated for an Arab state, consisting mainly of
the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

Internationalization of Jerusalem: The city was to be administered by the UN due to its

religious and cultural significance.

Economic Union: The plan also proposed an economic union between the two states to manage
resources and trade.

Implications for the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Immediate Rejection and Conflict: The Arab states and Palestinian leaders rejected the partition
plan outright, viewing it as an imposition that legitimized the Zionist project at their expense.
The Jewish leadership, though not entirely satisfied, accepted the plan. The rejection led to the
1948 Arab-Israeli War, which resulted in the establishment of Israel and the displacement of
approximately 700,000 Palestinians, referred to as the Nakba ("catastrophe" in Arabic).9

7
United Nations (n.d.). Origins and Evolution of the Palestine Problem: 1917-1947. Retrieved August 28,
2023, from
https://www.un.org/unispal/history2/origins-and-evolution-of-the-palestine-problem/part-i-1917-1947/
8
United Nations (n.d.). Origins and Evolution of the Palestine Problem: 1917-1947. Retrieved August 28,
2023, from
https://www.un.org/unispal/history2/origins-and-evolution-of-the-palestine-problem/part-i-1917-1947/
9
United Nations (n.d.). Question of Palestine: Legal Aspects. Retrieved August 28, 2023, from
https://www.un.org/unispal/document/auto-insert-204960/
Territorial Issues: The territorial divisions proposed by the UN did not correspond to
demographic realities on the ground. Many of the territories allocated to the Jewish state had
significant Arab populations and vice versa.

Question of Legitimacy: For many Jews, the UN resolution provided a mantle of international
legitimacy to the Zionist project. For Palestinians and many in the Arab world, however, the
partition was seen as a continuation of colonial dispossession.

Creation of the Refugee Issue: The 1948 war led to a massive displacement of people, creating
a Palestinian refugee problem that remains unresolved to this day.

Jerusalem: The internationalization of Jerusalem never came to fruition due to the war. The city
was divided between Israel and Jordan until 1967, when it was entirely captured by Israel. The
status of Jerusalem remains one of the most contentious issues in the conflict.

Economic and Resource Questions: The proposed economic union never materialized, leading
to resource competition, especially over water, further complicating peace negotiations in
subsequent decades.

In a nutshell, the origins of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can be traced to a confluence of

historical, ideological, and geopolitical factors that long predate the 1948 Arab-Israeli War or
the 1967 Six-Day War. These roots are deeply entwined and have been further complicated by
subsequent events, making it one of the most intricate and divisive conflicts in modern history.

Who are the actors/states involved?

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is not limited to the interactions between Israelis and Palestinians
alone. It is a complex and multifaceted issue with historical, political, cultural, and religious
dimensions that extend beyond the borders of Israel and the Palestinian territories. This
complexity has made the conflict an international concern involving various countries and global
actors.

Many countries, particularly in Europe, were involved in the colonial era in the Middle East,
including the British Mandate over Palestine. These historical ties led to ongoing interest and
engagement in the region’s affairs. The region holds deep religious and cultural significance for
Jews, Muslims, and Christians. This has prompted religious communities and countries with
historical religious ties to engage in the conflict’s dynamics. Moreover, the conflict has resulted
in significant humanitarian challenges, including displacement, refugees, and access to basic
services. Many countries and international organizations are involved in providing aid and
addressing these humanitarian needs

The Israeli-Palestinian has garnered international attention and attention and involvement due to
its multifaceted nature and the efforts to find a resolution that balances the interests of both
parties. These are the countries that are involved and their roles:

1. Israel: Israel is at the center of the conflict, having been established as a Jewish state in
1948 in an area with significant Palestinian Arab population. Its actions and policies have
had a profound impact on the conflict’s evolution.
2. Palestinian Territories: The Palestinian territories, encompassing the West Bank and
Gaza Strip, are directly affected by the conflict. The Palestinian Authority governs parts
of the West Bank, while Hamas controls Gaza.10
3. Arab States: Several Arab countries have been involved due to ties to the Palestinian
cause and the conflict’s broader regional implications.
● Egypt: Played a role in peace negotiations, including the Camp David Accords
with Israel in 1978.11
● Jordan: Signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1994 and has participated in
diplomatic efforts.12
● Lebanon: Hosted Palestinian refugee camps and faced spillover from the
conflict.13
● Syria: Supported Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) activities and has
been involved due to regional geopolitical considerations.14

10
Jones, Arnold Hugh Martin. 2019. “Palestine | History, People, & Religion.” In Encyclopædia Britannica.
https://www.britannica.com/place/Palestine.
11
“Milestones: 1977–1980 - Office of the Historian.” n.d. History.state.gov.
https://history.state.gov/milestones/1977-1980/camp-david#:~:text=The%20Camp%20David%20Accords
%2C%20signed.
12
“The Jordan-Israeli Peace Treaty.” n.d. Www.kinghussein.gov.jo.
http://www.kinghussein.gov.jo/peacetreaty.html.
13
Fighting Has Left Half of Lebanon’s Largest Palestinian Refugee Camp `a Hot Area,’ UN Says.” 2023.
AP News. August 10, 2023.
https://apnews.com/article/lebanon-palestinian-refugee-camp-fighting-un-destroy-4581adbdfdc424799fcb
dbfcb9e7153d.
14
Wikipedia Contributors. 2022. “Palestine–Syria Relations.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. October
8, 2022.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palestine%E2%80%93Syria_relations#:~:text=World%20War%20II.-.

‌
 4. United States: The United States has been a key player, providing significant diplomatic,
military, and financial support to Israel. It has also been involved in various peace
initiatives and mediation efforts.15
5. European Union: The European Union has engaged in diplomatic efforts, advocating for
a two-state solution, providing humanitarian aid to Palestinian territories, and supporting
peace negotiations.16
6. United Nations: The UN has been actively engaged in mediating and resolving the
conflict, establishing agencies such as UNRWA to assist Palestinian refugees and
working toward a peaceful resolution.17
7. Russia: Russia has been involved in diplomatic initiatives and expressed interest in
contributing to the peace process, often in collaboration with other international players.18
8. International Organizations: Organizations like the Arab League, the Organization of
Islamic Cooperation (OIC, and the Non-Aligned Movement, have advocated for
Palestinian rights and supported diplomatic efforts, both regionally and on the
international stage.19

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict's complexity arises from its historical, political, and humanitarian
dimensions. It has drawn the attention of numerous countries and International actors due to its
broader implications for regional stability, peace, and global security. The involvement of these
countries reflects the shared interest in finding a peaceful resolution that addresses the concerns
of both Israelis and Palestinians.

The Zionist movement, which aimed to establish a homeland for the Jewish people in Palestine,
involved a diverse group of individuals, leaders, and organizations.20

15
Robinson, Kali. 2021. “What Is U.S. Policy on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict?” Council on Foreign
Relations. Council on Foreign Relations. May 27, 2021.
https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/what-us-policy-israeli-palestinian-conflict.
16
“EP Plenary: Prospects for the Two-State Solution for Israel and Palestine | EEAS Website.” n.d.
Www.eeas.europa.eu.
https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/ep-plenary-prospects-two-state-solution-israel-and-palestine_en.‌
17
“What Is the Mandate of UNRWA?” n.d. UNRWA. https://www.unrwa.org/what-mandate-unrwa-0.
18
Nosenko, Tatyana. 2015. “Special Attitudes in Russia to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict.” JSTOR. 2015.
https://www.jstor.org/stable/resrep08973.8.
19
“Arab League.” 2023. Wikipedia. August 25, 2023. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_League_.
20
Encyclopedia Britannica. 2019. “Zionism | Definition, History, Examples, & Facts.” In Encyclopædia
Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Zionism.

‌
 1. David Ben-Guiron: As the first Prime Minister of Israel and a prominent Zionist leader,
he played a central role in the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948. He also led the
country through its early years, making crucial decisions during the conflict.
2. Menachem Begin: The leader of the right-wing Revisionist Zionist movement and later
the Prime Minister of Israel, Begin signed the Camp David Accords with Egypt in 1978.
This peace treaty significantly shifted the dynamics of the conflict.
3. Chaim Weizmann: As an Israeli president and scientist, his involvement in the zionist
movement had a significant impact on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, especially in the
lead-up to the establishment of the State of Israel. His diplomatic skills, leadership, and
advocacy played a crucial role in shaping the trajectory of the conflict.
4. Henrietta Szold: Szold was a key figure in the Zionist movement and made significant
contributions to various aspects of the movement's development and its relation to the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Her involvement primarily centered around supporting the
establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine and contributing to the well-being and
education of the Jewish community there.21
5. Yitzhak Rabin: An Israeli military leader, diplomat, and Prime Minister, Rabin played a
crucial role in the Oslo Accords. He signed the historic Oslo I accord with PLO Chairman
Yasser Arafat in 1993.22
6. Yasser Arafat: The founder and leader of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO),
Arafat played a key role in the Palestinian struggle for self-determination. He was a
central figure in negotiations and peace efforts, including the Oslo Accords.23
7. Hamas: A Palestinian political militant organization, Hamas has been a significant player
involved in negotiations and diplomatic efforts, seeking recognition and statehood for
Palestinians.24

What are the significant happenings?25 26

21
Encyclopedia Britannica. 2019. “Zionism | Definition, History, Examples, & Facts.” In Encyclopædia
Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Zionism.
22
“Yitzhak Rabin Summary | Britannica.” n.d. Www.britannica.com. Accessed September 1, 2023.
https://www.britannica.com/summary/Yitzhak-Rabin.
23
Gresh, Alain. 2023. “Yasser Arafat | Biography, History, & Facts.” Encyclopedia Britannica. 2023.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Yasser-Arafat.
24
Encyclopedia Britannica. 2019. “Zionism | Definition, History, Examples, & Facts.” In Encyclopædia
Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Zionism.
25
Westfall, Sammy, and Brian Murphy. "The Israeli-Palestinian conflict: A chronology." The Washington
Post. Last modified May 13, 2021.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/05/13/israel-palestinians-timeline-conflict/.
26
"16 Key Moments in the Israel-Palestine Conflict." History Hit. Accessed September 1, 2023.
https://www.historyhit.com/key-moments-in-the-israel-palestine-conflict/.
1948: First Arab-Israeli War
● The First Arab Israeli War began on 14 May 1948, following the end of the British
Mandate for Palestine and the Israeli Declaration of Independence on the same day.
● After ten months of fighting, armistice accords granted Israel greater territory than the
1947 Partition Plan, including West Jerusalem. Jordan seized control of the remaining
British Mandate areas, including much of the West Bank, while Egypt captured Gaza.

1956: The Suez Crisis

● The Suez Canal, a crucial commerce route connecting the Red Sea and the
Mediterranean, is nationalized by Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser. Israel invades
Egypt, followed by British and French soldiers. The conflict is put to an end by a peace
treaty endorsed by the US and the Soviet Union. The canal, however, was obstructed by
sunken ships and did not reopen until 1957.

1967: Six-Day War:

● Israel defeated the combined forces of Egypt, Jordan, and Syria in a swift conflict,
resulting in the capture of the West Bank, East Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip, and the Golan
Heights.
● Israel's occupation of these territories significantly intensifies the conflict.

1973: Yom Kippur War:

● Egypt and Syria launched a surprise attack on Israel on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in
Judaism.
● Israel eventually repels the attacks, but the war prompts diplomatic efforts and
negotiations.

1978: Camp David Accords and Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty:

● Egypt became the first Arab country to formally recognize Israel's right to exist.
● The Camp David Accords led to a peace treaty between Egypt and Israel, with Israel
withdrawing from the Sinai Peninsula.

1987: First Intifada:

● Palestinians in the occupied territories began a series of protests, strikes, and civil
disobedience against Israeli rule.
● This uprising led to increased international attention on the conflict and paved the way
for negotiations.
1993-1995: Oslo Accords and Second Intifada:
● The Oslo Accords, the first of two pacts struck between Israel and the Palestine
Liberation Organization (PLO), lay out a peace process based on prior U.N. resolutions.
resolutions. (A subsequent agreement was signed in 1995.)

2000: Second Palestinian Intifada

● The second intifada, or Palestinian uprising, begins as riots break out following a visit to
a Jerusalem site revered in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam by right-wing Israeli political
figure Ariel Sharon (later Prime Minister). Clashes and various forms of violence persist
until 2005, killing hundreds on both sides.

2005: Withdrawal from Gaza

● Israel withdrew all Jewish settlements and military forces from Gaza in September, but
retained control over airspace, coastal waterways, and border crossings.

2006: Hamas Election and Gaza Blockade:

● The Palestinian political party Hamas won legislative elections in the Palestinian
territories. Tensions escalated between Hamas and Fatah, leading to a split in governance
between the West Bank (Fatah) and Gaza (Hamas).

2008-2009 and 2014: Gaza Wars:

● Israel launched military operations in Gaza, known as Operation Cast Lead (2008-2009)
and Operation Protective Edge (2014), resulting in significant casualties and destruction.

2015: Netanyahu's fourth government

● Netanyahu formed a right-wing coalition, Israel suspended contact with the EU over
settlement labeling, and ties were broken with countries supporting a UN resolution on
settlements. New settlements were built with retroactive legalization.

2016: The US raised the military aid package to Israel

● In September 2016, the United States consented to a military assistance agreement
totaling $38 billion for the upcoming decade, marking the most substantial arrangement
of this nature in American history. The previous agreement, which concluded in 2018,
involved Israel receiving an annual sum of $3.1 billion.

2017: Former US President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital

● In an unprecedented move, Donald Trump recognised Jerusalem as the capital, causing
further upset and divides in the Arab world and drawing condemnation from some
Western allies. In 2019, he declared himself ‘history’s most pro-Israel U.S. president’.
2018: A ceasefire between Israel and Palestine was brokered

● Due to growing violence on the Gaza border, the UN and Egypt attempted to broker a
long-term peace between the two sides. In opposition to the truce, Israel's Defense
Minister resigned and his party departed the coalition. Protests and incidents continued
for two weeks, albeit with decreasing intensity.

2021: Renewed violence threatens war

● During Ramadan 2021, Temple Mount/Al-Haram-al-Sharif became a political
battleground, with conflicts between Israeli police and Palestinians. Hamas asked that
Israeli forces be removed; their denial resulted in rocket assaults on Israel. In response,
Israel began airstrikes on Gaza, causing deaths by hitting structures and tunnels. Unrest
erupted in mixed towns, resulting in arrests and the declaration of emergencies.

2022: Terrorist attacks in Israel and Netanyahu sworn in for sixth term
● A series of Palestinian attacks on Israelis, spanning from March 22 to April 8, resulted in
14 Israeli deaths, marking a significant wave of terrorism. Israel responded by cracking
down on militants, initiating the "Break the Wave" operation in the West Bank. This
contributed to a high death toll in 2022, with 146 Palestinians killed by Israeli forces, the
most in any year since 2005. In the same year, Palestinians killed 29 Israelis. Benjamin
Netanyahu secured his sixth term as Israeli prime minister, forming a far-right
government criticized for jeopardizing a two-state solution.

2023: Continued Attacks

● January 2023: Israeli forces raid Jenin, resulting in deadly shootout and civilian
casualties. Palestinian gunman attacks Jerusalem synagogue, killing seven.
● May 2023: Israel conducts surprise airstrikes in Gaza, targeting Islamic Jihad leaders,
causing tensions and five-day violence resulting in deaths on both sides.
● June 2023: Israeli forces raid Jenin again, use helicopter gunships for the first time in
years. Hamas gunmen attack Israelis, followed by settlers' rampage and Israeli drone
strike.
● July 3, 2023: Israel launches a major operation in West Bank, involving air and ground
attacks, backed by drones, in Jenin refugee camp, marking an extensive counterterrorism
effort. Casualties reported on both sides.
What is the aftermath?

It is important to note that as the conflict is still ongoing, the listed aftermaths are seen in a
timeline, including the prospective impacts it may cause in the exponential time.

Radicalization and Extremism

The increasing border tension and conflicts have heightened security concerns from the public,
consequentially radicalizing public opinion. This prompted bolstering right-wing nationalism
from the state population, impacting policies on defense, settlements, and territory. Politically, it
gave rise to extremist and far-right government27s. In Palestine, particularly through groups like
Hamas, radic28alization has deepened divisions between Gaza and the West Bank territories. This
internal split weakened Palestinian’s ability to unify state efforts for governance. In Israel, the
most radical far-right government has just been elected, prompting even some US lawmakers to
review aid conditions in exchange for their radical policies29.

Humanitarian Concerns
The radicalization of policies led to humanitarian efforts being constrained in the midst of
conflict. Limited access to essential resources makes it difficult to address basic needs such as
food, medical supplies, and educational materials. Border controls and blockades of Israel and
Egypt have limited movements in Gaza's population, impacting the flow of goods, humanitarian
aid, and the movement of people, isolating the region and exacerbating its challenges.
Humanitarian organizations are also being limited by state restrictions and security risks. Issues
concerning International Humanitarian Rights have also been raised by instances of state forces
and combatants, particularly from Israel, resorting to violence towards civilians.

Arms Race
The potent military capabilities of both states in conflict and the international network rallying
behind them have triggered extensive military modernization and weapon acquisition. Israel's
heavy military backing by the United States and Palestine by Saudi Arabia has resulted in an
arms race in the pursuit of both sides to counterbalance military strength and enhance defensive

27
"The Struggle against Radicalization that Encourages Terror: Israel vs. the World." (2023, March 26).
INSS; INSS. https://www.inss.org.il/strategic_assessment/radicalization/
28
"ECHO Factsheet – Palestine – Last updated 10/01/2022 - occupied Palestinian territory." (2022,
February 15). ReliefWeb.
https://reliefweb.int/report/occupied-palestinian-territory/echo-factsheet-palestine-last-updated-10012022
29
Berg, R. (2022, December 21). "Israel’s most right-wing government agreed under Benjamin
Netanyahu." BBC News; BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-63942616
and offensive capabilities at the expense of substantial resources being allocated for military
expenditures30.

Geopolitical Tension
Israel is the only state in the Middle Eastern region to have strong relations with Western states,
particularly the United States. The perceived Western backing contributed to the increasing
geopolitical tension in the region as countries surrounding it have aligned with Palestine's cause,
inherently by the ideological commonalities of Islamic ideals. This ideological divide has
influenced regional alliances and cooperation, shaping the dynamics of conflicts across the
Middle East31.

30
Siddiqui, U., & Haddad, M. (2021, June 4). "Infographic: What you need to know about Israel’s military."
Aljazeera.com; Al Jazeera.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/6/4/infographic-what-you-need-to-know-about-israels-military
31
Elad. (2022, June 13). "Israel and the Arab Middle East—A New Geopolitical Architecture." The
Jerusalem Strategic Tribune. https://jstribune.com/rabi-israel-and-the-arab-middle-east/