6.1 Historical roots of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict stems from competing claims to the same land. Zionism and Arab nationalism clashed in the early 20th century, with British rule complicating matters. The Balfour Declaration and conflicting promises to both sides set the stage for future strife.

Israel's establishment in 1948 led to war with Arab states and the displacement of Palestinians, known as the Nakba. Subsequent conflicts, including major wars in 1956, 1967, and 1973, further entrenched divisions. Cold War politics and failed peace efforts have prolonged the conflict.

Historical Context

Origins of Israeli-Palestinian conflict

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• Late 19th century witnessed the rise of Zionism, a Jewish nationalist movement seeking to establish a Jewish homeland in Palestine, motivated by centuries of anti-Semitism and persecution in Europe
• Early 20th century saw the development of Arab nationalism, as Arab inhabitants of Palestine developed their own national identity and sought independence from the Ottoman Empire and later British rule
• Both Jews and Arabs claimed historical and religious ties to the region, leading to competing claims to the land
• Increasing Jewish immigration and land purchases (Petah Tikva, Rishon LeZion) led to tensions with the Arab population

Impact of British Mandate period

• Britain granted control over Palestine by the League of Nations (1920-1948) and tasked with establishing a "national home" for the Jewish people
• Balfour Declaration (1917) was a British statement supporting the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine, which contradicted earlier promises made to Arabs regarding independence
• Hussein-McMahon Correspondence (1915-1916) involved British promises of Arab independence in exchange for support against Ottomans
• Sykes-Picot Agreement (1916) saw Britain and France agree to divide the Middle East into spheres of influence
• British attempts to balance Jewish and Arab interests were unsuccessful, leading to escalating tensions
  • Arab Revolt (1936-1939) saw Palestinian Arabs revolt against British rule and Jewish immigration
  • White Paper (1939) restricted Jewish immigration, angering Zionists

Establishment of Israel and the Nakba

UN Partition Plan and Israel's establishment

• UN Partition Plan (1947) proposed dividing Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states, with Jerusalem placed under international control
• Plan accepted by Jews but rejected by Arabs, leading to the Israeli War of Independence (1948-1949)
• Arab states (Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq) invaded Palestine following Israel's declaration of independence on May 14, 1948
• Israel emerged victorious, expanding its territory beyond the partition plan borders (Negev, Galilee)
• David Ben-Gurion became Israel's first Prime Minister

Nakba and Palestinian displacement

• Nakba (1948) resulted in the displacement of approximately 700,000 Palestinian Arabs who became refugees in neighboring countries (Jordan, Lebanon, Syria) or internally displaced within Israel
• Palestinians refer to this event as the "Nakba" (catastrophe) and it remains a central aspect of Palestinian national identity and grievances

Escalation factors post-independence

• Arab-Israeli Wars
  1. 1956 Suez Crisis: Israel, UK, and France attacked Egypt; ended by US and Soviet intervention
  2. 1967 Six-Day War: Israel preemptively attacked Egypt, Jordan, and Syria, capturing the Sinai Peninsula, Gaza Strip, West Bank, and Golan Heights
  3. 1973 Yom Kippur War: Egypt and Syria attacked Israel on Yom Kippur; Israel successfully counterattacked
• Palestinian nationalism grew with the formation of the PLO (Palestine Liberation Organization) in 1964 to represent Palestinian interests, leading to increased Palestinian armed resistance and terrorism against Israel
• Cold War politics played a role, with the US supporting Israel as a strategic ally against Soviet influence in the region, while the Soviet Union supported Arab states and Palestinian groups
• Failed peace efforts, such as the 1978 Camp David Accords (peace treaty between Israel and Egypt; returned Sinai to Egypt) and the 1993 Oslo Accords (PLO recognized Israel's right to exist; Israel recognized PLO as representative of Palestinians; failed to resolve key issues) contributed to ongoing tensions and conflict