The Israel-Palestine conflict has deep historical roots and is one of the most
complex geopolitical issues. Let’s break it down step by step to give you a
comprehensive understanding.
1. Historical Context
a. Jewish Expulsion and Diaspora
• Roman Era (70 CE): After the destruction of the Second Temple in
Jerusalem by the Romans, Jews were exiled from their homeland, Judea (modern-day
Israel/Palestine).
• Over centuries, Jews migrated across Europe, the Middle East, and other
parts of the world, living as minorities in various societies.
• Anti-Semitism: In Europe, Jews faced persecution, including pogroms
(violent attacks) and systemic discrimination.
b. Zionism and Return to Palestine
• Late 19th Century: In response to European anti-Semitism, a political
movement called Zionism emerged, led by Theodor Herzl. Its goal was to establish a
Jewish homeland in Palestine, then part of the Ottoman Empire.
• At the time, Palestine was predominantly Arab and Muslim, with a small
Jewish population.
c. World War I and the Balfour Declaration
• 1917: The British government issued the Balfour Declaration, supporting
the establishment of a “national home for the Jewish people” in Palestine.
• After World War I, Britain took control of Palestine under a League of
Nations mandate, further encouraging Jewish immigration.
d. Rise of Arab Opposition
• Arab Palestinians opposed increased Jewish immigration, fearing
displacement and loss of land.
• Tensions between Jewish and Arab communities grew during the 1920s and
1930s, with violence erupting periodically.
e. The Holocaust and Post-WWII Era
• 1939-1945: During the Holocaust, Nazi Germany murdered six million
Jews. This intensified global sympathy for the Jewish plight and increased support
for a Jewish state.
• After World War II, Jewish refugees from Europe sought to immigrate to
Palestine, further escalating tensions with Arabs.
2. Creation of Israel and the Nakba (1948)
• 1947: The United Nations proposed a partition plan to divide Palestine
into separate Jewish and Arab states, with Jerusalem as an international city. Jews
accepted the plan; Arabs rejected it.
• 1948: The British mandate ended, and Jews declared the creation of the
state of Israel.
• Arab nations (Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon) immediately
invaded.
• Israel won the war, expanding its territory beyond the UN partition
plan.
• Palestinian Exodus (Nakba): Over 700,000 Palestinians were displaced or
fled, many becoming refugees in neighboring countries.
3. Key Events Post-1948
a. 1956 Suez Crisis
• Egypt nationalized the Suez Canal, leading to a joint attack by Israel,
Britain, and France.
• The crisis ended with international intervention, but it heightened
regional tensions.
b. 1967 Six-Day War
• Israel preemptively attacked Egypt, Syria, and Jordan, capturing:
• West Bank and East Jerusalem (from Jordan)
• Gaza Strip and Sinai Peninsula (from Egypt)
• Golan Heights (from Syria)
• This war drastically changed the map and solidified Israel’s occupation
of Palestinian territories.
c. 1973 Yom Kippur War
• Egypt and Syria launched a surprise attack on Israel during Yom Kippur.
• Israel pushed back but eventually agreed to peace negotiations.
d. Oslo Accords (1993-1995)
• A peace process aimed to establish a two-state solution.
• The Palestinian Authority (PA) was created to govern parts of the West
Bank and Gaza, but final status issues (borders, Jerusalem, refugees) remain
unresolved.
4. Current Scenario
a. Territorial Division
• Israel: Controls most of the land, including all of Jerusalem.
• West Bank: Partially controlled by the Palestinian Authority but dotted
with Israeli settlements.
• Gaza Strip: Governed by Hamas, a Palestinian militant group.
b. Key Players
Countries Involved:
1. Israel: Backed by the US and some Western countries.
2. Palestine: Supported by Arab nations, Turkey, and others.
3. US: A major ally of Israel, providing military and financial aid.
4. Iran: Supports Hamas and Hezbollah (anti-Israel groups).
5. Egypt and Jordan: Maintain peace treaties with Israel but support
Palestinian rights.
c. Ongoing Issues
1. Settlements: Israel continues to expand Jewish settlements in the West
Bank, violating international law.
2. Gaza Blockade: Israel and Egypt impose a blockade on Gaza, citing
security concerns.
3. Violence: Frequent clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinian
groups, including rocket attacks and military raids.
5. Timeline of Recent Events
• 2006: Hamas won Palestinian elections, leading to a split between Hamas
(Gaza) and Fatah (West Bank).
• 2014: A 50-day war between Israel and Hamas resulted in significant
casualties.
• 2021: An 11-day conflict erupted over tensions in East Jerusalem and
Gaza.
• 2023-2024: Ongoing escalations, with both sides blaming each other for
provocations.
6. Possible Solutions and Challenges
• Two-State Solution: Widely supported but undermined by settlement
expansion and political divisions.
• One-State Solution: Advocated by some but opposed by most Israelis and
Palestinians.
• International Intervention: Limited success due to geopolitical
rivalries and domestic politics.
