Historical Overview:
In the year 63 B.C., the Roman Empire achieved dominion over the region that encompasses present-day Israel. At that time, the Jewish populace primarily resided in this area, and Jerusalem held a central significance within their religious beliefs.
Fast forward to 132 A.C., a pivotal moment occurred when the Jewish community rebelled against the Roman rule, ultimately suffering defeat. Subsequently, many Jews were either displaced or met tragic ends, leading to the renaming of Judea as Syria Palaestina.
Following these events, a relatively uneventful period ensued, with the region coming under the sway of various Arab nations, states, and kingdoms. This status quo was intermittently disrupted by the Christian Crusades around a millennium ago.
The 20th century marked a turning point as the fall of the Ottoman Empire after World War I placed the area under British control, dubbed “Mandatory Palestine.” Predominantly Muslim, approximately 80% of the population adhered to Islam, with Judaism and Christianity accounting for roughly 10% each.
However, as global connectivity rapidly increased, Jews found it increasingly feasible to return to their ancestral homeland, known as Israel or “Zion” (hence “Zionism”). The Jewish population swelled to 17% by 1930 and 30% by 1945. This surge was, in part, catalyzed by the horrors of pogroms, bearing in mind that Jewish communities across Europe had suffered oppression and violence for decades prior to World War II.
The Founding of “Israel” and the Emergence of Terrorism:
In 1948, the British relinquished their mandate over Palestine, leaving the region to fend for itself. Jewish leaders declared the establishment of the Jewish state of “Israel,” with borders that largely hinged on biblical interpretation. Their plan to bring Jews from all over Europe to consolidate their presence in the region gained momentum. This move stirred strong opposition from surrounding Arab nations, resulting in armed conflict.
The outcome of this conflict saw Jordan taking control of the West Bank, Egypt gaining authority over the Gaza Strip, and Israel securing its existence. It’s crucial to note that prior to this, Israel had a predominantly Arab population. During the conflict, around 700,000 Arabs were either expelled or fled the Israeli military, leaving only 150,000 to form the Muslim minority within the newly formed state of Israel. The United Nations officially recognized Israel as a state, marking the end of Palestine as an independent entity.
This period also marked the beginning of terrorist, freedom, and guerrilla attacks. The Palestinian perspective argued that Israel had usurped their land, justifying their pursuit of reclaiming it.
After numerous smaller conflicts with neighboring nations, a major war erupted in the 1960s, during which Israel captured the West Bank and Gaza Strip. They also occupied the entire Sinai Peninsula, extending to the Suez Canal, although this territory was eventually returned 15 years later in 1982.
Israel initiated incentives for Jewish settlements in the West Bank and imposed restrictions on Muslim life in the name of anti-terrorism efforts, such as military control over access to Jerusalem mosques. Moreover, Israel maintained tight control over the flow of people, water, and electricity in and out of the Gaza Strip.
These Palestinian claims are not unfounded. Human Rights Watch once referred to Gaza as an “open-air prison,” and documented instances of attacks on random Muslims.
This oppression, whether justified as anti-terror measures or not, inevitably gave rise to more widespread extremist movements among the Palestinian population. Consequently, there’s deep-seated animosity among the general population toward the state of Israel and, by extension, Judaism as a religion.
Possible Solutions:
Numerous solutions have been proposed by various parties. The Palestinian stance calls for the complete evacuation of the Jewish population from the area, a proposition unlikely to materialize.
In contrast, Israel has, since its inception, pursued a strategy of gradually displacing the Palestinian population further from the region, possibly seeking a definitive resolution to the conflict.
In addition to these approaches, the Western world and the involved parties have, to some extent, maintained the status quo as a way to manage the situation in recent decades. Yet, this strategy has not yielded a lasting solution.
Setting aside the inaction and genocide, two other possibilities remain: the two-state solution and the one-state solution. The former suggests the establishment of an official Palestinian state, encompassing Gaza and the West Bank, but the precise delineation of borders remains a major point of contention. Furthermore, Israeli nationalists vehemently oppose recognizing a Palestinian state, and they currently hold sway in the country.
The alternative is the one-state solution, involving the transformation of Israel into a multicultural and multi-religious state where all citizens enjoy equal rights. While this concept assumes that most people would settle into peaceful coexistence despite the deep-seated enmity between fundamentalists on both sides, a significant challenge lies in avoiding the emergence of an apartheid-like state, which could, in turn, foster terrorism among the oppressed group.
In essence, no ideal solution exists. The Gaza Strip is a region, while Palestine, though not universally recognized as a country, encompasses it. The United States, for instance, does not recognize Palestine as a sovereign state. Palestinians represent an ethnic group residing in various regions.
Is it a clash between Judaism and Islam? To some extent, yes. Israel is predominantly Jewish, while Hamas, a Palestinian militant organization, identifies with Islam. Israel has pursued peace with other Muslim neighbors, but its efforts with Palestine and Hamas have yielded mixed results.
Hamas holds strong anti-Semitic sentiments, further complicating the conflict. The ongoing struggle revolves around issues of land, nationality, and security.
Delving into Specifics:
The Gaza Strip, situated to the south of Israel, was occupied by Israel during the Six-Day War. It was previously under Egyptian control, and when other land was returned to Egypt, Gaza remained in a legal limbo. People residing in the Gaza Strip are Palestinians, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, often termed “Palestine,” remains a goal, with the Palestinian Liberation Organization taking the lead. However, internal conflicts among Palestinian groups led to Hamas assuming control of the Gaza Strip around 2006, following elections.
Additionally, the West Bank represents another territory not connected to the Gaza Strip, with a complex situation arising from its occupation and Israeli settlements. This land was taken from Jordan, which no longer claims it, and Israel has de facto annexed parts of it. Both Israelis and Palestinians inhabit the West Bank, and the region was supposed to be part of a future Palestinian state. However, the discontiguous nature of the territories complicates the formation of a viable Palestinian state.
The ongoing strife is fraught with complex issues, including displacement, land disputes, and historical grievances. It’s crucial to recognize that both sides have experienced hardships and engaged in actions that can be characterized as war crimes, further entrenching the cycle of violence. The current situation is marked by escalating tensions, with civilian casualties on both sides. The complex web of historical, political, and religious factors continues to fuel this long-standing conflict, making it a deeply entrenched and multifaceted issue.
