SOC SCI 2 ● UN decided to take Jerusalem under
international control
ISRAEL-PALESTINE CONFLICT
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a protracted struggle
over territory and national identity, with roots in the
late 19th century. Key milestones include the Balfour
Declaration, the United Nations Partition Plan, and
subsequent wars like the Six-Day War. Peace efforts,
notably the Oslo Accords, aimed at establishing a two-
state solution have faced obstacles, including disputes
over borders, settlements, the status of Jerusalem, and
the right of return for refugees. Ongoing tensions and
periodic outbreaks of violence underscore the
complexity of achieving a lasting resolution and the
profound impact on the lives of Israelis and
Palestinians.
Events that caused conflict:
● Historical claims
● Zionist movement
● Territorial disputes
● Status of Jerusalem
● Nationalist aspirations
● Religious and cultural identity
Jerusalem
● One of the oldest cities in the world
● Considered pilgrimage by Christians, Jews and
Muslims
● Jesus Christ spent his adulthood
● The Bible mentioned Jerusalem 800 times
● Place where Prophet Mohammad visited
according to Quran
● To Jews, it is where their first temple was
established
OTHER INFO:
● Christians have issues with the Jews before
th
● 19 century, Jews created their own country
● A lot of Jewish people migrated to Palestine
ruled by the Ottoman empire
● During WWI, the Ottoman Empire was defeated
by the British and took over Palestine
● 1933, Adolf Hitler killed almost 6 million Jews
under his power
● British got defeated during WWII and left
Palestine
● Palestinians and Jews fought to claim the place
● Christians, Muslims, and Jews fighting for
Jerusalem
● Jews created Israel in 1948
● The first Arab-Israeli War of 1948, Egypt, Syria,
Jordan and Palestine against Israel war
TWO STATE SOLUTION:
● The United Nations adopted a partition plan for
Palestine in 1947 that would have created two
states, one Arab and one Jewish, with
international control of Jerusalem
● In 1993 the Israeli government and the Palestine
Liberation Organization (PLO) agreed on a plan
to implement a two-state solution
● A first attempt at partitioning the land in 1948
resulted in an Israeli state but no Palestinian
state, and the West Bank and Gaza Strip fell
under Jordanian and Egyptian rule
● Israel took control of the Gaza Strip and the
West Bank, including East Jerusalem, as the
Egyptian and Jordanian armies retreated
● In 1979 the territory was returned to Egypt as
part of a comprehensive peace agreement
known as the Camp David Accords
● In 1993 Israel, led by Rabin’s foreign
minister Shimon Peres, held a series of
negotiations with the PLO, the implementation
of Two State Solution
GAZA STRIP & WEST BANK:
● Egypt took over Gaza Strip while Jordan took
over the West Bank
● These two Arab countries helped Palestine
against Israel but they somehow took over
some Palestinian land
● Palestinians became refugees in their own land
● They created the Palestine Liberation
Organization (PLO) in 1964 to claim their
country and destroy Israel
● The 2nd Arab-Israeli war started when Israeli air
force attacked Egyptian air force on 1967
● Israel got a huge part of land during that war,
the Gaza Strip, West Bank, Golon Heights and a
big part of Sinai from Egypt
● In October of 1973, the Arab coalition
surprisingly attacked Israel
● And exactly after 50 years in the same day of
2023, the Hamas surprisingly attacked again
Israel
● In 1974, UN recognized PLO as the
representative of Palestine
 ● Egypt had a peace treaty with Israel in 1979, in
return, Israel gave back the land of Sinai
● In 1993, the Prime Minister of Israel gave the
Gaza Strip and West Bank to Palestine for them
to live
● Hamas group was created to fight against the
Israeli in 1987
● Hamas is not only against Israel but also to PLO
● In 2006, PLO was defeated in an election by the
Hamas, and it started a civil war
● In 2007, Hamas took over power in Gaza while
PLO controls West Bank
● PLO is recognized as the Palestinian government
while Hamas is a terrorist group
INTERNATIONAL INVOLVEMENT:
United Nations (UN): The UN has been involved in the
Israel-Palestine conflict since its early days. The partition
plan of 1947 proposed dividing Palestine into separate
Jewish and Arab states, leading to the establishment of
the State of Israel in 1948. The UN has since been
engaged in numerous peacekeeping efforts, resolutions,
and initiatives to address the ongoing conflict
International Recognition: The recognition of Israel as a
state and the establishment of diplomatic relations have
varied among countries. Some nations recognized Israel
soon after its creation, while others did so later or have
yet to do so. The recognition of a Palestinian state has
also been a subject of international debate
HUMANITARIAN CONCERN:
Displacement and Refugees: The conflict has resulted in
the displacement of a large number of Palestinians, both
internally within the occupied territories and externally
as refugees. Many Palestinians live in refugee camps in
neighboring countries, facing challenging living
conditions and limited opportunities.
Civilian Casualties: The conflict has led to the loss of
civilian lives on both sides. Military operations,
airstrikes, and other forms of violence have sometimes
resulted in unintended civilian casualties, raising
concerns about the protection of civilians and
adherence to international humanitarian law.
Access to Healthcare and Education: Ongoing conflict
disrupts access to essential services, including
healthcare and education. Hospitals and schools have
been damaged or destroyed, and restrictions on
movement can impede the ability of civilians to access
medical care and education.
Infrastructure Damage: The conflict has resulted in
damage to critical infrastructure, including water and
sanitation facilities, electricity grids, and transportation
networks. This damage affects the daily lives of civilians
and hampers the ability to provide essential services.
Psychosocial Impact: The protracted nature of the
conflict, along with the persistent insecurity and
violence, has had a profound psychosocial impact on the
population, especially children. Many individuals,
including children, experience trauma, anxiety, and
stress as a result of the ongoing conflict.

Peace Process: Various international initiatives have

sought to mediate and facilitate a peace process
between Israel and the Palestinians. The Oslo Accords in
the 1990s marked a significant attempt at achieving a
two-state solution, but progress has been slow and
inconsistent.

United States: The United States has traditionally played

a crucial role in the Israel-Palestine conflict. It has been
a key ally of Israel, providing military and economic aid.
The U.S. has also been involved in diplomatic efforts,
often serving as a mediator, although its approach has
shifted under different administrations.

European Union (EU): The EU has been actively involved

in diplomatic efforts and has advocated for a two-state
solution. EU member states often provide financial aid
to the Palestinians and have called for a peaceful
resolution to the conflict.

Arab States: Arab countries, as a collective and

individually, have been involved in the Israel-Palestine
conflict. They have supported the Palestinian cause
politically and financially, and their stance has evolved
over the years. The Arab Peace Initiative, first proposed
in 2002, outlines a framework for normalizing relations
between Israel and Arab states in exchange for a
resolution to the conflict.