Israel-Palestine Conflict: A Genocide or Not? Part 1 - The Flashback

With thousands of fatalities and millions of people displaced, the Israel-Palestine conflict stems from a colonial crime committed more than a century ago. And its future lies in the past. 

The world is once again keenly focused on what could happen next, with Israel declaring war on the Gaza Strip in response to an unprecedented offensive by the armed Palestinian organisation Hamas on 7th October 23.

In attacks on several villages in southern Israel, Hamas fighters have claimed the lives of over 800 Israelis. In retaliation, Israel began bombarding the Gaza Strip, killing around 500 Palestinians. Troops have reportedly been mobilised around the Gaza border by it in anticipation of a ground assault. Additionally, it declared a "total blockade" of the Gaza Strip on Monday, preventing the enclave from receiving food, gasoline, and other necessities. This action is considered a war crime under international law.

However, history is the source of what will transpire in the upcoming days and weeks. For many years, scholars, military professionals, Western media, and international leaders have characterized the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as unsolvable, complex, and impasse-ridden.

Balfour Declaration, 1917:

Decisive Moment in shaping Middle-East

Issued on November 2, 1917, the Balfour Declaration marked a pivotal moment in the history of the Middle East during World War I. Named after Arthur Balfour, the British Foreign Secretary, the declaration expressed the British government's support for the establishment of a "national home for the Jewish people" in Palestine. 

This declaration aimed to garner Jewish support for the Allies against the Ottoman Empire. However, its ambiguous language regarding the rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine set the stage for future conflicts. It laid the groundwork for the eventual establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, contributing to the complex geopolitical landscape of the region. Its legacy continues to be a subject of historical debate and a focal point in discussions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The Turmoil of 1936–1939: 

The Arab Revolt Against British Colonialism and Jewish Immigration in Palestine

An increase in hostilities ultimately resulted in the 1936–1939 Arab Revolt. In an effort to protest Jewish immigration and British colonialism, the newly established Arab National Committee called on Palestinians to go on a national strike, stop paying taxes, and stop buying Jewish goods in April 1936. The British violently put an end to the six-month strike. They conducted punitive home demolitions and a mass arrest campaign, which Israel still does against Palestinians today.

The Palestinian peasant resistance organization spearheaded the second phase of the uprising, which started in late 1937 and was directed against British forces and colonialism. In the latter part of 1939, 30,000 British troops had been gathered in Palestine. Air strikes destroyed homes, curfews were implemented, villages were bombarded, and summary executions and administrative detentions were commonplace.

In parallel, the British worked with the Jewish settlers to establish military organizations and the Special Night Squads, a Jewish fighter force under British leadership that served as a "counterinsurgency force." In order to strengthen the Haganah, the Jewish militia that eventually became the backbone of the Israeli army, firearms were surreptitiously imported, and weapons factories were constructed within the Yishuv, the pre-state settlement population.

Al Jazeera states that during the three-year uprising, there were 5000 Palestinian deaths, 15,000-20,000 injuries, and 5,000 arrests.

The UN Partition Plan 1947:

Seeds of Strife & Birth of Israel

The United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine, passed on November 29, 1947, proposed the division of the British Mandate into separate Jewish and Arab states, with an international administration for Jerusalem. The plan emerged in the aftermath of World War II and the Holocaust, seeking to address the longstanding Arab-Jewish tensions in the region. While the Jewish leadership accepted the plan, Arab leaders rejected it, viewing it as an infringement on Palestinian rights.

The partition plan laid the groundwork for the establishment of the State of Israel on May 14, 1948. The ensuing Arab-Israeli War resulted in significant territorial changes and the displacement of populations. The UN partition plan's repercussions continue to shape the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with its unresolved issues at the heart of ongoing diplomatic efforts and tensions in the region.

Layers of Disputes since 1967:

Complexities that gave birth to Israel-Palestine Conflict

The Six-Day War in 1967 further reshaped the landscape, with Israel gaining control of the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem. This occupation fueled Palestinian resistance movements, such as the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). The Oslo Accords in the 1990s aimed at a two-state solution but faced challenges, culminating in the Second Intifada in 2000.

The construction of Israeli settlements in the West Bank has been a persistent point of contention, viewed by Palestinians and much of the international community as a violation of international law. Efforts to negotiate a peaceful resolution, including the Camp David Summit in 2000 and subsequent talks, have faced numerous obstacles.

Gaza, controlled by the Palestinian group Hamas, has been a focal point of conflict. Wars in 2008, 2012, and 2014 resulted in significant casualties and further strained relations. The blockade on Gaza exacerbates humanitarian challenges, contributing to the ongoing cycle of violence. The status of Jerusalem remains a key issue, with both Israelis and Palestinians claiming it as their capital. The Trump administration's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital in 2017 and the relocation of the U.S. embassy added a new layer of complexity.

Conclusion

The Israel-Palestine conflict is marked by cycles of violence, ceasefires, and diplomatic efforts. The search for a just and lasting solution continues, with international actors, including the United Nations, working to facilitate dialogue. Despite decades of negotiations and peace initiatives, achieving a resolution that addresses the legitimate concerns and aspirations of both Israelis and Palestinians remains an elusive challenge.