Israel-Palestine Conflict

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a part of the greater Arab-Israeli long-running conflict in the Middle East. The main point of this conflict is the existence of the state of Israel and its relations with Arab states and with the Palestinian population in the area. The idea and concept of Israel was born in the mid 19th century. Jews of Europe and America wanted a place for their homeland, where they could go and be with others of the same race and religion. Palestine was chosen because of its religious routs from The Bible as the “promised land” from God, and the motherland of Jews fled, known as the Diaspora. By the late 19th century there was a significant number of Jewish activists, calling themselves and the movement Zionists. The movement was established by journalist Theodor Herzl who declared the aim of Zionist movement to establish Jewish home in Palestine. (http://www.teena.org.il) But at the beginning of 20th century, the Ottoman Empire controlled Palestine, so it was virtually impossible to establish the independent state there. The First World War became the turning point in the history of the Middle East for Jews and Arabs. It brought Britain onto the stage. In July 1915 the promise was made between Sherif Hussein and Sir Henry McMahon and was called the McMahon Promise. Arabs were promised independence, which they desired so much. But two years later the Balfour Declaration was established on 2nd November 1917, as a “declaration of sympathy”. Britain needed help with the war to win. Without consulting the Palestinians, the British government offered to support the establishment of a Jewish national home in Palestine while "it being understood that nothing shall be done that may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing no-Jewish communities in Palestine" and preserving the rights of Europe's Jews in their countries of origin (www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balfour_Declaration_1917 ).

By 1918 both Jews and Arabs believed that they had the right to rule themselves in their own land – Palestine. However, at the end of war Britain regretted to give independence both Arabs and Jewish. Palestine became a territory governed by Britain. Increased Jewish immigration led to the worsening of the relations between communities. Jews were purchasing land and would not employ Arab workers, who may have been working on that land for their whole life. Britain tried to restrict the immigration of Jews, but because of the strong Jewish lobby in it’s own and US governments could do ...

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After the end of World War II horrible information about Holocaust fled the world. Thousand of Jews from labor camps had no home to return to. All this caused sympathy for the Jews. In 1947 United Nation General Assembly issued resolution #181 according to which Palestine was divided into three parts: an Arab state, a Jewish state and an International zone around Jerusalem. Each state had 50% of the original land, which made the Palestinians very unhappy because 90% of Arab farm land was in the Jewish states and it meant that thousands of Palestinians had to move out to allow the Jews in. But Jewish was very happy, because they at last got what they wanted – a homeland (www.teena.org.il).

In 1948, the new State of Israel was proclaimed, and the day after five neighbor Arab countries declared a war to Israel. There was around 40 million Arabs fighting half a million Jews. Amazingly, but Jews won and gained more land as a result. There was the first Arab-Israeli war in 1949; other wars that followed include the Six Day War of 1967, and the Yom Kippur war of 1973. During those wars Israel occupied the West Bank, Gaza strip, Sinai, and Golan Heights in Syria. Israel keeps those lands as pledge for peace talks with Arabs, promising to give it back when Arab countries sing a Peace Treaty with Israel. Also 2 intifadas (in Arabic language term for "uprising") 1987-1991 and 2000-nowadays happened and led to numerous victims among Jewish and Arabs. It is one of the most significant aspects in recent years of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict (http://radar.ngcsu.edu/~jsommers/IPCONFLICT/chronology.html)

It has been 60 years since the State of Israel was proclaimed, but the Israel – Palestine conflict is still one of the burning issues in the world. During Cold War both USA and USSR confronted in this conflict. The occupation of Palestine also played a main role in birth of Islamite extremism, which is one of the main problems of the modern world.

For Arab countries the idea of “free Palestine” became a “symbol of faith”. Maybe if not of this problem, the attitude of Muslim world toward US and all other Western World would be more peaceful. Except the freedom of Palestine there are also several important point in the conflict. First of all is Jerusalem with its status and Temple Mount in it. This city is a holy site to both sides, and both sides believe it should be theirs and both want to control it. The Israelis do not want the Arabs in Jerusalem and the Arabs want to be allowed into Jerusalem to visit their holy sites. This cause conflicts and tends to end in violence. The second important issue is the refuge camps. During the First war in 1949 and war of 1967 thousands and thousands of Palestinians were made refugees and put into camps, where they life till now. This factor is very politically important, because Israel denies its responsibility for those refuges. This again causes tension and the wave of terrorism, because many terrorist come directly from those refuge camps where the hatred against Israel is very high. Another important factor is the West Bank Both sides claim that the land is theirs and both sides want to have it. It was given to the Arabs in 1948 but Israel took it during the 1967 war. It is a long-term factor; it has been preventing peace since 1948.

As it can be seen, the situation is so complicated in the region, and with both sides seeing only its own “truth” it is too hard to say when all this would be over. The death of Yasser Arafat in 2004 became a turning point in the Israel – Palestine conflict. Soon after his death, the alignment of forces in the region cardinally changed. The new government headed by Mahmud Abass seems to be more peace orientated. At last there is a clear vision of two independent states on one land – Israel and Palestine. According to “Road Map”, a peace regulating plan signed by both sides through the mediation of US, a cease fire treaty was concluded. Israel has already withdrawn armies from occupied Gaza Strip and continue to liquidate illegal settlements. Palestine for its turn held an elections and struggles with terrorist organizations like Hamas. (www.newsru.com)But there are still so many problems to be solved, most important being the Palestinian refugees and the future of Jerusalem. There is always be tension as long as there are extremists who will not allow a compromises unless it fully suits them, and with all the fear, hatred and suspicion between the two groups it will be very difficult to come to an ongoing peace agreement in the near future.

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