Arab-Israeli conflict
Origins of the Conflict
The Arab-Israeli conflict has its roots in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with the rise of national movements, including Zionism and Arab nationalism. The Ottoman Empire's rule over the region came to an end during World War I, leading to the creation of the British Mandate for Palestine in 1922.
The British Mandate period was marked by increasing tensions and violence between the Jewish and Arab communities in Palestine. This culminated in the 1947 UN Partition Plan, which proposed the creation of independent Arab and Jewish states. The Jewish leadership accepted the plan, but it was rejected by the Arab leaders and the Palestinian Arab population.
1948 Arab-Israeli War
The rejection of the UN Partition Plan led to the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, also known as the War of Independence or Nakba. The war began with civil conflict between Jewish and Arab Palestinians, escalating into a full-scale war after the declaration of the State of Israel on 14 May 1948.
Post-1948 Developments
The 1948 war ended with Israel controlling more territory than was originally allotted to it by the UN Partition Plan. This led to a significant refugee problem, with both Jewish and Palestinian Arab refugees. The issue of these refugees remains a major point of contention in the conflict.
Six-Day War and its Aftermath
The Six-Day War in 1967 resulted in a decisive Israeli victory and a significant territorial expansion. Israel captured the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, the Sinai Peninsula, and the Golan Heights. The war significantly altered the geography and politics of the conflict.
Peace Process and Ongoing Conflict
Efforts towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict have been ongoing since the 1970s. The most significant of these was the 1993 Oslo Accords, which established a framework for future negotiations.
However, the peace process has been marked by periods of progress and regression, with two Intifadas (uprisings) occurring in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. The issues of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, the status of Jerusalem, borders, security, and Palestinian refugees remain major obstacles to a final peace agreement.