Understanding the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Section 1: 19th, 20th, and 21st Century Events Leading to and Following the Formation of the Jewish State

Brief overview of the geopolitical situation in the late 19th and early 20th centuries:

• In the waning years of the 19th century and the dawn of the 20th, the world saw a confluence of political, social, and economic changes that would set the stage for modern geopolitics.
• The Ottoman Empire, known as the "Sick Man of Europe", was at its twilight, having controlled vast territories from the Balkans to the Arabian Peninsula for centuries. This vast empire was a mosaic of diverse groups, and by the late 19th century was in a period of decline.
• Nationalistic Movements: Amidst this backdrop, the concept of nationalism started to gain traction. Ethnic and religious groups within the sprawling Ottoman territories began to seek their identity and clamored for self-determination. The Balkans were particularly volatile, leading to a series of crises and wars.
• Origins and Evolution of Zionism: Inspired by European nationalist movements, the Zionist idea of establishing a national homeland for the Jewish people in Palestine began to take shape. Theodor Herzl, often considered the father of modern political Zionism, advocated for Jewish statehood as a response to growing anti-Semitism in Europe.
  • Zionism - TRT - video
• Arab Nationalism: Parallel to Zionism was the rise of Arab nationalism. This movement sought to free the Arabic-speaking peoples from Ottoman rule and later from European colonial domination. It emphasized cultural and linguistic unity and was deeply intertwined with the idea of sovereignty and independence.

World War I and its Aftermath:

• Ottoman Empire's Decline: The Ottoman Empire's decline hastened after WWI, as it had sided with the Central Powers and was defeated. After the war, the empire was dismantled, leading to the formation of many new nations.
• League of Nations Framework: Established as an international peacekeeping organization after World War I, the League of Nations introduced the mandate system to oversee territories previously controlled by the Central Powers. This system designated certain Allied powers as "guardians" of these regions, aiming to guide them towards self-governance. The mandate and subsequent British policies laid the groundwork for increased Jewish immigration and settlement, setting the stage for eventual establishment of Israel and subsequent tensions with the Arab populace.
• Sykes-Picot Agreement (1916): A secret agreement made during World War I between Britain and France, with the consent of Russia. This agreement detailed the proposed division of the Ottoman Empire territories among the Allies. It's significant because it drew arbitrary borders, often without consideration of ethnic or sectarian groups, setting the stage for future conflicts in the region.
  • Video about the Sykes-Picot Agreement from a Kurdish perspective
  
• Balfour Declaration (1917): A public statement issued by the British government, which expressed support for the establishment of a "national home for the Jewish people" in Palestine. This declaration raised expectations among Jews and Zionists, but also led to concerns among the Arab populace in Palestine, who constituted the majority.
  • Balfour Declaration and its effects - documentary
  • Balfour Declaration Text
• San Remo Conference (1920): A meeting of the Allied Supreme Council as a continuation of the post-World War I peace conferences. At this conference, the principal Allied Powers of World War I confirmed their decisions, taken previously in the Sykes-Picot Agreement and the Balfour Declaration, to allocate mandate responsibilities for the administration of former Ottoman territories to Britain and France. Britain received the mandate for Palestine and Iraq, while France got the mandate for Syria and Lebanon.
• Establishment of the British Mandate in Palestine (1920): Britain began its official governance of the area, aiming to implement the Balfour Declaration's promise of a "national home for the Jewish people" while respecting the rights of existing non-Jewish communities.
• 1948: Creation and Catastrophe (90 min documentary)
• Palestine 1920: The Other Side of the Palestinian Story | Al Jazeera World Documentary
• Al-Nakba playlist

Interwar Period and World War II:

• Jaffa Riots (1921): Ethnic tensions between Jews and Arabs in Jaffa culminated in widespread violence.
• British White Papers: Several policy papers were issued by the British government concerning the future and status of Palestine.
  • Churchill White Paper (1922): Reiterated British commitment to the Balfour Declaration but clarified that Britain did not intend to create a Jewish state against the will of Arab inhabitants.
  • Passfield White Paper (1930): Raised concerns about Jewish immigration and land sales, suggesting certain restrictions.
  • Peel Commission Report (1937): Recommended partitioning Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states.
  • White Paper of 1939: Capped Jewish immigration and land sales, making the establishment of a Jewish state seem unlikely.
• Arab Revolt (1936-1939): Major nationalist uprising by the Arab population in Palestine against British rule and Jewish immigration.
• Jewish Insurgent Activity: During the late 1930s and 1940s, certain Jewish groups (like the Irgun and the Stern Gang) began organized resistance against British rule, leading to acts of sabotage, bombings, and assassinations.
• World War II (1939-1945): While not a Middle Eastern conflict per se, the war had significant implications for the region, with many Jews fleeing the Holocaust in Europe and seeking refuge in Palestine, exacerbating tensions.

Post-WWII Era and the Establishment of Israel:

• Post-WWII Jewish Migration: Holocaust survivors tried to immigrate to Palestine, leading to events like the Exodus 1947 incident, where a ship of Jewish refugees was turned back by the British.
• UN Special Committee on Palestine (1947): Established to recommend a solution to the ongoing conflict.
• UN Partition Plan (1947): The UN proposed partitioning Palestine into Jewish and Arab states, with Jerusalem as an international city. The Jewish leadership accepted the proposal, while the Arab leadership rejected it.
• Establishment of the State of Israel (1948): On May 14, 1948, David Ben-Gurion, the head of the Jewish Agency, proclaimed the establishment of the State of Israel.

Subsequent Conflicts and Developments:

• The 1948 Arab-Israeli War: Immediately after the declaration, Israel was invaded by neighboring Arab states, leading to the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. Despite being heavily outnumbered, the newly-formed Israeli Defense Forces managed to fend off the attacks and even expanded its territory beyond the borders set by the UN partition plan. This war resulted in an armistice in 1949, establishing the borders that are known today as the Green Line.
• The Suez Crisis (1956): A military intervention by Israel, the UK, and France in Egypt following the nationalization of the Suez Canal.
• The Six-Day War (1967): A conflict between Israel and neighboring Arab states, resulting in Israel capturing the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Sinai Peninsula, and Golan Heights.
• Israeli Settlements in Palestinian Territories: Following the 1967 Six-Day War, Israel began establishing civilian settlements in the occupied West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip. These settlements, considered illegal by the international community based on international law, particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention, have been a major point of contention in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
  • East Jerusalem: Israel annexed East Jerusalem shortly after the 1967 war and began settling its Jewish population there. Today, Israel considers the entire city its undivided capital, though this is not internationally recognized.
  • West Bank: Numerous Israeli settlements scatter the West Bank, often strategically positioned on hilltops. They range from small outposts to large towns with thousands of residents.
  • Gaza Strip: Israel established several settlements in the Gaza Strip after 1967. However, in 2005, Israel unilaterally evacuated all its settlements from Gaza in what's known as the "Disengagement Plan".
  • International Stance: The majority of the international community considers Israeli settlements in the occupied territories as illegal. However, Israel disputes this, citing historical, political, and religious connections to the land.
  • Peace Process Implication: The settlements and their continued expansion have posed significant challenges to the peace process, as they alter the demographics and the map of the region, complicating the establishment of a contiguous Palestinian state.
• The Yom Kippur War (1973): A surprise attack on Israel by Egypt and Syria.
• Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990): A multifaceted civil war in Lebanon. Various countries, including Israel and Syria, intervened in the conflict.
• Israel's Invasion of Lebanon (1982):
  • Background: Tensions had been escalating on the Israel-Lebanon border for years due to PLO rocket attacks and cross-border raids into Israel. Additionally, Israel aimed to weaken or eliminate the PLO's influence in Lebanon and reduce Syrian influence over Beirut.
  • Operation Peace for Galilee: Launched on June 6, 1982, this operation initially aimed to push PLO forces 40 kilometers north of the Israeli border. However, the invasion quickly expanded. Israeli forces, led by Defense Minister Ariel Sharon, reached and besieged Beirut within weeks.
  • Beirut Siege: The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) laid siege to Beirut, where the leadership of the PLO was based. Intense fighting, combined with negotiations, led to a U.S.-brokered agreement in which PLO fighters were evacuated from Beirut to various Arab countries, notably Tunisia.
  • Sabra and Shatila Massacre: After the assassination of Lebanese president-elect Bashir Gemayel, a close ally of Israel, Christian Phalange militiamen entered the Palestinian refugee camps of Sabra and Shatila in Beirut, killing hundreds (some estimates say thousands) of civilians. The Israeli army, which surrounded the area, was criticized for not intervening to stop the massacre.
  • Israeli Occupation: After the siege of Beirut, Israel established a "security zone" in southern Lebanon, aiming to prevent PLO attacks. This occupation faced significant resistance, especially from the Shiite militant group Hezbollah, and lasted until Israel's unilateral withdrawal in 2000.
  • Consequences: The invasion and subsequent occupation of Lebanon were costly for Israel in terms of casualties, resources, and international reputation. The invasion also significantly shifted the political dynamics in Lebanon, giving rise to Shiite groups like Hezbollah, which became a major adversary of Israel in the following decades.
• The Camp David Accords (1978): Peace negotiations between Israel and Egypt, leading to the Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty in 1979.
• Formation of Hamas (1987): Hamas, or "Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiyya" meaning "Islamic Resistance Movement", was founded during the First Intifada. An offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood, it aimed to resist Israeli occupation through both military and socio-political means. Led by figures like Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, Hamas has played significant roles in Palestinian resistance, while also establishing a socio-political presence, especially in the Gaza Strip.
• The First Intifada (1987-1993): Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation.
• Formation of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in 1964: Created as an umbrella organization for Palestinian nationalist groups, and became the main representative body of the Palestinian people.
• Oslo Accords (1993-1995): Peace agreements between Israel and the PLO.
• The Second Intifada (2000-2005): Another Palestinian uprising following the failure of the Camp David 2000 Summit.
• Death of Yasser Arafat (2004): The long-time leader of the PLO and the first President of the Palestinian National Authority, Yasser Arafat, died in a hospital in France. His death marked the end of an era in Palestinian politics and leadership.
• Israel's Disengagement from Gaza (2005): Israel's unilateral withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.
• 2006 Lebanon War: A 34-day military conflict in Lebanon and northern Israel, primarily between Hezbollah and Israel.
• Gaza Conflicts (2008-2009, 2012, 2014, 2021): Series of military confrontations between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
• U.S.-brokered Abraham Accords (2020): Normalization agreements between Israel and several Arab countries, including the UAE, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco.
• Hamas attacks and backlash (2023)

Section 2: Facts in Antiquity and Reliable Sources

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is not merely a product of the 20th and 21st centuries. Its roots can be traced back to ancient times, where both Jews and Arabs base their historical claims to the region on events, kingdoms, and settlements that existed thousands of years ago. Understanding this deep historical context is essential for a comprehensive view of the present-day situation.

The Hebrew Bible and Jewish Texts:

The Hebrew Bible, particularly the Torah (the first five books), is a foundational text for the Jewish people. It recounts the narrative of Abraham, the patriarch of the Jewish nation, and the covenant he made with God in Canaan, the land that is now called Israel and Palestine. Subsequent books tell of the Exodus from Egypt under Moses' leadership and the eventual establishment of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. While these texts have religious significance, they also serve as historical records of the Jewish connection to the region.

• Talmud and Midrash: These post-biblical texts expand upon the biblical stories and laws, offering interpretations and anecdotes about life in ancient Israel and the diaspora.

Ancient Near Eastern Texts:

The broader Near East, including Mesopotamia and Egypt, has its own collection of historical records that sometimes reference ancient Israel or its inhabitants.

• Egyptian Records: Pharaoh Merneptah's stele, for instance, boasts of a victory over Israel in the late 13th century BCE, serving as one of the earliest external attestations of an Israelite entity.
• Mesopotamian Records: Assyrian and Babylonian chronicles detail their conquests and interactions with various city-states and kingdoms, including those in ancient Israel and Judah.

Greek and Roman Accounts:

Classical historians offer external views of the region and its inhabitants.

• Herodotus: Known as the 'Father of History', he provides accounts of the various peoples and places he encountered, including some that pertain to the Levant.
• Flavius Josephus: A Jewish-Roman historian, his works, especially "The Jewish War" and "Antiquities of the Jews", provide invaluable insights into the Jewish life and history during the Second Temple period, including the Roman conquest and the Jewish revolts.

Archaeological Findings:

Material evidence can offer a more neutral perspective on the ancient history of the region.

• Tel Dan Stele: An Aramaic inscription from the 9th century BCE that mentions the "House of David", providing potential archaeological evidence for the existence of King David.
• Jerusalem: The capital's archaeological layers reveal its history as a Canaanite city, its establishment as the capital of the Kingdom of Israel under King David, the First and Second Temples, and its various phases under different empires including the Roman, Byzantine, Islamic, and Ottoman periods.

Section 3: Rationale for a Jewish State in Palestine (Jewish Perspective)

• Biblical Promises: The belief in the Land of Israel as promised by God.
• Historical Presence: The continuous Jewish presence in the region over millennia.
• The Need for a Safe Haven: The desire for a refuge from persecution, especially post-Holocaust.
• Cultural and National Revival: The aspiration to rejuvenate Jewish culture, language, and national identity.

Section 4: Rationale Against the Legitimacy of a Jewish State (Palestinian/Arab/Muslim Perspective)

• Displacement and Dispossession: The Nakba and its implications for the Palestinian population.
• Colonialism and Foreign Intervention: Viewing the creation of Israel in the context of global colonial movements.
• Ongoing Occupation: The issues surrounding the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem.
• Right of Return: The significance of the demand for Palestinian refugees to return to their homes.