The Israeli-Palestinian conflict can be traced back to the early 20th century when tensions between Jewish and Arab communities began to escalate in Palestine, which was under British mandate at the time. However, it is important to note that the split between the Israelis and Palestinians as distinct groups did not occur overnight but rather evolved over several decades, shaped by a series of historical events and political developments.
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Palestine was home to a mixed population of Arab Muslims, Christians, and Jews. The smaller Jewish population, which had been living in the area for centuries, began to increase due to Zionist immigration. Zionism, a political movement advocating for the establishment of a Jewish homeland, gained momentum among European Jews who faced growing anti-Semitism.
In 1917, the British government issued the Balfour Declaration, expressing support for the establishment of a “national home for the Jewish people” in Palestine. This declaration further fueled tensions between Jews and Arabs, as the latter feared losing their majority status in the region.
The lingering ethnic and religious animosities intensified in 1947 when the United Nations proposed the partition of Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states. While the Jewish community accepted this partition plan, Arab leaders rejected it, viewing it as an infringement on their rights. This rejection led to the 1947-1949 Arab-Israeli war, which resulted in the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948.
Following the war, many Palestinians fled or were expelled from their homes, creating a refugee crisis that still persists today. The nakba, or “catastrophe” in Arabic, refers to this period when Palestinians were displaced and marked a significant turning point in the fracturing of the two communities.
Over time, both communities developed distinct national identities and pursued separate political agendas. Israelis built a state with a Jewish majority, while Palestinians continued their struggle for self-determination and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
Since then, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been characterized by successive wars, diplomatic efforts, peace agreements, and ongoing disputes over issues such as land, borders, and the status of Jerusalem. The conflict has deep historical roots and is marked by a complex web of religious, political, and territorial factors.
In summary, while the division between Israelis and Palestinians as separate groups began to solidify in the early 20th century, the conflict itself has its roots in a long history of interactions and tensions between different communities living in Palestine. The events leading up to the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 and subsequent developments have further cemented the division between Israelis and Palestinians, shaping the ongoing conflict we see today.
Also see: Israeli-Palestinian conflict: Are they fighting over land?
Citations:
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israeli%E2%80%93Palestinian_conflict
[2] https://www.cfr.org/global-conflict-tracker/conflict/israeli-palestinian-conflict
[3] https://www.vox.com/2018/11/20/18080002/israel-palestine-conflict-history-overview-map
[4] https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-palestinian-dispute-hinges-statehood-land-jerusalem-refugees-2023-10-10/
[5] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/9/whats-the-israel-palestine-conflict-about-a-simple-guide