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Israel Palestine Conflict

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BURNING ISSUES

ISRAEL vs PALESTINE CONFLICT

 The Israeli–Palestinian conflict has its roots in the late 19th and early 20th centuries,
with the birth of major nationalist movements among the Jews and among the
Arabs, both geared towards attaining sovereignty for their people in the Middle
East. The collision between those two forces in southern Levant and the emergence
of Palestinian nationalism in the 1920s eventually escalated into the Israeli–
Palestinian conflict in 1947, and expanded into the wider Arab-Israeli conflict later
on.
 Palestine was controlled by Ottoman Empire, which was based in modern day
turkey. Upto world war I, there was no conflict between Israel and Palestinians.
 Zionism sprung up during the 1800s, came about because of Europe’s anti-Semitism.
(Anti-Semitism: Hostility toward or prejudice against Jews or Judaism). Zionism is the
idea that Jewish people should have a national home of their own, preferably in the
Middle East. Jews lived in this area for thousands of years, hence they should set up
their national home.
 Things were looking bad for Ottoman Empire who was ruling the Israel and Palestine
area from other major world powers like British. During this war, British issued a
letter of support for a Jewish national home in Palestine. This letter is known as the
“Balfour Declaration”. The letter said “His majesty’s govt. will favour for a national
home for Jewish people and use the best endeavours to this object it being clearly
understood nothing will be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of
the non-Jewish communities in Palestine.
 After the WW II ended Britain was given power to control Palestine. In 1922 the
League of Nations approved a British “mandate” for the area.
 At that time, Palestine was 90% Arab, declaration led to a lot of Jewish immigration
to Palestine, Particularly from Europe where they were increasingly persecuted by
Hitler and the Nazis.
 After WW II (1947) British turned over the Palestine to UN when the UN resolved the
partition of the countries into 2 states. 57% Israel and 43% would be Palestine.
Palestine rejected this resolution. There was a lot of violence in Palestine and many
people left Palestine for this reason and many others forcibly expelled.
 In 1948, Jewish settlers declared the creation of the state of Israel without defining
its borders. Then war immediately broke out between the new state of Israel and
several Arab countries. 1949, Israel controlled 78% of the area of Palestine.
Remaining portion consisting of west bank was controlled by Jordan. Gaza strip was
controlled by Egypt. 1967 Israel launched a surprise attack thinking the Arab
countries would recognise Israel. Arab countries denied this. As a result of the attack
Israel controlled 100% of the Palestine. After the occupation Israel constructed many
illegal buildings in the area.
 Palestinian narrative: Anxiety caused by Jewish immigration into Palestine in the 20 th
century. The occupation of the west bank, Gaza strip and east Jerusalem since 1967.
 Israeli Narrative: Long history of Jewish persecution and the holocaust of the 20 th
century. Hence for Jews, Israel is a safe haven and they have a spiritual connection to
the holy land.
 INDIA supports UNHRC resolution to probe Israel’s offensive on Gaza. In the 47
member council, 29 countries which also included other BRICS member voted in
support of the Palestinian drafted resolution on “Ensuring Respect for international
law in the occupied Palestinian territories” while 17 abstained from voting. The US
was the only country to vote against the resolution. Europeans abstained.

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