The Israeli and Palestinian Conflict
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The Israeli and Palestinian Conflict
Unless the Israelis and Palestinians could not compromise, negotiate and come to an agreement, peace is impossible in the Middle East and even the so-called security fence that Israel is now building will not solve the conflict nor stop terrorist actions by Palestinian extremists. The Israelis and Palestinians need to compromise and negotiate, as suggested by the words written on that wall, “Peace comes (with) agreement not separation.” The leaders of both sides of the conflict should think of the future generations. They should agree to disagree -meaning that they should come to terms and pour out all their grievances, the cause and root of their anger and go beyond that anger to think of a solution that both sides would agree upon. They should decide what is best for their people and the land they would both like and wish to call home.
Historically, the land being fought by the Israelis and Palestinians never experienced any peace at all. Palestine was occupied and fought by different groups, Ottoman and the Roman Empires, and the Crusaders. In late 19th century, the population of Palestine was mostly Arabs, nomads, and some Jews but that soon changed. In Europe, Jews were being persecuted so leaders of European Jews gathered in Switzerland to form the Zionist movement. The goal of Zionism was to “create for the Jewish people a home in Palestine secured by public law.” The slogan, “A land without people for a people without land” by Dr. Chaim Weizmann, a Zionist leader successfully helped support the Zionist movements goal. And under the British government who occupied and governed Palestine at that time and with the Balfour Declaration, a Jewish homeland was established in Palestine.
The Balfour Declaration allowed migration of Jews to Palestine during World War I, which led to anti-Jewish riots by the Palestinians. The Palestinians felt more betrayed and reacted badly when more European Jews who were escaping Nazi persecution, were allowed to migrate to Palestine during and after the World War II. They demanded an independent Palestinian state. They attacked British troops and posts, as well as Jewish settlements. The settlers counterattacked and retaliated while at the same time, the British escalated its oppressive measures against the Palestinians by destroying their homes and sentencing the Arab leaders of the attackers to death.
The British government recognized the injustices done to the Palestinians but they rejected their demand for independence. In order to pacify the Arabs, they instead limited the number of immigrants and then totally stop Jewish immigration to Palestine. They also disclaimed any intentions to create a Jewish state, which infuriated the Zionist movement. They proposed the partition of Palestine into two states, Arab and Jews. They would give the Palestinians, accounting for 70% of the population, 47% of the country and the rest to the Jewish people. Both the Palestinians and the Jews rejected the British decision and proposal. The Zionists response was to increase the Jewish immigration illegally and assassinate leaders of the British government. A small group of Zionist extremists committed series of politically motivated murders against British leaders. They also massacred Arab villagers without any provocation. They increased their offensive tactics, terrorizing the Arabs and destroying their mosques. With all the violence in Palestine, Great Britain decided to end its mandatory role in Palestine and handed over the Palestine problem to the United Nation.
A United Nations resolution had the same proposal as Great Britain, to partition Palestine into two states, Arab and Jewish, with an economic union and a government to be administered by the United Nations. But months before the envisioned partition and the end of British mandatory role, the Zionist movement moved to establish control over more territory. They increased their offensive attacks, which made the Arabs fled their homes and lands. Some went to territories within Palestine not under Jewish control while others became refugees and went to neighboring countries such as in Lebanon,