Explained: The conflict between Palestine and Israel.

Image 1: Majdi Mohammed.

When did the conflict start?

Conflict between Palestine and Israel has transpired for almost 100 years, ultimately a battle between two states fighting for their sovereignty. After the demise of the Ottoman Empire during World War I in 1918, the British swiftly took control of Palestine. During its governance, the British sought to establish a Jewish homeland within Palestine, which we know today as Israel, becoming effective in 1923.

Palestine was consequently split into two states, comprising of territories issued to Palestine and Israel. A year after the implementation of the Partition Plan of Palestine, Britain withdrew from from the states in 1948. With tensions heightened, Jews fled to what was deemed as their historical ancestral homeland to survive persecution in Europe. As Israel became independent, Palestinians rejected the notion of an outside influence giving away their land, a fight for territory ensued between the two states in what was known as the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. Image 2, represents the change over the years of boarders within the nation.

Violence, disarray and uncertainty has plagued the history of Palestine, today the narrative isn’t much different as the two states continue to fight.

Image 2: MSNBC.

The conflict today:

Many of the issues are centred around the occupants of specific territories ruled by either Palestine and Israel. The two states can not agree on whether Palestinians should remain in Israel’s territory as well as whether Jewish settlers should remain in Palestinian territory. Jerusalem, is an area that shares significant cultural value between the two sides, occupied by Israeli forces, this is a city that both sides have claimed as their capital but was intended to be shared by both sides.

In early April 2021, Palestinians congregated at a mosque in East Jerusalem during Ramadan to worship during the religions most holy time, what was meant to be a sacred and special ceremony was cut short when Israeli forces opened fire. Violence erupted as peaceful crowds were dispersed, men and women injured and children being escorted away by force. Evidently infringing upon article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states that we are all free to “manifest one's religion or beliefs”. What was widely known as the City of Peace, is far from it as anguish continues to be afflicted upon those who inhabit it.

After weeks of increasing tension between the two sides, on the 10th of May 2021, fighting elevated to the next stage as the nation was showered with airstrikes from both sides. Palestinian force, Hamas, fired long range rockets towards Jerusalem in response to the violence at the hands of Israeli forces at the Mosque and the eviction of Palestinian families, who had been forced out of their homes and replaced by Jewish settlers. In retaliation, Israeli forces then fired several airstrikes targeting Gaza, specifically infrastructure associated with Hamas.

The conflict spanned over 11 days before a cease fire was agreed upon but the strikes had already caused severe damage to the affected areas. Tragedy spread throughout the states as hospitals, police headquarters and news corporations were destroyed in Gaza with more than 200 Palestinians killed, over 1000 people wounded and 58,0000 Palestinians rendered homeless. In the Israeli States, various infrastructure had been destroyed and it is reported that 12 people have been killed.

When will it end?

The US has long been an ally of Israel, assisting with the advancement of the states defence system through aid donations starting in the 1950’s. The nation has further affirmed their support by granting Israel a $3.8 billion USD donation in 2020, the funds allowed the state to establish their iron dome defence system. The dome was put to the test in the most recent conflict as Israel were able to protect their citizens from the copious amounts of damage that would have ensued, should the rockets have hit Israeli territory. The tirade of rockets fired by Hamas rebounded off a high technology system implemented by the state, the below video shows the dome in action.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIjm85ch4JQ

In relation to the rocket attacks, the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu said that “any country has to defend itself. We’ll do whatever it takes to restore order.” His statements inferring that Israel would retaliate and they did. Although a ceasefire is maintained, it is evident that tensions are strained between the two states and peace talks have been especially ineffective, at this point it is critical that the root issue is addressed.

There is clearly a difference in power between the two states, Israel has benefited from the support of many western countries such as the US, UK and Australia. In comparison, Palestine is acknowledged as a state by the UN and a few other countries, there are various countries that do not recognise the validity of the people that have inhabited a nation for centuries. Similarly, some of these countries have strong relations with Israel. These associations have allowed the state of Israel to build up a military advanced enough to secure itself from high threats.

Image 3: R. Zvulun.

Israel undoubtably hold more power in the situation and if history speaks for itself, sometimes that power has been implemented in an oppressive manner to invade and claim Palestinian territory. Once the two states became independent from Britain, Israel extended their boarders as they secured Palestinian territory, ultimately violating international law as Palestinians were forced out of a home that had belonged to their family for generations. The UN security council acknowledged that Israeli settlements occupying what is legally recognised as Palestinian territory hold no validity since they are violating the Fourth Geneva Convention.

Both states have roots in the area but Palestine and Israel have been unable to come to a resolution agreed upon by both sides, peace talks have been in progress for more then 25 years but have failed to solve the conflict. Until both sides recognise one another and collaborate to rectify past mistakes, it is unclear when the conflict will end.