History of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict
The Palestinians and Israelis can be considered as "one and the same people". Though it is a complex and contentious ascertion, it depends on the perspective from which it is considered.
Historically, the people in the region now known as Israel and Palestine have deep historical and cultural connections. Both Jews and Arabs, including Palestinian Arabs, have long-standing ties to the region. This area has been inhabited by various groups and cultures for thousands of years, and there is a shared historical presence.
However, it's important to recognize that the modern conflict between Israelis and Palestinians is rooted in complex political, religious, and national factors. The formation of the State of Israel in 1948 led to significant demographic, political, and territorial changes in the region, and it resulted in a conflict over competing claims to the same land. The historical events, including wars, displacement, and peace negotiations, have reshaped the identities of both Israelis and Palestinians, leading to distinct national identities and aspirations.
While there may be shared historical and cultural ties, it's crucial to acknowledge that both Israelis and Palestinians have distinct national identities and have been pursuing their own self-determination and statehood, often in competition with one another. The path to a peaceful resolution in the region involves addressing these complex historical and political issues.
According to the Book of Genesis in the Bible, Abraham the progenitor of Israel, is traditionally believed to have migrated originally from Ur of the Chaldeans, a city in Mesopotamia which is located in what is now southern Iraq, but later moved to Haran in modern day Turkey. After living in Haran for a period, he purportedly received a divine call to continue his journey to the land of Canaan. The narrative in the Bible describes his travels from Ur to Haran and then from Haran to Canaan. This migration is a central part of the biblical narrative in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) and the Quran. According to these texts, God called Abraham to leave his homeland and journey to the land of Canaan, which was promised to him and his descendants.
Abraham, his wife Sarah, his nephew Lot, and their household set out on their journey from Haran to Canaan. They traveled through various regions, making stops along the way.
During their time in Canaan, Abraham and his family did not possess the land as a kingdom but rather lived as sojourners and settlers, often moving from place to place. They experienced periods of prosperity and challenges.
Abraham's settlement in Canaan laid the foundation for the Abrahamic covenant, a central theme in the religious traditions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Abraham is said to have built altars and made covenants with God in various locations within Canaan, signifying his commitment to the divine promise.
Sarah, Abrahams wife, had previously been barren. But the challenge of infertility, was eventually resolved with the birth of Isaac through divine intervention.
Isaac, Abraham's son, had two twin sons, Jacob and Esau. Jacob's name was later changed to Israel, and he became the father of the twelve tribes of Israel, while Esau was the father and progenitor of the Edomites.
The Edomites lived in the region of Edom, located in the southern part of modern-day Jordan and extending into parts of today's southern Israel.
Jacob produced twelve sons, each of whom became the father of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. They were Reuven, Shimon, Levi, Yehuda, Issachar, Zevulun, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Joseph, Benjamin. In the Land of Canaan, each of the twelve Israelite tribes settled in a different region on either side of the Jordan River.
According to the Bible, Ishmael, Abraham's son with Sarah's maidservant Hagar, had twelve sons. These sons are considered to be the Ishmaelites, progenitors of various Arab tribes. In Genesis 25:12-16, the Bible lists the names of Ishmael's twelve sons as Nebaioth, Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadar, Tema, Jetur, Naphish and Kedemah.
Ishmael is a prominent figure in the Bible and the Quran. According to the Bible, God promised that Ishmael would become the father of a great nation.
The Ishmaelites are often associated with various groups in the Middle East, particularly the Arab people. In historical and biblical accounts, they are mentioned as a nomadic and trading people who inhabited the Arabian Peninsula and surrounding regions. They were known for their involvement in trade and commerce, and they played a role in the transport of spices, perfumes, and other goods between the Arabian Peninsula and other parts of the ancient world.
It's worth noting that the term "Ishmaelite" is sometimes used more broadly to refer to Arab people, and it can have different connotations in various historical and cultural contexts.
After the death of Sarah, Abraham married Keturah, and they also had several children. The Bible mentions some of Keturah's descendants, including Midian, who is associated with the Midianites, as well as other tribes.
These immediate descendants of Abraham are central figures in the religious traditions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, and their stories are important in the biblical narrative.
According to the bible, at some point, Joseph, one of Jacob's sons, was sold into slavery by his brothers and ended up in Egypt, where he eventually rose to a position of power.
When the famine struck Canaan, Joseph's brothers, including Jacob and the rest of their family, went to Egypt to buy food. Joseph recognized them and revealed his identity, leading to a reunion with his family.
Due to the famine in Canaan, Jacob and his family settled in Egypt, and they were given land in the region of Goshen by the Egyptian Pharaoh. This was initially a hospitable arrangement. But over time, the Israelites multiplied and became a numerous people in Egypt. A new Pharaoh arose who did not know Joseph and felt threatened by the Israelites' numbers. This Pharaoh imposed harsh and oppressive slavery on the Israelites as a means to control and diminish their population.
The Israelites were subjected to forced labor, building cities and performing other tasks under brutal conditions. They were oppressed and afflicted for hundreds of years.
The story of Moses, who was raised in the Pharaoh's palace but later became a leader of the Israelites, is a central part of the narrative. Through a series of miraculous events and with the assumed guidance of God, whereby according to the bible, God decreed, "I have promised to rescue you from your oppression in Egypt. I will lead you to a land flowing with milk and honey—the land where the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites now live.”
Moses then led the Israelites out of Egypt in an event known as the Exodus.
This biblical account of the Israelites' enslavement in Egypt and their subsequent liberation is a foundational story in Judaism and is also referenced in Christian and Islamic traditions.
The term "Israel" has both historical and contemporary significance, and its meaning has evolved over time. In the biblical context, "Israel" refers to a name given to Jacob, Abrahams son and one of the patriarchs of the Israelites. His descendants, who are often referred to as the "Children of Israel," became the twelve tribes of Israel.
The term "Palestinians" refers to an ethnically and culturally diverse group of people who primarily for thousands of years, inhabited the region of historic Palestine, which includes modern day Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip. Palestinians have a distinct cultural identity, a rich history, including a significant presence in the region for centuries. They had been predominantly islamised over the centuries by serial arab Invaders and other foreigners.
The modern day Palestinian-Israeli conflict is a long-standing and complex issue centered around the aspirations of Palestinians for self-determination and statehood, particularly in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, which have been under brutal Israeli occupation. The status, treatment and rights of todays Palestinians vary depending on their location and the political circumstances.
The modern State of Israel came into existence after a series of historical events, including the Balfour Declaration of 1917, the League of Nations Mandate for Palestine, and the United Nations General Assembly's approval of the partition plan for Mandatory Palestine in 1947. These events paved the way for the establishment of the State of Israel on May 14, 1948.
The establishment of Israel was a complex and controversial process, marked by conflict and displacement of both Jewish and Arab populations. It remains a central focus of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the region. The historical and political context of Israel's formation is deeply intertwined with the broader history of the Middle East and the post-World War II world.
Here's a brief overview of the history of the conflict:
1. Late 19th and Early 20th Century:
The conflict began to take shape in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as Jewish immigration to Palestine increased. This immigration was driven by the Rothschild's family backed European Zionist movement, which aimed to establish a homeland for Jewish people in Palestine, then part of the Ottoman Empire.
2. World War I and British Mandate:
During World War I, the British captured Palestine from the Ottomans. After the war, the League of Nations granted Britain the mandate to govern Palestine, which included facilitating the establishment of a "national home for the Jewish people" while protecting the rights of the existing Arab population.
3. 1947 UN Partition Plan:
In 1947, the United Nations proposed a partition plan that would have created separate Jewish and Arab states in Palestine. The plan was accepted by Jewish leaders but rejected by the indigenous Arab leaders.
4. 1948 War and the Creation of Israel:
The rejection of the UN plan led to the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. Israel declared its independence, and neighboring Arab states entered the conflict. Israel emerged from the western backed war with its territory expanded, while hundreds of thousands of Palestinian Arabs became refugees.
5. Arab-Israeli Wars and Occupations:
Subsequent conflicts in 1956, 1967, and 1973 further reshaped the region's borders. Israel gained control of the West Bank, East Jerusalem, Gaza Strip, and the Golan Heights in these wars, leading to the occupation of Palestinian and Syrian territories.
6. Palestinian Resistance and Intifadas:
Palestinian resistance movements, including the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), emerged in the mid-20th century. The First Intifada (1987-1993) and the Second Intifada (2000-2005) were periods of widespread Palestinian uprisings and brutal Israeli military responses.
7. Peace Process:
Over the years, there have been attempts to negotiate a peaceful resolution to the conflict, resulting in agreements like the Oslo Accords (1993) and the Camp David Summit (2000). These efforts have faced numerous challenges, and a comprehensive peace agreement has remained elusive.
8. Gaza Strip Disengagement:
In 2005, Israel unilaterally withdrew from the Gaza Strip, ending its military presence. However, Gaza remains under Israeli blockade, administered by Hamas.
9. Recent Developments:
The conflict continues to influence regional dynamics, with ongoing tensions, violence, and diplomatic efforts. The status of Jerusalem, borders, refugees, and the rights of both Israelis and Palestinians are contentious issues.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains a deeply rooted and multifaceted issue with significant political, historical, and humanitarian dimensions. It continues to be a major challenge for regional and international efforts to achieve a lasting peace.
By Chimazuru Nnadi-Oforgu
Duruebube Uzii na Abosi