Introduction
The Israel-Palestine conflict is a century-old struggle over a historically significant region, steeped in religion, politics, and shifting borders.
The region, covering a tiny swathe of the Southern Levant, has been a battleground between Jews, Arabs, and Palestinians, backed by various states including the UK, US, France, Iran, and Turkey.
Historical Significance of the Land
Jerusalem: One of the oldest inhabited cities in the world, considered holy to Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. In Jewish tradition, it represents the site where Abraham nearly sacrificed his son and where King Solomon built his temple. In Islam, it is believed that Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven from Jerusalem.
Historical Claims: Both Jews and Muslims have historical claims to the land, although Muslims governed it for a longer period. According to Arthur Hertzberg, while Jerusalem is significant to Islam, the Palestinian claim to the land is based more on history than religion.
Pre-20th Century Rule
Ancient Empires: The Southern Levant was ruled by various empires including the Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans.
Ottoman Period (1516-1917): During this period, inhabitants were Ottoman citizens without specific national identities like Palestinians or Israelis. According to Mutaz M Qafisheh, there was nothing legally known as Palestine or Israel during this time.
European Involvement
Zionist Movement: Formed in response to European anti-Semitism, the Zionist movement, inspired by Theodor Herzl, advocated for a Jewish homeland in Israel.
British Role: The Balfour Declaration (1917) expressed British support for a Jewish national home in Palestine. However, the Sykes-Picot Agreement (1916) secretly divided the Ottoman provinces between Britain and France.
British Mandate Palestine: From 1922-1947, the League of Nations granted Britain the mandate to administer Palestine, with the goal of establishing a homeland for Jews while protecting Arab rights.
Establishment of Israel
UN Partition Plan (1947): The UN passed resolution 181, partitioning British Palestine into independent Arab and Jewish States. Jews accepted the plan; Arabs rejected it. At the time, Jews owned about 6% of the land in Palestine but were allocated 56% under the plan.
State of Israel (1948): Declared by David Ben-Gurion on May 14, 1948, leading to immediate conflict with Arab nations. Approximately 700,000 Palestinians were displaced during the conflict.
Arab-Israeli Wars
War of Independence/Nakba (1948): Israel's establishment and subsequent war with Arab nations led to armistice lines and significant territorial gains for Israel. The war created armistice lines along Israel's frontiers with neighbouring states.
Suez Crisis (1956): Israel, backed by France and the UK, captured the Sinai Peninsula from Egypt. The conflict highlighted Israel’s military capabilities and shifted Western alliances.
Six-Day War (1967): Israel captured the Sinai Peninsula, Gaza Strip, West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Golan Heights, transforming into a regional powerhouse. This tripled the size of territory under Israel’s control.
Yom Kippur War (1973): Led by Egypt and Syria, the war ended in another victory for Israel, reinforcing its military dominance.
Conflict of Israel and Palestine
Settlement Expansion: Post-1970s, Israel expanded settlements in the West Bank and Gaza, leading to Palestinian uprisings (Intifadas). In 1987, the first Intifada marked widespread Palestinian protests against Israeli occupation.
Oslo Accords (1993, 1995): US President Bill Clinton brokered these agreements aiming for peace. The PLO recognized Israel's right to exist, and Israel accepted the PLO as the representative of the Palestinian people.
Second Intifada (2000-2004): A violent uprising marked by bombings and military responses, causing immense suffering on both sides.
Political Division: In 2007, Hamas took control of Gaza, while the PLO held the West Bank, leading to internal Palestinian conflicts. A 2023 survey found that Palestinians consider this division the most damaging development since the creation of Israel.
Conclusion
The Israel-Palestine conflict is rooted in a deeply intricate tapestry of politics, religion, and territorial claims.
The significance of the land, including the territories known as the West Bank and Gaza Strip, transcends generations, serving as a perpetual battleground for a multitude of stakeholders.
Note: In this CAPF essay, the world limit has been crossed to give you more information, you can take relevant portions as per your need. Further, we have given subheadings for your reference. When you write in the UPSC exam, you don't need to do that.
Importance for UPSC CAPF and Other Exams
This Essay is crucial for UPSC CAPF, Assistant Commandant, and other competitive exams such as CDS, NDA, SSB, AFCAT, CSE, IAS, and IB ACIO. Understanding the historical and geopolitical dynamics of the Israel-Palestine conflict is essential for UPSC CAPF AC exam preparation.
It aligns with the UPSC CAPF AC syllabus 2024, providing valuable content for essay writing, Group Discussions, and Interviews.
Knowledge of such intricate historical conflicts enhances analytical skills and aids in crafting well-rounded responses, making it indispensable for success in these exams
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