The Israeli Palestinian Conflict
The Conflict: A History
The Israeli Palestinian conflict is one of the world's longest-running and most intractable conflicts. It has its roots in the late 19th century, when Jews began to immigrate to Palestine, then part of the Ottoman Empire. After World War I, Palestine was placed under British mandate. In 1947, the United Nations voted to partition Palestine into two states: one Jewish and one Arab. The Jews accepted the plan but the Arabs rejected it, and a war broke out between the two sides.
The war ended in 1949 with a ceasefire, but the conflict did not end. The Arabs continued to refuse to recognize Israel, and Israel continued to occupy the Arab-majority areas of Palestine. In 1967, Israel launched a pre-emptive strike against Egypt, Syria, and Jordan, and occupied the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and the Golan Heights.
The Six Day War, as it is known, was a major turning point in the conflict. It led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, and it created a new generation of Palestinian refugees.
The Conflict Today
Today, the Israeli Palestinian conflict is still unresolved. The two sides are still divided over the issue of statehood, and there is still no peace agreement between them. The conflict continues to claim lives on both sides, and it is a major source of instability in the Middle East.
The United Nations and the Conflict
The United Nations has been involved in the Israeli Palestinian conflict since its inception. In 1947, the UN voted to partition Palestine into two states, one Jewish and one Arab. The Jews accepted the plan, but the Arabs rejected it, and a war broke out between the two sides.The UN has since passed numerous resolutions calling for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. However, these resolutions have been largely ignored by both sides.
The Palestinian Refugees
One of the most tragic aspects of the Israeli Palestinian conflict is the plight of the Palestinian refugees. These refugees were forced to flee their homes during the 1948 war, and they have never been allowed to return.
Today, there are over 5 million Palestinian refugees living in refugee camps in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and the West Bank and Gaza Strip. These refugees live in poverty and squalor, and they have no access to education or employment.
The Right of Return
The Palestinian refugees have the right to return to their homes, as enshrined in international law. However, Israel has refused to allow them to return, and this has been a major obstacle to peace.
The Palestinian refugees are a forgotten people. They have been living in exile for over 70 years, and they have been denied their basic human rights. The international community must do more to help them.
