The people of Palestine over the past half century have been treated extremely unfairly. Over the decades, the Israelis have evermore gained control over Palestine. The wars resulting in gains for the Israelis in terms of land. After the wars, because of the Israelis determination to gain back the land which they feel is the homeland for Jewish people, the control over the Palestinians is continuing: There is constant vandalism of Palestinian cultural buildings, homes and offices. There is a sense of systematic terrorism, to eventually destroy the identity of the Palestinians. In one example from a video of John Pilges we can see that there is “shit on the wall”. This is just an example of the bad treatment of Palestinians. Sometimes the Israelis treat the Palestinians with no sense of respect, one major setback is the fact that the Palestinians are unable to have their own independence, it is like being in an open prison. They are without rights of freedom and it is utter cruelty and violence towards the Palestinians. Partides can be seen in many areas where the Palestinians are unable to go into Israeli secured areas. All of these examples will lead to anger and annoyance from the Palestinians. This will then gradually build up and then lead to terrorism.
The Israelis have already left the Palestinians with only the West Bank and Gaza Strip due to the gain in land over the past half century; however they feel it is their right to have Internationally illegal Israeli settlements on the Palestinian land. The Palestinian people are humiliated in their own country with roadblocks and checkpoints on nearly all roads. The Palestinians must have correct ID to be able to pass these checkpoints, and if not, for many, it means that they will be unable to go to work. Therefore will be unable to feed their already poverty stricken families. It is a harsh reality that in some cases pregnant women will not be allowed to a Hospital because of these controlled Checkpoints. The Borders of the current Palestine are always under control by the Israeli troops and the whole of Palestine is guarded with these troops. All of these will lead to infuriation between Palestinians and this will gradually build to lead to terrorism.
Gaza City is the Strip’s biggest population centre and has about 400,000 inhabitants. The majority of Gaza’s residents are refugees who fled or were expelled in 1948 from the land that became Israel, Most Gazans live in eight refugee comps in which the United Nations delivers health, education and other services. A lot of the Palestinians are squashed into this area and the living conditions are extreme. The Palestinians are treated unjustly and the Israelis have no right in making the Palestinians suffer the way they have. At current the Israelis can somehow justify themselves over their actions. All of their restrictions are justifiable to them because Hamas is a terrorist group so they will continue. The world is unable to see the clear picture for Palestinians. Hence the Palestinians will be unjustifiable unless there is a change in the government or Hamas stops its violence and terrorism. The argument would become very strong if Hamas were to stop the violence, and make the Israelis look the “bad guy”. The restrictions that would be in place against the Palestinians would be unjustifiable for the Israelis. However if no changes are made, the argument can be fended off due to Hamas’ violence and terrorism. We as people can all see that considering what the Israelis have done to the Palestinians, and no effects have taken place, it is fair for them to commit to terrorism. But the World’s politics is unable to see this.
From 1979 to 2005, there were three peace treaties which were signed by Israel. Considering these three were signed by the Israelis, first impressions would think; then why is there still so much violence and terrorism between these two countries? The problem behind this is the fact that the Israelis have broken these treaties in many different ways.
The first peace treaty that was signed was the Camp David Peace Accord. The main points were:
1. A Framework for Peace in the Middle East
- Palestinians in West Bank and the Gaza Strip were to elect a council to govern themselves for 5 years.
- Israeli troops would be gradually withdrawn from these 2 areas
- Israel, Egypt and Jordan and Palestinian representatives would decide how the West Bank and Gaza should be ruled at the end of 5 years
- It was hoped that Israel would make peace treaties with all her Arab neighbours
Unfortunately few of the points listed above were kept to by the Israelis. The land was still claimed as Israeli land and the West Bank and Gaza Strip was still under the rule of the Israelis. The Israelis therefore never kept to the points of this treaty and therefore was a failure.
The second peace treaty that was signed was the Oslo Accords. The main points were:
- Israel allowed PLO members and leadership to return to some of the occupied territories
- Israel agreed to withdraw troops from Palestinian territories
- Israel would allow the Palestinians to elect their own government
- Israeli government would continue to be responsible for defence and foreign affairs
With this treaty the Israelis did keep some of the assigned points. This was that they allowed PLO members and leadership to return to the occupied territories and that they themselves would continue to be responsible for defence and foreign affairs. However, they broke the two big promises which was that they “Israel agreed to withdraw troops from Palestinian territories” and “Israel would allow the Palestinians to elect their own government”. Once again this meant that Israel had failed to stick to the peace treat and proved their rebel, terrorising behaviour would continue.
The third peace treaty that was signed was the Roadmap for Peace. The main points were:
Phase 1
- End of terrorism
- Return to normal life for Palestinians
- Reorganisation of Palestinian political system
- Withdrawal of Israeli soldiers from Palestinian settlements
Phase 2
- Creation of independent Palestinian state
- International conference
- International checks to male sure politicians are sticking to the Roadmap
Phase 3
- Second International Conference
- Permanent end to conflict
- Agreement on final borders, Jerusalem, refugees and settlements
- Arab states to agree to peace deals with Israel
With this treaty the Israelis did actually pull their troops out of Gaza, and surprisingly, they also allowed the Palestinians to have their own elections. So this therefore meant that the Palestinians were controlling themselves. Instead Israel controlled Palestinians in other ways. They controlled the air, sea and land of Palestine to stop any imports or exports and also denied people who were part of militant groups. They also restricted the borders of Palestine to furthermore put a stranglehold on everything that left and entered Palestine. Overall this meant that Israel lost little control than previously but just allowed the Palestinians to feel as if they were achieving something.
Thus because of this, some Palestinians felt that it was not possible to have peaceful negotiations with the Israelis in order to have any possibility of gaining back their land. Therefore they are now turning to acts of terrorism because of Israel’s rebellious attitude and their unwillingness to have talks which can result in peace between the two countries. Looking at this reason or the claim to the land, it is quite an important reason when considering and providing evidence for Israel’s explanation.
There have been many Israeli attacks in Palestinian areas. The Gaza Strip and the West Bank have suffered many attacks from the Israelis. One example of this is the attacks on the Hamas military training grounds and a school run by have denied all claims at this. In 1990, the Gaza airport was opened for flights to travel across the world. However after the al-Aqsa Intifada, this was completely closed down. (The al-aqsa Intifada began in September 2000 and was the second major wave of violence between the Palestinians and Israelis after 1967. Many Palestinians consider the Intifada to be a war of national liberation against foreign occupation, however many Israelis feel it to be a terrorist campaign.) This was because of fear of more terrorist attacks being possible. It was also to stop any possible terrorists moving from place to place, and possible spreading across the world. One major attack by the Israelis on the Palestinians was the military attack on Rafah; Rafah was one of the main Palestinian refugee camps in the Gaza strip. Hundreds of Palestinians died in this massive attack which destroyed several buildings and left the people of Palestine hopeless. This reason for the Palestinians to continue terrorism doesn’t progress anywhere. This is because once the Israelis had committed their attacks, they think it is fair that the Palestinians retaliate and use terrorism. The Israeli’s always accuse Hamas to be a terrorist group, however Hamas see it differently: Hamas do not see themselves as terrorists, but they see themselves as freedom fighters.
Ever since the election of Hamas in 2006, in Palestine, things have changed. There have been a number of sanctions which have taken place. This is because; before Hamas were is power the Palestinians were still receiving aid and money, however once Hamas got into power everything changed. This was because of the aims and ambitions of the Hamas group. The terrorism which Hamas use has resulted in many Sanctions against Hamas. And ever since there have been no loans from governments over the world, money to support the Palestinians or banks are not allowing Hamas to have money. All of these are just some of the Sanctions that have taken place against Hamas. There has also been the ongoing strict border control in the little Palestinian areas which remain. Israel ands the West have done so many things to intimidate the Palestinians and cause frustration. The Sanctions have made people retaliate because of the way they have been trated and therefore they have led to terrorism. A quote to show the determination of the Palestinians is from a Hamas supporter named Iyad. He says, “We will and overcome everything. If need be, we won’t eat anymore but we won’t give way”. This quote he said, in the defence of his beloved Hamas. The quote signifies the grit and determination people still have and the faith they show with Hamas.
The Palestinians over the past 50 years have defied a tremendous amount of suffering. Many have been living in refugee camps and have lived in terrible conditions; in complete insanity and hunger. The Palestinians have many aims which they hope to fulfil:
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Control over their own lives – The Palestinians have somewhat lost all control over their lives in every sense. They are controlled by the Israelis through checkpoints, work, daily life and even in their own homes. The control of their lives has been like an open prison and therefore has aggravated many and has caused them to commit acts of terrorism.
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All Palestinian land to be recovered - The Palestinians on a number of occasions has lost land gradually to the Israelis; through wars and constant violence. Now they want to recover the land that they once had. This is a long term cause as if this land was to be recovered it would solve all the problems for the Palestine. Therefore in my opinion this is one of the most important reasons as the Palestinians are carrying out acts of terrorism.
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Work freedom – The Palestinians all want to have the opportunity to work to feed themselves and their families. They want to be able to work with freedom. The inability to feed their families because of the Israelis is more significant to some than others. However many have become very angry due to not being allowed the work freedom. Because of this many have started to commit cats of terrorism
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End violence – The people of Palestine have suffered heavily over the past 50 years. They have been bruised and battered by the Israelis. Thousands have died and the conflict still continues. The Palestinians do not want any more violence from the Israelis and want a complete stop to all of it. This is a trigger cause as families are losing many people and this is a trigger cause as they will react to this in the form of violence and terrorism.
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Troops withdraw – The Israeli troops have been in Palestine for many decades. They have controlled the lives of the Palestinian people and have killed thousands of Palestinians. They want all of the Israeli troops out of Palestine before any more violence occurs. The Israeli troops are part of the reason why the Palestine have moved to terrorism.
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Airport reopening – The Gaza airport was the only airport in the whole of Palestine. When it was shut down, it meant that nobody could travel our of Palestine. The strict border control also stopped people travelling by car. The people of Palestine want the Gaza airport reopened to enable them to travel around the world.
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Jewish settlements – Illegal Jewish settlements have grown over the years in Palestinian land. Jews have populated in many areas of the Palestinian land. They want all of these settlements rid of so they can have a peaceful life. These settlements which are internationally illegal will irritate the Palestinians and push them to a point where they are committed to taking part in a terrorist attack.
The long term cause has to be looked at first. The long term cause is to do with the land which they are really fighting for. If there was no argument over the land, there would be no argument at all. The Palestinians and Israelis would have nothing to fight over. One of the strongest reasons for the Palestinians to carry out acts of terrorism is the treatment of the Palestinians over the past years. This is because of the extremely and unjustly and somewhat horrific treatment that they have had to endure. It is fair that the Palestinians are carrying out acts of terrorism against the Israelis. Looking from a neutral point of view it is fair to say that anybody would retaliate by taking these actions against the restrictions and awful life that they have had to suffer. Another very strong reason from the point of the Palestinians is the three treaties which have failed. The treaties which were put to together were all broken by the Israelis and so, proves the Israelis lack of understanding and humanity. It shows how the Palestinians had made efforts for peace but the Israelis did not want this. So when peaceful talks failed, people opted for an alternative approach. This was the approach of the Hamas group; all of these reasons together have motivated the terrorism from the Palestinians.