Understanding the Origins of the Israel-Palestine Conflict

The conflict between Israelis and Palestinians is one of the most complex and long-standing struggles in modern history. It is a conflict rooted in religion, land, identity, and nationalism, with deep historical roots that go back more than a century. At its core, it revolves around who has the right to live and govern in the land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea — an area that both Jews and Palestinians consider their homeland.

Historical Background

In the late 1800s, the region known as Palestine was part of the Ottoman Empire. It was home to a mix of people, including Muslims, Christians, and Jews. Around this time, a political movement called Zionism began in Europe. Zionists were Jews who wanted to create a national homeland for Jewish people, many of whom were facing antisemitism and persecution in Europe. They looked to Palestine, the ancient homeland of the Jewish people, as the place to establish this state.

Meanwhile, Palestinian Arabs — who had lived in the land for generations — had their own growing sense of nationalism. They viewed Palestine as their land, and they were concerned about the growing number of Jewish immigrants arriving in the early 1900s.

British Rule and the Balfour Declaration

After World War I, the Ottoman Empire collapsed, and Britain took control of Palestine under a League of Nations mandate. In 1917, during the war, Britain issued the Balfour Declaration, promising to support the establishment of a "national home for the Jewish people" in Palestine. This alarmed the Arab population, who feared losing control over their land.

As Jewish immigration increased, tensions between Jews and Arabs grew. Violent clashes broke out in the 1920s and 1930s. The British struggled to manage the conflicting promises they had made to both Jews and Arabs. Eventually, in 1947, after years of conflict, Britain turned the issue over to the newly formed United Nations.

The UN Partition Plan and the Birth of Israel

In 1947, the United Nations proposed a Partition Plan to divide Palestine into two states — one Jewish and one Arab — with Jerusalem under international control. Jewish leaders accepted the plan, but Arab leaders rejected it, saying it was unfair because it gave a large portion of land to a smaller Jewish population.

In 1948, Jewish leaders declared the State of Israel. Soon after, neighboring Arab countries — including Egypt, Jordan, Syria, and Iraq — invaded in support of the Palestinians. This war is known as the First Arab-Israeli War or the War of Independence to Israelis, and the Nakba (Arabic for “catastrophe”) to Palestinians.

Israel won the war and took more land than what was given under the UN plan. More than 700,000 Palestinians fled or were forced from their homes, becoming refugees. The land that was supposed to become a Palestinian state was divided between Israel, Egypt (which took control of Gaza), and Jordan (which took control of the West Bank).

The 1967 War and Occupation

In 1967, during the Six-Day War, Israel fought Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. As a result, Israel captured even more territory, including the West Bank, Gaza Strip, East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights. These areas have remained at the heart of the conflict ever since.

The occupation of the West Bank and Gaza by Israel became a major source of resentment. Palestinians in these territories lived under Israeli military control. Over time, Israel began building settlements — communities of Jewish Israelis — in the West Bank, which many consider illegal under international law.

The Rise of the Palestinian National Movement

In the late 1960s, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) emerged, aiming to create a Palestinian state. The PLO carried out attacks against Israel, and Israel responded with military force. Violence continued for decades, often spilling over into neighboring countries like Lebanon.

In the 1980s, Palestinians living in the occupied territories began an uprising known as the First Intifada (1987–1993), a mass protest movement that included demonstrations, boycotts, and sometimes violence. This brought global attention to the Palestinian cause.

In 1993, the Oslo Accords were signed. These were peace agreements between Israel and the PLO, which led to the creation of the Palestinian Authority, a government that would run parts of the West Bank and Gaza. Hopes were high for peace and a two-state solution, but talks broke down in the years that followed.

Continued Conflict and the Gaza Strip

In 2000, the Second Intifada broke out, with more violence and suicide bombings. Trust between the two sides broke down further. In 2005, Israel withdrew from Gaza, but soon after, the militant group Hamas took control of the area. Hamas does not recognize Israel and has launched thousands of rockets at Israeli cities. Israel responded with blockades and military operations, creating a humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Since then, there have been repeated wars and escalations between Hamas and Israel, resulting in many deaths, especially among civilians in Gaza. The West Bank remains under partial Israeli control, with growing settlements and frequent clashes between Israeli soldiers and Palestinians.

The Situation Today

Today, the conflict remains unresolved. There is no peace treaty, and the idea of a two-state solution — with Israel and Palestine living side by side — seems increasingly difficult to achieve. Many Palestinians still live under occupation or in refugee camps. Meanwhile, Israeli citizens continue to face security threats from rocket attacks and violence.

The world remains divided on how to solve the conflict. Some support Israel’s right to defend itself, while others call for more support and recognition of Palestinian rights. At its heart, this is a conflict over land, identity, and justice — with deep historical wounds on both sides.

Conclusion

The Israel-Palestine conflict is not just a political issue but a deeply human one. It involves generations of people who have lived through war, displacement, and loss. Understanding the history behind the conflict is the first step toward finding empathy, awareness, and — one day — perhaps, a path to peace.