The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is one of the longest and most complex conflicts in the world. It involves issues of land, religion, identity, security, and human rights. The conflict has its roots in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when Zionism, a movement that sought to establish a Jewish homeland in Palestine, emerged in response to anti-Semitism and persecution in Europe. At the same time, Arab nationalism and resistance to colonialism also grew in the region, leading to tensions and clashes between the Jewish and Arab communities.
The British Mandate and the Partition Plan
After World War I, the Ottoman Empire, which had ruled over Palestine for centuries, collapsed and was divided by the victorious powers. Britain gained control of Palestine under a mandate from the League of Nations, with the aim of facilitating the establishment of a Jewish national home, as promised in the 1917 Balfour Declaration, while respecting the rights and interests of the existing Arab population. However, Britain faced increasing difficulties in balancing these conflicting objectives, as Jewish immigration and land purchases increased, and Arab opposition and violence intensified.
In 1947, Britain decided to end its mandate and referred the question of Palestine’s future to the United Nations. The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution that proposed to partition Palestine into two states: one Jewish and one Arab, with Jerusalem under international administration. The Jewish Agency, the main representative of the Jewish community in Palestine, accepted the plan, but the Arab Higher Committee, the main representative of the Arab community, rejected it. The plan was also opposed by neighboring Arab states, which saw it as a betrayal of their rights and interests.
The 1948 War and Its Aftermath
On May 14, 1948, as the British mandate expired, the Jewish Agency declared the establishment of the State of Israel. The next day, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria invaded Israel, starting the first Arab-Israeli war. The war lasted until 1949, when armistice agreements were signed between Israel and its Arab adversaries. The war resulted in significant territorial changes: Israel expanded its territory beyond the partition plan boundaries, occupying about 78% of Palestine; Jordan occupied and annexed the West Bank; and Egypt occupied the Gaza Strip. About 700,000 Palestinians became refugees, fleeing or being expelled from their homes in what became Israel. About 160,000 Palestinians remained in Israel as citizens.
The 1967 War and Its Consequences
In June 1967, another war broke out between Israel and its Arab neighbors: Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. The war lasted only six days but had profound implications for the region. Israel captured the Sinai Peninsula from Egypt, the Golan Heights from Syria, and the West Bank and East Jerusalem from Jordan. Israel also gained control over Gaza Strip from Egypt. These territories became known as the occupied Palestinian territories (OPT), where about 1.3 million Palestinians lived under Israeli military rule.
The war also triggered a new wave of Palestinian nationalism and resistance. In 1964, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) was founded as an umbrella group for various factions that sought to liberate Palestine from Israeli occupation by armed struggle. The PLO was led by Yasser Arafat, who became its chairman in 1969. The PLO carried out guerrilla attacks against Israel from its bases in Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria.
The Peace Process and Its Challenges
In 1978-1979, Israel and Egypt signed a peace treaty that ended their state of war and led to Israel’s withdrawal from Sinai. In 1982-1985, Israel invaded Lebanon to destroy the PLO’s infrastructure there. In 1987-1993, the first intifada (uprising) erupted in OPT against Israeli occupation. In 1993-1995, Israel and PLO signed a series of agreements known as Oslo Accords that established mutual recognition and a framework for interim self-government for Palestinians in parts of OPT. In 1994-1996, Israel signed peace treaties with Jordan and Lebanon.
However, the peace process faced many obstacles and setbacks. The final status issues that were supposed to be resolved by 1999 remained unresolved: Jerusalem’s status; borders; security; settlements; refugees; water rights; etc. Violence continued to erupt periodically between Israelis and Palestinians: suicide bombings by militant groups such as Hamas; targeted killings by Israeli forces; clashes at holy sites; etc. In 2000-2005, the second intifada (uprising) broke out after a failed summit at Camp David. In 2005, Israel unilaterally withdrew from Gaza Strip but maintained control over its borders, airspace, and waters. In 2006, Hamas won parliamentary elections in OPT but was not recognized by Israel or most of the international community. In 2007, Hamas seized control of Gaza Strip from Fatah, the main faction of PLO, leading to a split between the West Bank and Gaza Strip. In 2008-2009, 2012, 2014, and 2021, Israel and Hamas engaged in several rounds of armed conflict in Gaza Strip that caused heavy casualties and destruction.
The Current Situation and Prospects
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains unresolved and volatile. The two sides have not held direct negotiations since 2014. The US, which has been the main mediator of the peace process, has adopted a pro-Israel stance under the Trump administration, recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and endorsing its annexation of the Golan Heights. The UN, the EU, the Arab League, and other international actors have called for a two-state solution based on the pre-1967 borders and international law, but have little leverage or influence over the parties. The Palestinians are divided between Fatah and Hamas, which have failed to reconcile or hold elections. The Israelis are also divided between right-wing and centrist parties, which have struggled to form a stable government or agree on a policy toward the Palestinians.
The prospects for a peaceful resolution of the conflict seem dim at the moment. However, some factors may create opportunities or incentives for dialogue and compromise in the future: regional dynamics such as the normalization of relations between Israel and some Arab states; public opinion and civil society initiatives that support peace and coexistence; human rights and humanitarian concerns that demand justice and dignity for all; etc. The conflict is not inevitable or unsolvable; it is a human-made problem that requires a human-made solution.
