Israel-Palestine Conflict

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Israel-Palestine Conflict

Introduction

The current wrangles between Israeli and Palestine commenced in mid twentieth century with several reconciliation efforts bearing minimal or no results. These conflicts have a long account that dates back to the nineteenth century. Prior to these fights, Palestine was an autonomous nation that comprised of inhabitants from various religious backgrounds. Although the larger portion of the general population was Muslims, a significant number of the inhabitants were Christians and Jews. This did not trigger any form of social disagreements. However, in subsequent years, differences of opinions on national borders, defense system of the country, influence over Jerusalem, and the desire for equal international recognition of the two regions instigated a colossal warfare (Hertz 103). Over the years, many people have lost their lives with others having to seek refuge in neighboring geological zones. The sequence of events resulting in the current conflicts indicates the involvement of other nations in instigating or solving the military fights.

Zionism

In the final years of the nineteenth century, a sub group of the international Jewish community reestablished itself with the intent of having major religious significance in several parts of the world. Some of its target locations included Africa, North America, and South America. This religious grouping, which originated from the marginalized Jewish populace, solidified their operations in Europe before executing its intentions of founding an influential Jewish territory in its target zones (Bright 78). Nonetheless, their efforts to base the Jewish state in these target regions were not successful. This is because of the negligible number of Jews as well as the lack of support from the national government. Later on, they shifted their efforts to Palestine since it entailed a significant number of Jews. This made it easy to execute their plans without raising suspicion.

Through strategic persuasion of the general population, many Jews in Palestine joined this group, which had political and religious goals. Furthermore, they sought political collaboration from powerful authorities and nations. For instance, the leaders of this radical group sought financial and political support from the United States and Britain. These powerful states approved their efforts for self-centered reasons since the Zionist leaders promised to aid in enhancing their political powers. In later stages of their establishment, the group embraced violence as the main tactic of expanding its territory. They purchased large tracts of land in Palestine and prohibited people from other religious backgrounds to settle or conduct economic activities in these areas. Resistance from Palestinian natives, who did not adhere to the Jewish way of life, resulted in massacres (Hertz 109). Financial institutions such as Rothschilds were responsible for financing these violent attacks.

UN Partition Plan

The initial intervention from the international community occurred in 1947. However, their intervention strategy caused more harm to the public. Instead of promoting the efforts of the natives in establishing a fairly elected and independent government, the United Nations adopted the historic ideology in which a foreign administration divides the original state in order to enhance political and social stability. Being the main mediator of this clash, the UN decided to offer this illegally established Jewish authority 55% of Palestine. The Palestinian public perceived this mediation tactic as unfair and self-centered since the Jewish community comprised of 30 % of the entire population with their land possession entailing 7% of the nation (Bright 82). Consequently, Israel became a recognized nation with its main administration comprising of the Zionist leaders.

1947-1949 War

This conflict was an affair between Arab military forces and the Zionists. Nonetheless, Zionism initiators had successfully recruited a large number of Palestinian Jews. The fiscal and military support from the United States and Britain enhanced the fighting capacity of the Zionists. Furthermore, the Arab armies initiated the counter attacks after several massacres in Palestine. Basing their attacks primarily on Palestine as opposed to Israel resulted in numerous killings of innocent people while increasing the resistance of Zionists. These elements aided the Israel government to conquer the Arab military forces. After this extensive warfare, Israel had taken hold of 78 percentage of Palestine with 750,000 Palestinians seeking refuge in neighboring nations. The Israeli government also altered the Palestinian map with each natural resource gaining a Hebrew name (Bright 99).

1967 War and USS Liberty

Israeli administration initiated attacks on Egypt and Syria. Owing to their heightened military capacity, Israel captured a large segment of these nations in addition to the remaining portions of Palestine. These regions included the Gaza Strip and West Bank. However, according to the international policies, these two regions are not part of Israel since the government obtained them through armed clashes and violation of humanity. Moreover, the Israel administration attacked USS Liberty and killed two-hundred American military personnel. Due to the earlier undisclosed connections between Israel and the United States, President Lyndon discouraged rescue airplanes from accessing the region (Bright 85). According to this American administrator, the salvage mission would adversely affect the cordial relationship between America and Israel. However, most analysts perceived this as a call for war instigated by Israel to the United States.

Current Situation

Currently, the Israeli government has been attempting to restore integrity in the system of governance. This had resulted in political and economic instability since it is a primarily foreign nation in terms of its origin. The initial population in this self-proclaimed Jewish nation consisted of a large percentage of Christians and Muslims. The lack of social justice is also evident in the manner in which the national administration treats refugees. Foreigners in Israel experience intense discrimination. This unfairness in the system of governance is a primary activator of the existing wrangles. Likewise, Israel present in Gaza Strip and West Bank has also fueled the current conflicts (Hertz 116). This military invasion has affected the Palestinians living in these zones since the Israeli administration treats them unfairly because of their religious background. The borders of these two regions are under the governance of Israeli military personnel with many Palestinians in these areas facing unfair detention regardless of their gender or age.

The armed forces guard the peripheries of these zones while frequently assassinating the inhabitants in addition to prohibiting any form of humanitarian assistance from the external world. These oppressive military activities have heightened the clashes between Israel and Palestine. The Oslo Peace Treaty signed by both administrations in 1993 indicates that Gaza Strip and West Bank ought to be under the governance of the Palestinian government. Consequently, the inhabitants of Palestine have been engaging the Israeli government with the aim of reclaiming their land. Through the Intifada Movement, these clashes began in 2000 with a large number of civilians dying during the continuing warfare (Arnon and Weinblatt 55). This disregard of the signed peace accord has resulted in massive destruction. Furthermore, the international community only intervenes for self-centered purposes.

U.S Involvement

Since its establishment, America has exemplified active involvement in the affairs of Israel. It has continuously offered fiscal assistance to the Israeli government although most citizens of the United States oppose this participation. According to recent surveys regarding this issue, America supports the operations of the Israeli centralized administration by offering $ 8 million on a daily basis. Owing to the influential American lobby in Israel, Congress constantly endorses policies that facilitate a larger financial assistance to Israel than the entire fiscal aid provided by the United States to countries in the sub-Saharan region. This financial facilitation has been occurring for the past 60 years (Arnon and Weinblatt 47). Since the establishment of this country, Israel acquires the highest form of monetary assistance from America. Analysts perceive this funding as a way of maintaining the ancient informal treaty between the American government and Zionist leaders.

Additionally, the American government has indirectly influenced the media coverage in Israel. The deaths reported by media firms in Israel following the current conflict with Palestine are thirteen times higher than those accounted for in Palestine are. This makes it difficult for the American citizens and the international community to comprehend the factual state of affairs in this region. Consequently, the American taxpayers have had to pay for this informal treaty indirectly. Critics argue that these funds could be more useful in helping low-income American citizens in attaining quality shelter, food, healthcare, and education rather than financing an administration that does not value humanity. Additionally, the American government may be creating massive problems through this involvement. Supporters of the Israeli government have been offering military and political support to the United States in its attacks in Iraq and Iran (Arnon and Weinblatt 50). These self-centered actions of the American government in Israel may result in attacks by rivals of the Israeli system of governance on American land.

Possible Solutions

One of the major solutions proposed by the United Nations is the establishment of two states. Recognizing Palestine and Israel as two independent countries will allow both administrations to solve the conflicts regarding East Jerusalem as well as the Palestinian immigrants and Arabs unfairly detained in Israel. Likewise, establishing a federation in which the two regions become member states may aid in solving the current conflicts. Utilization of a neutral international mediator may also be a suitable solution in this region. For example, Egypt has shown interest in heading negotiation talks between Palestine and Israel (Arnon and Weinblatt 44). Nonetheless, these proposed solutions may only be effective if the involved parties do not have selfish interests. This is because a lasting solution is essential in order to protect the lives of civilians whose existence is dependent on the decision attained through such negotiations.

Conclusion

The conflict between Palestine and Israel comprises of a comprehensive history that dates back to the nineteenth century. The clashes originated from religious and political interests of a foreign Jewish group who purposed to promote a Jewish state in the region. Later, the selfish interests of powerful nations such as Britain and the United States worsened the situation with Zionists capturing a large portion of Palestine through violent techniques. These fights have resulted in the death of many civilians with others experiencing unfair detention in Israeli prisons. For this reason, it is important for the international community to promote efficient negotiations between the two nations without integrating self-centered interests.

Works Cited

Arnon, A, and J Weinblatt. “Sovereignty and Economic Development: The Case of Israel and Palestine.” Economic Journal: the Journal of the Royal Economic Society. 111.472 (2001). Print.

Bright, John. A History of Israel. Westminster John Knox Press, 2004. Print.

Hertz, Eli E. This Land Is My Land: Mandate for Palestine: the Legal Aspects of Jewish Rights. Forest Hills, NY: Myths and Facts, Inc, 2008. Print.