Palestinian-Israeli conflict explained: what’s happening now?
The Palestinian Israeli conflict has a long convoluted history that stretches back to British occupation in the area while also being heavily tied to Islam and Judaism. Those unaware of the issues may see this news in the media in passing without understanding the history behind it. Although a religious standpoint is the cornerstone for this ongoing tension, this article attempts to simplify its past, explain intervening actors as well as portray the current situation.
The British empire occupied the area after the Ottoman rule with habitation from both the Arabs and Jewish people. As tensions between these groups increased, a United Nations (UN) resolution called for a divide and the British prepared to exit the region; Israel then announced its independence. Consequently, atrocities broke out in 1948 named the Catastrophe or Nakbah where a Palestinian massacre occured in Dayr Yasin. The Arabs retaliated by killing 78 Jews. After an attempt by the Arabs to gain territory that was not accounted for during the partition, Israeli’s were successful in gaining major ground while retaliating against attacks - this did not include occupation of the Gaza strip. At this point 700,000 Palestinians were removed from their land.
This calls into question whether the British presence in the area aggravated the situation between the two parties, and whether their removal was executed in a manner that was unfair to either. A similar pattern has been seen in many British occupied nations such as India when there was a massive displacement of people after partitioning, further leading to the outbreak of violence between clashing groups.
The issues were exacerbated by the Suez crisis of 1956 and the six day war of 1967. Israel’s invasion in 1956 saw the capture of territories such as Gaza, and thousands of Palestinian prisoners; however, their main purpose was to occupy area near the Suez Canal. After a UN intervention Israel was forced to leave the area.
In 1973 conflict in the area escalated with both the Egyptians crossing over the Suez Canal and Syrians over the Golan Heights mountain range. At this point, both Egypt and Syria came with renewed strength, preventing Israel from gaining ground. The fighting came to an end after a cease fire agreement was signed between Israel and Egypt stipulating Israel’s withdrawal from certain mountainous passes and Egypt’s loosening of their tight presence along the Canal.
After it regained power, Israel turned its efforts to Palestinians, bombing the Palestinian Liberation Organizations bases in Lebanon, surrounding the capital city and forcing Palestinians out. In a further UN attempt for peace in 2002, resolution 1397 was passed to prevent violence in the area while allowing for the establishment of a Palestinian state. Israel agreed to gradually withdraw from the West Bank and Gaza Strip; however, the rise of Hamas in the area – believed to be a terrorist organization – was met with international worry. Fatah, the influential party in Palestine was taken by Hamas and although the Palestinian authority favoured a Fatah led government, Hamas controlled the Gaza strip. Israel then attempted to aid the West Bank but while doing so, established settlement colonies in the area.
In 2014, there was a further clash between Hamas and Israeli authorities that resulted in a death toll of 73 Israelis and 2,251 Palestinians. Egypt facilitated a cease fire, while the Palestinian authority denied association to Hamas. 2018 was a year for demonstrations, specifically in the Gaza strip that resulted in the death of 183 Palestinians. In 2020, the US attempted to administrate a peace plan in the region calling for all violence to cease; however, this was regarded as being Pro-Israeli by supporting their settlement colonies in Palestinian areas, and essentially leaving many Palestinians homeless. This was denied by Palestine.
Happening now:
In recent times, a former Israel Prime Minister who was removed from power in 2021 following allegations of bribery, fraud and breach of conduct, is suspected to emerge victorious in the ongoing election. Benjamin Netanyahu was the longest Prime Minister of the country at 12 years and is hoping to add to this time. Netanyahu is the leader of the Likud party and although his recent attempt at power is hopeful in light of emerging conflict, there are concerns regarding the allegations against him. In regards to the Palestinian conflict, Netanyahu was known to favour the safety of Israel and the protection of its inhabitants. Although he took part in the 2009 peace talks by halting Israeli settlement construction in the West Bank, he simultaneously sanctioned the same construction in other areas. Netanyahu is also famous for stating that “A Palestinian state will not be created, not like the one people are talking about. It won't happen.” - which puts neighboring Arab nations in worry.
Another recent development is the establishment of the new Lion’s Den group in Palestine against the Israeli defense force. They are mainly known for attacking Israeli checkpoints that are infamous for the stop and frisk measures against all Palestinians. Due to the recent rise in Israeli settlements, the Lion’s Den group has made it a priority to push back and deter these settlements. Israel’s defense force is actively searching neighborhoods such as Nablus almost daily for traces of the group and killed 5 Palestinians last week due to suspected association. These searches intensified due to the Lion’s Den being responsible for the death of a young Israeli soldier near a Jewish settlement.
Nablus is an urban area for Palestinians with bustling markets as well as schools. After becoming an Israeli settlement as well as being the supposed location for the Lion’s Den Headquarters, there has been little to no movement of people with businesses and schools closing. This provides worry to both communities as the fighting, especially the exchange of gunfire, is happening in closer proximity to civilians.
Earlier in the month of October, there was reports of the deaths of teenagers who had thrown rocks and petrol bombs at Israeli checkpoints, especially near the separation barrier in the West Bank. One of the boys – 14 years old – was shot dead, while the other was killed in a raid the subsequent day after Israeli officers conducted a search.
The UN human rights watch is growing increasingly concerned regarding the atrocities in the area. There is the belief that Israel is breaking international law through its lack of accountability regarding the deaths resulting from state sanctioned force against demonstrators. Further, there is concern due to civilian child deaths and inhuman executions being carried out. These executions are carried out after raids in neighborhoods attempting to harbor militants, but there are little to no reports that provide detail on the casualties. Many young teenagers are choosing to become militants and there has been reports of firearms being distributed more readily in Palestinian refugee camps. This brings us back to the present day and the quote highlighted at the beginning, concerning families and innocent civilians caught in the crossfires, but have no way of escaping.
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