THE GENESIS OF PALESTINIAN ISRAEL CONFLICT

One is to dispel the common misconception that the current struggle in Palestine is an extension of an ancient blood feud, fueled by ethnic or religious antagonisms dating back hundreds of years. This view is not only inaccurate, it is also potentially damaging; it promotes distorted judgments about both Jewish and Arab behavior while at the same time diverting attention from considerations that are central to a proper understanding of the conflict in the Middle East.

In 1947, the United Nations adopted Resolution 181, known as the Partition Plan, which sought to divide the British Mandate of Palestine into Arab and Jewish states. On May 14, 1948, the State of Israel was created, sparking the first Arab-Israeli War.

 

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a long-standing and complex geopolitical dispute that has its roots in a combination of historical, religious, political, and territorial factors. It’s important to note that the conflict has evolved and taken on different dimensions over the years, making it challenging to provide a comprehensive overview. However, I can offer a brief summary of the key factors contributing to the genesis of the conflict:

Historical Background:

Ancient History: Both Israelis (Jews) and Palestinians (Arabs) have historical ties to the region known as Palestine, which has been inhabited by various groups over millennia.

Ottoman Empire: For centuries, the area was part of the Ottoman Empire until its collapse after World War I.

British Mandate:

After World War I, the League of Nations granted Britain a mandate to govern Palestine. During this time, Jewish immigration increased.

Zionist Movement:

The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw the rise of the Zionist movement, which aimed to establish a Jewish homeland in Palestine.

Arab Nationalism:

Concurrently, Arab nationalism was growing, with the desire for self-determination among the Arab population in the region.

United Nations Partition Plan (1947):

In 1947, the United Nations proposed a partition plan to divide Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states, with Jerusalem under international administration. Jewish leaders accepted the plan, but Arab leaders rejected it, leading to conflict.

Israeli Declaration of Independence (1948):

On May 14, 1948, David Ben-Gurion proclaimed the establishment of the State of Israel. Arab states opposed this and invaded, resulting in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War.

Displacement and Refugee Crisis:

The 1948 war resulted in the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, leading to a protracted refugee crisis.

Six-Day War (1967):

In 1967, Israel fought a war against Egypt, Jordan, and Syria, resulting in Israel’s occupation of the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Sinai Peninsula, and Golan Heights. This intensified the conflict.

Oslo Accords (1993):

The Oslo Accords marked a significant attempt at peace between Israel and the Palestinians, leading to limited self-governance for Palestinians in parts of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Ongoing Conflict:

Despite various peace efforts, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict continues, characterized by issues such as borders, settlements, refugees, security, and the status of Jerusalem.

The conflict remains deeply rooted in historical narratives, territorial disputes, and national aspirations, making it a deeply entrenched and challenging issue to resolve. Various peace initiatives and negotiations have taken place over the years, but a comprehensive and lasting resolution has proven elusive, leading to ongoing tensions and sporadic violence.

which accord Yasar Arafat accepted

Yasser Arafat, the leader of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), accepted the Oslo Accords. The Oslo Accords were a series of agreements between Israel and the PLO that aimed to establish a framework for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The key agreement within the Oslo Accords was the Oslo I Accord, also known as the Declaration of Principles (DOP), which was signed on September 13, 1993, in Washington, D.C.

The Oslo I Accord outlined a phased process for transferring governing authority over parts of the West Bank and Gaza Strip from Israeli to Palestinian control. It also laid the groundwork for subsequent negotiations on key issues like borders, settlements, security, and the status of Jerusalem. Yasser Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin played pivotal roles in the signing of the Oslo I Accord, and Arafat famously shook hands with Rabin during the signing ceremony, which was a symbol of their commitment to pursuing peace.

Despite its significance, the Oslo process faced many challenges and setbacks in subsequent years, and a final, comprehensive peace agreement was never reached. However, the Oslo Accords marked a significant step toward establishing limited Palestinian self-governance in parts of the West Bank and Gaza Strip and paved the way for future negotiations and peace efforts in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

 

Palestinians and Israelis accepted the existence of both nations

Recognition of each other’s existence as nations has been a complex and evolving issue in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The formal recognition of Israel by Arab and Palestinian leaders and entities has occurred at various points in time, but it is important to note that recognition has not always translated into peaceful relations or the resolution of the conflict. Here are some key moments of recognition:

United Nations Partition Plan (1947): The United Nations proposed a partition plan in 1947, which included the creation of both a Jewish and an Arab state in Palestine. The plan was accepted by Jewish leaders but rejected by Arab leaders. Israel declared its independence in 1948, leading to a war with neighboring Arab states.

Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty (1979): Egypt became the first Arab country to officially recognize Israel’s right to exist as a state when it signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1979. This was a significant step towards normalization of relations between an Arab nation and Israel.

Oslo Accords (1993): As part of the Oslo Accords, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), under the leadership of Yasser Arafat, formally recognized Israel’s right to exist in peace and security. In exchange, Israel recognized the PLO as the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.

Jordan-Israel Peace Treaty (1994): In 1994, Jordan signed a peace treaty with Israel, becoming the second Arab country to officially recognize Israel. This treaty normalized relations between the two countries.

While these moments represent official recognition by states and entities, it’s essential to understand that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains unresolved. There are still significant issues, such as borders, refugees, settlements, and the status of Jerusalem, that continue to divide Israelis and Palestinians. The recognition of each other’s existence as nations has not led to a comprehensive and lasting peace agreement, and the conflict persists with intermittent tensions and violence.( The main contents of this story are taken from Al Jazeera Report with thanks- Admin )