The Israel-Palestine conflict is one of the world’s most complex and long-standing political and territorial disputes. At the heart of it lies the question: Who has the right to live in and govern the land between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River?
Origins of the Conflict: What Sparked It All?
The roots of the conflict go back to the late 1800s, when Zionism emerged. Zionism was a movement by Jews to return to their ancient homeland and escape increasing antisemitism in Europe. At the same time, Arab nationalism was growing in the region.
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- Theodor Herzl led the Zionist movement and called for Jews to settle in Palestine.
- At that time, Palestine was part of the Ottoman Empire and was mostly inhabited by Arabs.
The British Mandate Period: Seeds of Conflict
After World War I, the Ottoman Empire, which had ruled the region of Palestine for centuries, collapsed. The League of Nations gave Britain the right to govern Palestine through what was called the British Mandate (1920–1948). This period turned out to be a critical turning point in the history of the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Balfour Declaration (1917): One Promise, Two Interpretations
In 1917, Britain issued the Balfour Declaration, a public statement supporting the idea of a “national home for the Jewish people” in Palestine. However, at the same time, the British had also promised independence to Arabs in return for their support against the Ottomans during the war. These conflicting promises created confusion, anger, and mistrust between both communities.
Jewish Immigration Increases
Fueled by the Zionist movement (which aimed to establish a Jewish homeland) and rising antisemitism in Europe, waves of Jewish immigrants began moving to Palestine. The local Arab population (Palestinians) felt threatened by the increasing numbers and the fear of being displaced from their own land.
Tensions began to rise. By the 1930s, violent clashes broke out between Jews and Arabs, and also between both groups and the British rulers. The British struggled to maintain order and failed to offer a solution that satisfied either side.
Creation of Israel & First Arab-Israeli War (1948)
As World War II ended and the Holocaust exposed the horrific persecution faced by Jews, the demand for a Jewish state intensified. The United Nations stepped in to find a solution.
UN Partition Plan (1947)
In 1947, the UN proposed to divide Palestine into two separate states:
- One for Jews
- One for Arabs (Palestinians)
Jerusalem would be an international city, under neither side’s control.
Jewish leaders accepted the plan, seeing it as a long-awaited opportunity to establish their homeland.
Arab leaders rejected it, arguing it was unfair to give away land that they considered theirs.
Israel Declares Independence (1948)
On May 14, 1948, David Ben-Gurion, leader of the Jewish community in Palestine, declared the independence of Israel. The very next day, five Arab nations — Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Iraq, and Lebanon — declared war on the new state.
Despite being a young and poorly armed nation, Israel survived the war and even captured more territory than what was originally allotted by the UN plan.
The Palestinian Exodus – Nakba (“The Catastrophe”)
As a result of the war:
- Over 700,000 Palestinians were forced to flee or were expelled from their homes.
- Many ended up in refugee camps in neighbouring Arab countries.
- Palestinians refer to this mass displacement as the Nakba, which means catastrophe in Arabic.
These refugees and their descendants still seek the “right of return” to their original homes — a demand that remains one of the most sensitive issues in the conflict today.
Key Territories and Who Controls What
|
Region |
Description |
|
Gaza Strip |
Coastal area controlled by Hamas since 2007; blockaded by Israel & Egypt |
|
West Bank |
Landlocked territory, partly under Palestinian Authority (Fatah) control |
|
Jerusalem |
Claimed by both; Israel considers it capital, Palestinians want East Jerusalem |
Major Wars and Events
- 1967 Six-Day War: Israel captured Gaza, West Bank, East Jerusalem, Sinai (Egypt), and Golan Heights (Syria).
- 1973 Yom Kippur War: Egypt and Syria attacked; later led to peace with Egypt.
- 1987 First Intifada: Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation.
- 2000 Second Intifada: More violent, with bombings and military strikes.
Peace Attempts and Agreements:
Oslo Accords (1993 & 1995)
The Oslo Accords were a series of landmark agreements between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), negotiated secretly in Norway and formally signed in Washington, D.C. They marked the first time the two sides officially recognized each other:
- Oslo I Accord (1993):
- Mutual recognition: Israel recognized the PLO as the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people; the PLO recognized Israel’s right to exist in peace.
- Formation of the Palestinian Authority (PA) to govern parts of the West Bank and Gaza.
- Israel agreed to gradually withdraw from parts of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
- Oslo II Accord (1995):
- Divided the West Bank into Areas A (Palestinian control), B (shared control), and C (Israeli control).
- Set up elections for the PA.
Camp David Accords (1978)
- Brokered by US President Jimmy Carter between Israel (Menachem Begin) and Egypt (Anwar Sadat).
- Egypt became the first Arab country to recognize Israel.
- In return, Israel withdrew from the Sinai Peninsula.
- Marked the first peace treaty between Israel and an Arab nation.
Abraham Accords (2020)
- Brokered by the United States under President Donald Trump.
- Normalisation of relations between Israel and UAE, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco.
- Signaled a shift in regional alliances, prioritizing cooperation over traditional solidarity with Palestine.
Who Are the Key Groups?
|
Group |
Role & Description |
|
Israel |
Jewish-majority democratic state with a powerful military. |
|
Palestinian Authority (PA) |
Formed under Oslo Accords; governs parts of the West Bank. Led by Fatah. |
|
Hamas |
Islamist militant group controlling Gaza; considered a terrorist group by Israel, US, EU. |
|
Fatah |
Secular political party that dominates the PA; rivals with Hamas. |
|
PLO (Palestine Liberation Organization) |
Umbrella group formed in 1964 to represent Palestinians globally. Initially sought armed struggle against Israel, later accepted negotiations. Now largely replaced by the PA in governing roles. |
Present Situation (2023 Onwards)
- In October 2023, Hamas launched a surprise attack on southern Israel from Gaza.
- Thousands of rockets were fired; militants breached Israeli border areas.
- Israel launched Operation Iron Swords, conducting airstrikes and preparing ground operations in Gaza.
- The conflict has caused heavy civilian casualties on both sides.
- Global fears of regional escalation involving Hezbollah (Lebanon) and other groups.
India’s Stand
India maintains a balanced and diplomatic position on the conflict:
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- Supports a Two-State Solution: Advocates peaceful coexistence of Israel and Palestine.
- Historical Support for Palestine:
- Gandhiji opposed a religious-based Jewish state.
- India voted against Israel’s admission to the UN in 1949.
- Strategic Ties with Israel:
- Defence cooperation: drones, missiles, surveillance tech.
- Strong ties in agriculture, water management, and cybersecurity.
- Support for Palestinians:
- India has contributed to UNRWA (UN Relief and Works Agency).
- Sent medical aid and relief material to Gaza.
- De-Hyphenation Policy:
- PM Modi visited both Israel and Palestine, indicating independent bilateral relationships.
Why Peace Is So Difficult
|
Challenge |
Explanation |
|
Jerusalem |
Both sides claim it as their capital. |
|
Refugees |
Over 5 million Palestinian refugees demand return or compensation. |
|
Settlements |
Israel continues building settlements in the West Bank, seen as illegal. |
|
Security Fears |
Israel fears terror attacks; Palestinians face military checkpoints, raids. |
|
Political Divisions |
Fatah and Hamas are divided; Israel’s internal politics also complicated. |
|
Foreign Influence |
Outside powers often act in self-interest, not always in peace’s favor. |
What Can Be the Solution?
- Two-State Solution: Most supported globally; one state each for Israel and Palestine.
- One-State Solution: One democratic country with equal rights for all — controversial and complex.
- Shared Capital: Make Jerusalem a shared or internationally governed city.
- Refugee Compensation: Return of some refugees + financial settlements for others.
- Disarmament: Hamas and other militant groups must disarm to build trust.
- Economic Development: Aid and investment to uplift Gaza and West Bank.
- Community Peace Initiatives: Foster people-to-people dialogue and local peace movements.
Summary
- The Israel-Palestine conflict is about land, history, identity, and survival — not just religion.
- Both sides have deep-rooted fears and historical trauma.
- Many peace attempts have failed, but dialogue is the only real path forward.
- Students should view the conflict with empathy, understanding both perspectives.
The post Israel Palestine Conflict A Century Long Struggle Simplified for Students first appeared on Ekam IAS Academy.