ISRAEL-PALESTINE
1. Context
08/10/2023 marked one of the deadliest days of violence in Israel since the 1973 Yom Kippur war. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned of a “long and difficult” war, saying its “enemy will pay an unprecedented price”. Its longtime ally United States has also assured support
Source: Al Zajeera
2. Israel-Palestine Conflict
The Israel-Palestine conflict is a long-standing and deeply rooted dispute over territory and national identity between Israelis and Palestinians. It is one of the most protracted conflicts in the world and has resulted in significant political, social, and humanitarian ramifications
Source: The Hindu
The following are the various aspects of the Israel-Palestine Conflict:
Historical Background: The conflict can be traced back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries when Jewish immigration to Palestine, then part of the Ottoman Empire, increased due to Zionist aspirations for a Jewish homeland. After World War I, the League of Nations granted Britain a mandate to govern Palestine, leading to increased tensions between Jewish and Arab communities
Partition and the Creation of Israel: In 1947, the United Nations proposed a partition plan to divide Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states, with Jerusalem as an international city. The plan was accepted by the Jewish leadership but rejected by Arab leaders. In 1948, Israel declared independence, leading to the first Arab-Israeli war
Arab-Israeli Wars and Conflicts: Over the years, there have been several wars and conflicts, including the Suez Crisis (1956), the Six-Day War (1967), and the Yom Kippur War (1973), with Israel often pitted against various Arab states
Occupation and Settlements: After the 1967 Six-Day War, Israel occupied the West Bank, East Jerusalem, Gaza Strip, and Golan Heights. Israeli settlements in these territories have been a major point of contention, as Palestinians view them as an obstacle to the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Palestinian Resistance and Nationalism: Palestinian resistance movements, including the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), have played a significant role in seeking Palestinian self-determination and statehood. The PLO was recognized as the representative of the Palestinian people by the United Nations.
Peace Processes: Numerous attempts have been made to negotiate a peaceful resolution to the conflict, with varying degrees of success. The Oslo Accords in the 1990s established the Palestinian Authority and outlined a framework for a two-state solution, but progress has been slow.
Jerusalem: The status of Jerusalem is a particularly contentious issue. Both Israelis and Palestinians claim it as their capital, and its final status has been a major point of contention in peace negotiations.
3. Challenges of their Conflict
The conflict has had a profound humanitarian impact on the Palestinian people, including displacement, economic hardships, and restrictions on movement.
The Gaza Strip, in particular, has faced significant challenges, including blockades and conflict-related destruction
The international community, including the United States, has played a role in attempting to mediate and resolve the conflict.
The United Nations and various international organizations have also been involved in efforts to address the humanitarian aspects of the conflict.
4. Abrahamic accords
- The Abraham Accords are a series of agreements aimed at normalizing diplomatic and economic relations between Israel and several Arab states.
- These accords represent a significant shift in the political landscape of the Middle East and have garnered international attention.
- The Abraham Accords were first announced in August 2020. They are named after the biblical figure Abraham, who is considered a father figure in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
- Several Arab nations have entered into normalization agreements with Israel as part of the Abraham Accords
- The countries that had officially normalized relations with Israel under the Abraham Accords included the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco
- These agreements involve mutual diplomatic recognition between Israel and the participating Arab states.
- Israel and these countries established formal diplomatic relations, including opening embassies and appointing ambassadors
- Israel & the UAE signed a normalisation deal in 2020 that came into effect the next year. Also brokered by the US, the “Abrahamic Accords” led to the UAE becoming the third Arab country, after Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994, to agree to formally normalise its relationship with Israel. The two also signed a trade deal in May 2022
- The Abraham Accords initially included the UAE and Bahrain, and later, Sudan and Morocco.
5. Way forward
The conflict continues to be a subject of global concern and diplomacy, with many advocating for a peaceful and negotiated resolution that addresses the legitimate aspirations and rights of both Israelis and Palestinians.
Source: indianexpress
