Understanding the complex ISRAEL-PALESTINE conflict in a Simple way
Israel-Palestine conflict- it's a general term. But many people who heard this name are not aware of this conflict. People who know about the conflict say that this is difficult to understand. Is it complicated to understand? Yes, if you do not follow the chronology of events and understand Israel and Palestine's geography. I assure you will completely understand the Israel-Palestine conflict after reading this blog post. As I said, we need to follow the chronology of events to understand this conflict; we need to head back to the 20th century. Wait, I also said we should observe geography.
The following map represents Arab countries. The Arab countries associated with Israel Palestine conflict are Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Turkey, and Palestine.
Remember these countries and places on the map. In 1947 United Nations made Israel and Palestine countries.
During the 20th century, there was no Israel. There is only a single Palestine which included the Gaza strip, West Bank, and present Israel.
| Palestine before bifurcation |
Palestine in the 20th century
Palestine and some other countries were part of the Ottoman Empire. In the Ottoman Empire, there were 87% Muslims, 10% Christians, 3% Jews. Most of the people in the Ottoman Empire spoke the Arabic Language. Jerusalem-an important city, was a holy place for Muslims, Christians, and Jews. Unlike the varied population in the Ottoman Empire, in Jerusalem, the population of Muslims, Christians, and Jews were the same. No religious conflicts existed in that period.
The late 19th century was the Golden age of Nationalism for Europe. Many kingdoms in the area of Europe wanted their separate countries, so the name Nationalistic period. Those were the times when Jews people were ill-treated. People used to kill Jews if they were identified as Jews. Where ever they went, they faced the same situation. The only country that treated Jews well is India. That's why Israel (a country of Jews) always stands in support of India. Europe Nationalism made Jews think of the establishment of their own country.
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| Europe in 1812 |
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| Theodor Herzl |
Theodor Herzl, a Jewish Journalist, was the first person who thought of having a separate country for Jews. So that Jews in Europe and other countries would come and settle at a place and live secured and with freedom. That's when after European Nationalism, Jewish Nationalism emerged. This Jewish Nationalism was called Zionism. Britain wanted to take advantage of this Zionism movement. Britain said that they would help establish Palestine as a national home for Jews. This is officially brought up as the Balfour declaration by the British Government.
Britain as a Chameleon
1) Balfour declaration was brought in 1917. World War was during 1914-1918. So what does it mean? That means Palestine was still in the Ottoman Empire. Even before winning the war, the British gave the word of making Palestine a country for Jews.
2) But before the Balfour declaration, in 1915, Britain made an agreement with Sharif Hussain (the then Mecca Ruler) to gain support from Arabs to defeat the Ottoman Empire. The agreement contained that if Sharif Hussain makes Arabs revolve against the Ottoman Empire, Britain will give an Arab state included with Palestine. This was a secret agreement.
3) Also, in 1916, Britain made another secret agreement with Russia and France. Turkey and some other places would be given to Russia. Syria and some places of Jordan would be given to France. Palestine would be under the control of Britain. This was the agreement made.
Woah! Total of 3 agreements about Palestine. That is with Mecca in 1915, France and Russia in 1916, with Jews in 1917.
After World War 1
Britain won World War 1 in 1918. Now Sharif Hussain comes and asks for Palestine. To bypass the conflict with Sharif Hussain, Britain said that the agreement was to give an Arab state with Palestine not included.
It also promised Jews that Palestine would be their country. To divert them from assigning Palestine as their country, the British made a plan for this too. Until Jews can rule themselves, Palestine remains a British colony. By this, Zionists (Jews) compromised.
As time advanced, the British made some plans to acquire Palestine permanently. Britain made separate religious institutions for Muslims, Christians, and Jews. Then raised the religious conflicts. The divide and rule that was followed in India were implemented in Palestine too.
As a part of the Balfour declaration, Jewish immigration into Palestine was allowed from 1920 to 1939 by the British Government. Many Jews people from different places started entering Palestine. 3% Jews Population which was in 1878 in Palestine, grew to 30% in 1938.
As Jews population started rising, they started buying land. Jews bought farmers, labor who were living in Palestine from times under control. Jewish community became strong by controlling land and labor.
The people who were living in Palestine from a long time are Arabs. From now on I use a word Palestinian Arabs, which means arabs living in palestine from a long time.
Jewish people gained control over land and labor, a highly tense environment created between Jews and Palestinian Arabs in the 1920s and 1930s. After this, Palestinian Arabs strongly believed that Palestine is their country. In 1936 these people's nationalism reached high potential.
Palestinian Arabs against British
Palestinian Arabs started a revolt against Britishers. However, they controlled it with the help of Jewish Militants. In view of not arriving at a situation like this, the British had to go against Jews and support Palestinian Arabs. Britishers restricted 'Jewish Immigration into Palestine.' British said that in 10 years, Palestine would be made a joint country for Palestinian Arabs and Jews. Both Palestinian Arabs and Jews didn't like the decision. Jews were not happy due to Jewish immigration restrictions, and Palestinian Arabs were not happy to wait up to 10 years. Then the second world war came.
After World War 2
Surprisingly this was a peaceful time in Palestine. But during this war, Hitler assassinated approximately 6 million Jews. This Massacre was called the Holocaust. World War ended in 1945. Again conflicts resumed. Britain was fed up with these conflicts. They realized that there are more losses than profits from Palestine. British handed over this Jews-Palestinian Arabs issue to the then newly formed United Nations.
Formation of Israel
United Nations conducted voting for the division of Palestine to make separate countries for Palestinian Arabs and the Jews. Majority gained for the Bifurcation of Palestine. In May 1948, Israel was declared a nation for Jews. The remaining land left over was recognized as Palestine. The partition of these countries was made approximately equal parts. But the borders between the countries were drawn haphazardly. This was because the Jews groups were not present only in a single large area. There were groups in different areas.
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| Israel and Palestine division by UN |
Arab-Israeli war 1 (1948)
This made the two areas look like a puzzle. This two State plan could not bring peace. Some Arab countries, including Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Iraq, and Palestine, declared war on Israel. This Arab-Israel war was held. Surprisingly one-sided, Israel won the war over a group of Arab countries. A peace treaty was held in 1949. But up to that time, Israel occupied excess 3rd part of the land of Palestine provided by the United Nations in 1948. After this war, almost 7 lakh Palestinian Arabs went as refugees to surrounding countries. For the next 18 years, there were no major occupations.
Arab-Israeli War 2 (6 day War) (1967)
Again Arab countries went to war with Israel. This war was held only for 6 days. But this was a massive war in terms of destruction, deaths but not in terms of no. of days held. Again Israel won. After this 6 day war, Israel's power was known to not only Arab countries but also to the whole world. Israel occupied West Bank, Gaza Strip, Sinai Peninsula, Golan Heights after winning the war. To avoid this type of war in the future, the United Nations passed Resolution 242.
Resolution 242
Resolution 242 was built to establish peace. According to Resolution 242, Israel should hand over the land that was occupied in the war. Palestinian and Israeli rights should be recognized and respected. Why would Israel hand over the occupied land? Did they occupy the land to hand over it?
Israeli-Arab Conflict becomes Israeli-Palestine Conflict
With seeing the power of Israel, Arabs thought it would be a mad decision to oppose Israel. So they drew support for Palestine. That's when the Israel-Arab Conflict became the Israel-Palestine Conflict.
Palestinian Liberation Organisation
Yasser Arafat formed the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO) in 1964 for the freedom of Palestinians. PLO oversaw small guerilla groups that attacked civilians. PLO wanted Palestine, but they chose the peace path.
Jewish Settlements
To gain control over the occupied territories, Israel sent their people to East Jerusalem, West Bank, and Gaza Strip for settlements. These areas are Jewish Settlements. 3,50,000 Jews got settled in West Bank, and about 2,00,000 Jews settled in East Jerusalem. In the view of International Law, these settlements are illegal. But Israel countered, saying, "is Palestine a country to be declared these settlements as illegal?."
1st Intifada
Palestinians lost peace. They started 1st Intifada (the Arabic word for rebellion movement). As a part of this Intifada, Palestinians boycotted Israeli products, refused to pay taxes levied by Israel. Israel's army controlled the protestors. This 1st Intifada gave birth to an organization called "Hamas."
Hamas gained Popularity
In 1993, Hamas launched the first suicide bomb against Israel. Hamas gathered huge no. of weapons. They made Social Welfare projects in Gaza. Then, Hamas became very popular. Hamas gained support from Palestinians. In the International view, Hamas is recognized as a terrorist organization.
Israel-Palestine Peace Talks
The 1st Intifada led to peace talks between Israel and Palestine. But it consisted of major problems. There was no discussion on the Jewish Settlements and Palestinian refugees in these peace talks. There were also peace talks between Israel and Palestine under the supervision of Bill Clinton, the then president of America. But many secrets aren't discussed in these talks. So the peace talks showed no result, and the situations became more critical.
2nd Intifada
In Sep 2000, Israel's PM candidate Ariel Sharon visited Temple Mount-Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem with 1000 armed guards. Palestinians threw stones at militants and Ariel Sharon. They agitated the place. This led to 2nd Intifada. The militants had to use weapons to control the rebels. After this incident, Palestinians launched suicide bombs. Riots took place. Around 3000 Palestinians, above 1000 Israelis, have been killed in the riots.
Continuation of riots
To protect their civilians, Israel constructed a wall on the border of Israel and the West Bank. Of course, they included the Jewish Settlements inside this wall. In 2005, PLO founder Yasser Arafat died, and then Hamas got the majority in the Palestinian Parliament. Hamas started rocket attacks on Israel, and Israel reacted to it more destructively.
Trump Intervention
Recently, the American President, Donald Trump, intervened in the Israel-Palestine issue. He made a plan on how to bifurcate Israel and Palestine without any conflict. This plan was totally one-sided, i.e., on the side of Israel. The plan he made consisted of more land than the UN gave in 1947 for Israel. So, conflicts are still in place between Israel and Palestine.
