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ClearIAS » Current Affairs Notes » Israel-Palestine Conflict: History, Wars, and Solution

Israel-Palestine Conflict: History, Wars, and Solution

Last updated on February 20, 2017 by Clear IAS Team

We have been receiving many requests from our readers to create an easy-to-understand article covering all the issues related with Israel-Palestine. Though it’s not easy to cover every dimension within a limited space, in this post, we have tried our best to create a comprehensive article on Isreal-Palestine conflict.

The Israel-Palestine conflict – often referred as the ‘world’s most intractable conflict’ – is rooted in a dispute over land claimed by Jews as their biblical birthright and by the Palestinians, who seek self-determination. Despite repeated attempts to end the conflict between the two countries, there is no peace settlement in sight.

The History of Israel-Palestine Conflict

History of Israel

  • Jews have been persecuted throughout the history due to their religious beliefs and foreign culture.
  • In 1897, Jews started a movement called a Zionist movement, to escape persecution and establish their own state in their ancestral homeland, Israel. The World Zionist Organisation was created to advocate for the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine.
  • As a result, a large number of Jews started flowing into Palestine and they bought land and started settling down there.
  • By 1916, Palestine came under the British control after the Sykes-Picot Agreement (a secret agreement between Great Britain and France). This led to the division of the old Ottoman Turkish Empire.
  • Later through Balfour declaration, the British foreign secretary James Balfour agreed to the establishment of a Jewish homeland.
  • After Nazis gained power in Germany in 1930s, the Jews influx to Palestine took a major turn with hundreds of thousands of them resettled from Europe to Palestine. Arabs saw this as a threat to their homeland and they fought bitterly with them. As the British Government remained as a mute spectator, violence reached its peak.
  • In 1947, the British Government referred the question of the future of Palestine to the United Nations. UN voted to split the land into two countries. Jewish people accepted the agreement and declared independence of Israel.

Arab’s fight against the Israel (1948-49)

  • Arabs saw the creation of Israel as a part of a conspiracy to move them out of their land. Consequently, in 1948, the Arab states of Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, and Syria declared war on Israel.
  • Note: It’s interesting to note here that India opposed the UN resolution and Gandhi called it as a crime against humanity. But India recognized Israel in 1950.
  • At the end of the war between Israel and Arab countries, Israel emerged victoriously. Moreover, it could increase its territory to a larger extent and it marked the beginning of the expansionist policy of Israel.
  • As a consequence of the war, a large number of Palestinians either flee or were forced to move out of Israel and settle in refugee camps near Israel’s border. It was the beginning of Palestine refugee crisis which ultimately led to the creation of a terrorist organization PLO (Palestine Liberation Organization) in 1964.

Israel’s fight against the Arab countries (1967)

Israel Pre-War 1967 Boundaries MapIn 1967, Israel launched a preemptive strike against Egypt, Syria, and Jordan and at the end of this Six-Day War, Israel captured:

  1. Golan Heights from Syria.
  2. West Bank and East Jerusalem from Jordan.
  3. Sinai Peninsula and Gaza Strip from Egypt. (Refer the map above)
  • The 1967 war is particularly important for today’s conflict, as it left Israel in control of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, two territories home to a large number of Palestinians.
  • Gaza and Westbank are together known as ‘Occupied Territories’, after 1967 war.

UN Charter and return of the Sinai Peninsula

Israel-Palestine conflict and the Palestinian loss of land

  • Under the UN Charter, there can lawfully be no territorial gains from war, even by a state acting in self-defense.
  • Therefore, in response to the Six-Day War, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution for ‘Land for peace’ and it mandated that Israel should return the captured areas back to the defeated nations.
  • In the light of Israel’s reluctance to return the captured territories, another Arab-Israeli war erupted in 1973 (Yom Kippur war) in which Israel suffered some setbacks.
  • In 1979, Israel-Egypt signed a peace treaty, accordingly Israel return Sinai Peninsula to Egypt (1982). Egypt became the first Arab nation to officially recognize Israel as a state.

Hamas and Fatah

  • In 1987, Hamas (Islamic Militant group) for the liberation of Palestine through Jihad came into existence. It refused to recognize Israel as a country. It has received support from Iran and Syria.
  • On the other hand, Fatah, a faction of PLO under Yasser Arafat received support from Western nations.

Intifada (uprising) against Israel occupancy

  • First Intifada: The tension between Israel and Palestine escalated with Israel’s increased settlement in West Bank and Gaza Strip. Palestinians living which in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip fomented the riots begun in 1987, known as the first intifada.
  • Oslo Peace Accord: With the mediation of US and Russia in 1993, Israel and PLO signed Oslo Peace accord which was based on the concept of two state solution. Palestine and Israel signed the Declaration of Principles – in which both nations seek recognition as autonomous governing bodies. PLO recognized Isreal. Isreal agreed to give independence to the ‘occupied territories’. However, territories remained under Israel possession.
  • Camp David Summit (2000): It aimed to help the two sides finally agree on a settlement, but the talks eventually failed. The violence led to the Second Intifada.
  • Second Intifada (2000-05): In 2000, a more violent Palestine Uprising started and a large number of civilians died on both sides. This is known as the second intifada. As a defensive measure, Israel constructed a West Bank Barrier along West Bank to separate Israel and Palestine settlements.
  • Gaza Expulsion plan: This is a unilateral disarmament plan by Israel by which Israel’s defense forces leave the Gaza strip and four settlements in the northern West Bank (2005)

Tensions between Hamas and Fatah

Fatah-vs-Hamas

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  • After Oslo accord, a Palestinian Authority (PA) was created with a limited self-rule power in the occupied territories.
  • But this led to disputes between Hamas and Fatah for political power.
  • Hamas – do not accept the Oslo peace accord or 2 state peace resolution. They want the whole state. They control Gaza. Hamas is supported by Iran.
  • Fatah – accept the Oslo peace accord and negotiates for peace. They control West Bank.
  • In 2006, Hamas won Palestine election and it intensified the tensions between Fatah and Hamas for power. After a long armed struggle, in 2011 Palestinian Rivals Fatah and Hamas signed a Reconciliation Pact.
  • Currently, Gaza is controlled by Hamas and Palestine West bank region by Fatah with known presence of Israeli settlements.
  • Operation Protective Edge: By Israel to punish Hamas for abducting and killing Israeli settlers.

Israel-Palestine conflict and US

  • The US has been playing a significant role as the mediator in the Israel-Palestine. However, its credibility as a mediator had long been questioned by Palestinians. The United States has been criticized by the OIC (Organization of Islamic cooperation) and other Arab organizations, for vetoing most Security Council decisions critical of Israel.
  • Note: The USA has more Jews than Israel. Jews have significance control over US media and economy.
  • Also, Israel receives about $3 billion in direct foreign assistance each year, which is roughly one-fifth of America’s entire foreign aid budget.
  • On the other side, United States has been vocal about its intention to veto any Palestinian bid for statehood. Due to which Palestine had to be satisfied with a ‘non-member observer’ status in UN.
  • However, the second term of Obama administration saw a degrading US-Israel relationship. Iran Nuclear deal of 2015 irritated Israel and it criticized the US for the deal.
  • Obama administration allowed the United Nations to pass a resolution that declared Israel’s growing settlements in the occupied territories illegal. Until that vote, the Obama administration had blocked resolutions criticizing Israel by using its veto power in the UN Security Council.
  • With the new presidency regime under Trump, who is more inclined to Israel, the illegal settlements by the Israel in West Bank and Gaza may see a rise.

What does Palestine want?

Palestinian Refugees

  • They want Israeli to withdraw to pre-1967 borders and establish independent Palestine state in West Bank and Gaza.
  • Israel should stop all expansion of settlements before coming to peace talks.
  • Palestine wants Palestine refugees who lost their homes in 1948 be able to come back.
  • Palestine wants East Jerusalem as the capital of Independent Palestine state.

What does Israel want?

  • Sovereignty over Jerusalem.
  • Recognition of Israel as a Jewish State. Note: Israel is the only country in the world created for a religious community.
  • The right of return of Palestine refugees only to Palestine and not to Israel.

What is so special with Jerusalem?

Jerusalem is a city that straddles the border between Israel and the West Bank. It’s home to some of the holiest sites in both Judaism and Islam, and so both Israel and Palestine want to make it their cap the solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.

The solution for the Israel-Palestine conflict

Israel Map

  • The best solution is a “two-state solution” that would establish Palestine as an independent state in Gaza and most of the West Bank, leaving the rest of the land to Israel. Though the two-state plan is clear in theory, the two sides are still deeply divided over how to make it work in practice.
  • One state solution (only Palestine or only Israel) is not a viable option.
  • Road Map for Peace: The European Union, UN, US, and Russia had released a road map in 2003, which outlined a clear timetable towards a Palestinian state.
  • The democratization of the Palestinian society through which a new credible leadership can emerge is necessary.
  • The need of the hour is to treat this conflict as Israeli-Arab conflict rather Israel-Palestine. As we have seen, conflict is not only between Israel and Palestine but also with other Arab countries such as Egypt, Jordan, Iran, Syria etc. All of them should participate in the negotiations and the final agreement should be recognized formally by each one of them along with UN general assembly and security council.
  • It is time for the international community to find a just and lasting peaceful solution to the World’s most intractable conflict soon.

 Article by: Sreeresmi S

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Pournami says

    February 14, 2017 at 9:03 pm

    Nice. Thank you.

    Reply
    • ClearIAS.com says

      February 14, 2017 at 10:33 pm

      Thank you for your positive comments.

  2. Pramodh Rajappa says

    February 14, 2017 at 9:27 pm

    Almost all the aspects are covered. Presented in a lucid manner. U guys are the best….. please come up with more articles…. waiting for it
    Thank you sreeresmi s…

    Reply
    • ClearIAS.com says

      February 14, 2017 at 10:32 pm

      We really value your positive feedback about our articles. We do take pride in catering to our readers needs the best way we can. Thank you!

  3. Haokip says

    February 14, 2017 at 10:11 pm

    Good article..but one mistake….
    Currently Gaza is control by Hamas and not by Fatah……west bank control by Fatah.

    And Tomorrow i.e 15th Feb. PM Benjamin and Donald Trump will have a meeting in Washington to discuss the settlement expansion of Israel in the West Bank.

    Note : on Dec last year, Israel govt announced new 3000 residential homes in west bank. This was a reaction of the UNSC resolution that condemn Israeli settlement expansion which the US under Obama abstained it from vetoing the resolution, a policy shift from the past.
    Donald Trump is supporting the Israel and during his campaign, he said that he will shift US Embassy from tel-aviv to east Jerusalem……which is the designated capital of future Palestine state. The Hamas warns of THIRD INTIFADA if Trump shift the embassy.

    Reply
    • ClearIAS.com says

      February 14, 2017 at 10:37 pm

      @Haokip: Big thanks! We have updated the same. And thank you for adding updates, which is really a value addition. All the best!

    • Haokip says

      February 14, 2017 at 10:47 pm

      Thanks too.. I have just finish writing article on isreal-palestine conundrum, this made me follow every new developments over the issue cautiously. Tomorrow’s meeting in white House is very crucial. lets wait and watch !

  4. Tribeni dalabehera says

    February 14, 2017 at 10:17 pm

    Thank you so much for this important information

    Reply
    • ClearIAS.com says

      February 14, 2017 at 10:38 pm

      Great to know that the content is truly valued. Thank you!

  5. Akash says

    February 14, 2017 at 11:18 pm

    Thanks Team

    Reply
  6. Ranveer Singh Legha says

    February 15, 2017 at 10:31 am

    Thanks a lot for this valuable information.

    Reply
  7. Lekshmi says

    February 15, 2017 at 12:20 pm

    Thank you so much for this article. Got a clear understanding about this topic. Please include India’s stand on this issue.

    Reply
    • ClearIAS.com says

      February 15, 2017 at 1:16 pm

      We will be coming up with a separate stand on India’s stand on Israel-Palestine issue.

    • Aditya Shekhar says

      May 6, 2018 at 12:35 pm

      Please upload the link to this.
      Thanks

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    February 15, 2017 at 1:11 pm

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    February 15, 2017 at 1:35 pm

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    helps to build concepts from the scratch even for a Tyro..!!

    Reply
  10. Rama says

    February 15, 2017 at 4:58 pm

    Really excellent work and informative.. Thanks

    Reply
  11. shoket hussain says

    February 15, 2017 at 6:12 pm

    Thnku soooo much….Really appreciable and understandable

    Reply
  12. Vijesh says

    February 15, 2017 at 6:54 pm

    Really good content with perfectly drawn flow of thought.

    Reply
  13. Manasvi says

    February 16, 2017 at 7:27 am

    This article is too good… Sir can you pen out Baluchistan and Pakistan revolt

    Reply
  14. Kubavat Reeta says

    February 16, 2017 at 3:42 pm

    Thank you sir. your Articals very useful to us to understand whole concept of particular issues

    Reply
  15. Nivas says

    February 17, 2017 at 5:17 pm

    Very helpful and needed article done I am happy now thanks clearias

    Reply
  16. Chhote lal Yadav says

    February 18, 2017 at 8:36 pm

    Such posts increase my chances in cse

    Reply
  17. Abhijit k s says

    February 20, 2017 at 1:56 am

    thank you for the overview but i beg to differ on the applicability of the solution. The sad reality is Israel is way too powerful in sense of weaponry and financial capability. They control the media, from hollywood to news agencies in the USA and induce corporate arm twisting of US elections. it possesses nuclear capability which makes discussions rather one sided. India’s defense purchase from Israel is another reason why unbiased countries like India will be reluctant to negotiate an understanding. the change of India’s voting pattern in favor of Israel is a proof of how influential this nation is.

    Reply
  18. Sai Rohit says

    February 21, 2017 at 3:36 pm

    Super
    Now I understood this concept sir
    Thanks
    For your wonderful work

    Reply
  19. Bhaswati Jyotsna says

    February 21, 2017 at 4:37 pm

    I found clear IAS,the best app for Civil services exam…..its articles are of great help…..please provide some articles on international organizations.

    Reply
  20. raman kant says

    February 27, 2017 at 9:56 am

    very good … mostly cleared this topic

    Reply
  21. ANISH says

    April 12, 2017 at 8:27 pm

    cleared article. Please upload more international issues.

    Reply
  22. Ravinder says

    April 26, 2017 at 8:14 pm

    Thanks clearias

    Reply
  23. Ingsho subba says

    July 10, 2017 at 1:44 pm

    Well prepared..Thanks a lot

    Reply
  24. Satyabrata Mohanty says

    July 24, 2017 at 1:46 pm

    why India is inactive in Israel and Palestine conflict. what should be the role the India ??

    Reply
  25. ANUJ PRAJAPATI says

    August 17, 2017 at 4:32 pm

    COMPLETE ARTICLE

    Reply
  26. ANUJ PRAJAPATI says

    August 17, 2017 at 4:33 pm

    comprehensive article with almost facts

    Reply
  27. Vivek says

    November 7, 2017 at 3:19 am

    “Note: Israel is the only country in the world created for a religious community.” This is wrong, The writer of this article is not well versed with indian history. Pakistan was also created for the sole purpose of 1 community. even its name has islamic in it

    Reply
  28. Joel says

    December 17, 2017 at 10:52 pm

    Where is Palestine in the picture? It’s the Arab countries that fought wars in 1948,1967 & 1979. Also when a Jewish state was created by a UN declaration, why didn’t they create a Palestinian state along with the Jewish state?
    Now, Palestine remains a no-man’s territory.

    Reply
  29. Kareem Austin says

    February 4, 2018 at 7:33 pm

    Why when the Palestinians stand up for their rights and land their labeled terrorist

    Reply
  30. nycel says

    September 24, 2018 at 5:56 pm

    clearly stated and illustrated, thanks
    I am no Jew or Arab but I treasure Jerusalem as this is where Christ did his ministry. Thanks so much for this very informative and helpful article, God bless you.

    Reply
  31. Jincy paul says

    January 7, 2019 at 11:01 am

    Thank you Clear Ias

    Reply
  32. Khushbakht Barira says

    July 11, 2019 at 10:55 am

    Thank you for this great article, I’m studying this for my exam
    Khush Bakht Barira
    Karachi, Pakistan

    Reply

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