Introduction
The Israel-Palestine conflict is one of the world’s most complex and long-standing geopolitical disputes. Rooted in thousands of years of history, religious significance, colonial interests, and modern-day nationalism, this conflict has shaped Middle Eastern politics and triggered repeated wars and humanitarian crises. To truly understand the current situation in Gaza, West Bank, and Jerusalem, one must first travel back through the historical evolution of both peoples.
Early History: A Shared Sacred Land
The land known as Palestine has long been considered sacred by Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike. The city of Jerusalem holds unparalleled religious importance to all three faiths. During the Ottoman Empire, this land was home to a peaceful coexistence of Muslims, Christians, and Jews, primarily due to low population density and limited territorial control.
However, as history unfolded, this harmony gradually gave way to division, violence, and displacement.
Zionism and Jewish Migration to Palestine
In the 1800s, antisemitism surged in Europe. Jews faced discrimination not just religiously but ethnically. Austrian journalist Theodor Herzl founded the Zionist movement in 1896, advocating for a separate Jewish homeland. Inspired by this vision, waves of Jewish migrants moved to Palestine, drawn to Jerusalem and surrounding areas considered holy by their faith.
By the early 20th century, Jewish settlements began increasing significantly in Palestine, a land still under Ottoman, and later British, rule.
British Colonial Promises and World War I Betrayals
During World War I, the British made contradictory promises:
To the Arab revolutionaries, they promised a united Arab state including Palestine.
To the Jewish leaders, they promised a Jewish homeland in the same region.
Meanwhile, the British secretly agreed with the French to divide the Middle East through the Sykes-Picot Agreement. After the fall of the Ottoman Empire, Britain took control of Palestine, betraying both Arabs and Jews.
The Holocaust and Massive Jewish Influx
The rise of Adolf Hitler and the Holocaust pushed millions of European Jews to seek refuge. Many chose Palestine, increasing tensions with the Arab population. The British Mandate period from 1918 to 1948 saw growing clashes between Arabs and Jewish immigrants, leading to nationalist movements on both sides.
The 1947 UN Partition Plan and Birth of Israel
In 1947, the United Nations proposed a partition:
57% of the land for Jews
43% for Arabs
Jerusalem under international control
Jews accepted the plan and declared the State of Israel in 1948. Arab nations rejected it, seeing it as a colonial imposition. War erupted immediately.
1948: The First Arab-Israeli War and Palestinian Exodus
In the First Arab-Israeli War, multiple Arab nations attacked the newly formed Israel. Despite being outnumbered, Israel won and seized additional territory beyond the UN plan.
As a result, over 700,000 Palestinians were displaced. This tragic event is known as the Nakba or “catastrophe” by Palestinians.
1967: The Six-Day War and Occupation of Gaza and West Bank
The Six-Day War in 1967 was a turning point. Israel occupied:
Gaza Strip
West Bank
East Jerusalem
Sinai Peninsula (later returned to Egypt)
These territories remain at the heart of today’s conflict. Palestinians found themselves without a state, under occupation, and divided between different authorities.
Rise of the PLO and International Recognition
The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), founded in 1964, initially advocated armed struggle and called for Israel’s elimination. While seen as a terrorist group by the U.S. and Israel, the United Nations General Assembly recognized the PLO in 1974 as the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.
The Oslo Accords and Hope for Peace
In 1993, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and PLO leader Yasser Arafat signed the Oslo Accords. This historic treaty acknowledged each other’s legitimacy and laid the groundwork for a two-state solution.
A year later, the Palestinian National Authority was formed, and Nobel Peace Prizes were awarded.
But peace was short-lived.
The Assassination of Yitzhak Rabin
In 1995, Rabin was assassinated by a Jewish extremist who opposed the peace process. This marked the end of serious peace efforts. It mirrored India’s Gandhi assassination — a moderate leader killed by religious extremists for seeking harmony.
Emergence of Hamas and Internal Palestinian Division
While the PLO moved toward diplomacy, Hamas, a hardline Islamist group, emerged in Gaza. They believed PLO was compromising too much and vowed to eliminate Israel entirely.
In 2006, Hamas won elections in Gaza, defeating the Fatah party (linked with the PLO). A civil war ensued in 2007, splitting Palestine into:
Gaza Strip: controlled by Hamas
West Bank: controlled by Fatah/PLO
This internal divide continues to weaken the Palestinian cause.
Israeli Settlements and West Bank Fragmentation
Israel began constructing settlements in the West Bank after 1967. These are residential communities, often heavily guarded, and strategically placed to exert control over Palestinian territories.
Today, the West Bank is divided into Areas A, B, and C:
Area A: full Palestinian control
Area B: joint control
Area C: Israeli control, often where settlements exist
This fragmentation makes the idea of a contiguous, sovereign Palestinian state increasingly difficult.
Today’s Reality: Entrenched Positions and Rising Tensions
As of 2025, the conflict remains unsolved:
Israel continues expanding settlements in the West Bank.
Hamas launches attacks from Gaza, often prompting deadly Israeli airstrikes.
Jerusalem remains a flashpoint for both sides.
Millions of Palestinians live under occupation, with limited rights and restricted movement.
Possible Solutions: Can Peace Be Achieved?
1. Two-State Solution (1967 Borders)
Many global leaders and the UN still support this plan — Israel and Palestine coexisting side by side, based on 1967 boundaries.
2. Return to 1947 UN Partition Plan
Some argue this is the only fair division, but it would require dismantling existing Israeli settlements — a politically explosive idea.
3. One-State Solution
A single secular state where Jews and Arabs share equal rights. However, neither side currently favors this due to demographic and political concerns.
Final Thoughts
The Israel-Palestine conflict is more than just a territorial dispute. It is a reflection of identity, history, trauma, and extremism — on both sides. The only hope lies in rejecting fanaticism, embracing moderation, and reviving diplomacy.
Until then, the dream of peace remains distant.