The Israeli-Palestinian conflict stands as one of the longest-running, its roots tracing back to the late 19th century. Central to the discord is the conflicting territorial claims made by Israelis and Palestinians over a piece of land, the Holy Land.
BACKGROUND
Dating back to 1947, the United Nations proposed a partition plan for the British Mandate of Palestine, envisioning two states—one Jewish and one Arab. While the Jewish community accepted this plan, the Arab community vehemently rejected it.
The subsequent declaration of the State of Israel in 1948 led to a war initiated by surrounding Arab nations in an attempt to thwart its establishment. By 1949, Israel emerged victorious, asserting control over most of the former Mandate of Palestine. The war displaced hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, with many seeking refuge in neighbouring countries.
What is happening now?
Israel maintain control over the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem. Despite international recognition of the West Bank and Gaza Strip as Palestinian territories, a military occupation by Israel has persisted for over five decades. Limited self-government exists for the Palestinian people in these territories, but true sovereignty remains elusive.
Complicating matters further, Israel have erected settlements in the West Bank, deemed illegal under international law. These settlements have not only fragmented the West Bank but have also impeded the establishment of a viable Palestinian state.
Numerous attempts to resolve this protracted conflict have been made, with the most recent peace talks collapsing in 2014. The international community generally supports the two-state solution, advocating for the creation of a Palestinian state alongside Israel.
However, significant disparities persist, ranging from defining state borders to determining the status of Jerusalem and addressing the right of return for Palestinian refugees.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict continues to defy resolution, ensnared in a complex web of historical grievances, geopolitical realities, and deeply entrenched disagreements.
By Malise Kofi Omoloye|3news.com|Ghana