Israel / Palestine, a brief historical overview
Disclaimer: While there is an abundance of resources, essays, and op-eds on the conflict between Israel and Palestine, I personally found it difficult to get a brief historical overview of how we ended up where we are. The below is an attempt to put together a short history based on a variety of reputable sources, recognizing the history is much richer and more nuanced than what could fit into a 10-15 minute presentation. If there are historical inaccuracies or important details omitted, I am happy to make changes.
History of the Levant, pre-World War I
~2,000 BCE: The promised land
According to the Jewish Bible, God promises the land of Canaan (modern day Israel, Palestine, parts of Syria and Lebanon) to Abraham and his descendants
The Muslim prophet Muhammad thought to be a descendant of Ishmael, Abraham’s first-born son to his handmaiden Hagar
Jewish people thought to be descendants of Isaac, Abraham’s second-born son to his wife Sarah
~1,000 BCE: Jewish Kingdom of Israel
According to the Jewish bible, King David establishes the Jewish Kingdom of Israel (of David and Goliath) in the Levant; his son, King Solomon builds the “First Temple” in Jerusalem (containing the Ark of the Covenant and the 10 commandments).
Series of wars and empires (Jewish and non Jewish) for more than a 1000 years through the Roman Empire, during which the region was renamed “Syria Palaestina" and beginning of Jewish diaspora
7C: Muslim conquest of the Levant
~1100-1300: Crusader state Kingdom of Jerusalem
1517-1917: Ottoman Empire
Many believe that Jews and Muslims lived in relative peace in this period during which Jews (and Christians) were given special status (dhimmi) as “people of the book”
However, there were still instances of violence, forced conversions, restrictions on clothing, etc.
1918-1947 British Mandate
Conflicting British promises to the Arabs and the Zionist movement
Promise of an independent Arab state: During World War I, the British promise to recognize an independent Arab state (including Palestine) for the Arab support in defeating the Ottoman Empire (Central Powers)
1917 Balfour Declaration: At the same time, the British declare their support for establishment of a “national home for the Jewish people” in Palestine, which is still under Ottoman rule at the time
Sykes-Picot and the British Mandate
Following WWI, Great Britain and France divide up the Middle East (Sykes-Picot) under a temporary Mandates system; Palestine is placed under British mandate
Former Ottoman territories considered “Class A” whose independence is provisionally recognized; other Arab nations gain independence between 1922-1946
Large scale Jewish immigration (1922-1947)
Increase in Jewish immigration, mostly from Europe to Palestine in context of rising anti-semitism in Europe; the rise of the Nazi party and the Holocaust; and increased restrictions on immigration from the US, and rise of Zionism
Source: Jewish Virtual Library
Jewish population increases from 56,000 after WWI to 84,000 (out of 750,000 or ~11%) in 1922 to 608,000 (out of 1.85M or ~1/3) in 1946
Jewish landholdings increased from 650,000 dunums in beginning of 1920s to 1.625M by 1946 *out of total of 26M) or 6.2% of total area and 12% of cultivable land (UN)
Leads to increasing conflicts and violence in the region, and growing Arab antagonism toward the British mandate (seen as European settler colonialism and a threat to native self determination)
6-day War and UN Resolution 242
1967 Six Day War triples Israeli territory and humiliates the Arabs (NPR, BBC)
On June 5, 1967 Israel launches a preemptive surprise attack on the Egyptian air force following a series of threats and escalations from the popular Egyptian President Nasser, who was building a pan-Arab nationalist movement
WIthin six days, Israel tripled its territory by capturing the Gaza strip and the Sinai desert from Egypt; Golan Heights from Syria; and the West Bank and East Jerusalem from Jordan
Considered a humiliation for the Arabs
Many see this war as the beginning of a special relationship between Israel and US (PBS)
UN Security Council Resolution 242 considered to be the basis of resolving the conflict (PBS)
Resolution 242 is adopted in Nov 1967 “emphasizing the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by war and the need to work for a just and lasting peace in which every State in the area can live in security”.
Calls for, among other things:
“Withdrawal of Israeli armed forces from territories occupied in recent conflict;”
“Termination of all claims or states of belligerency and respect for and acknowledgment of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of every State in the area and their right to live in peace within secure and recognized boundaries free from threats or acts of force;”
“For achieving a just settlement for the refugee problem”
Several issues with Resolution:
Unclear whether Israel should withdraw from all or some of the territories occupied (dispute over the word “the” before “territories occupied” which is omitted in the English version but included in the French version)
Status and treatment of Palestine is unclear
Unclear what accounts for a “just settlement for the refugee problem”
The 1990 Oslo Accords
The First Intifada (1987) officially started in Gaza in Dec 1987 (but demonstrations and small scale riots had been simmering for months) and quickly spread to West Bank
Largely nonviolent (mass boycotts, strikes) but also with low-level violent attacks using rocks, Molotov cocktails, etc.
Israeli response and use of force criticized by international community
According to B’Tselem, ~1,500 Palestinians killed by Israeli security forces and civilians vs. ~200 Israelis killed by Palestinians, half civilians, half security forces
Some see the Intifada as having pushed Israel to be more willing to negotiate
Oslo I (1993)
Preceded by mutual recognition between Israel PM Yitzhak Rabin and PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat
Israel recognizing the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) as “the representative of the Palestinian people”
PLO recognizing Israel’s right to exist “in peace and security” and renouncing “the use of terrorism and other acts of violence”
Signing of the Declaration of Principles (at the White House)
Five year “interim period” (to build trust and confidence) during which Israel would incrementally withdraw from parts of the West Bank and Gaza and soon-to-be established Palestinian Authority would combat terrorism and coordinate security with Israel
Final status negotiations in 5 years to resolve “remaining issues including: Jerusalem, refugees, settlements, security arrangements, borders, …”
Oslo II (1995) (PBS)
Divides West Bank into three areas Areas A, B, C
Area A under PA jurisdiction (3% of WB territory; ⅓ of population)
Area B under PA civilian control / Israeli security control
Area C under Israeli control
Aftermath
Israeli PM Rabin assassinated by right wing Israeli in Nov 1994
2000-2001 Camp David summit fails; some believe the Taba Talks Jan 2001 was the closest Israel and Palestine got to a settlement; yet, no resolution partially due to US and Israeli elections
2000-2005 Second Intifada
2000s: The Second Intifada, Hamas and Gaza, and Israeli settlements
Second Intifada (2000-2005) follows the collapse of the Oslo peace process
Israelis claim that PLO Chairman Arafat allowed / encouraged / orchestrated the violence to happen
Palestinians point to Ariel Sharon (soon to be PM)’s visit to Temple Mount
Much more violent than the First Intifada with suicide bombing, rocket attacks, sniper fire, etc.
According to B’Tselem, ~3,200 Palestinians killed by Israelis; ~650 Israeli civilians and ~300 Israeli security forces killed
Israel imposes strong restrictions on Palestinian mobility, building separation barriers, etc. (AmPalestine)
Hamas and Gaza
In 2005, Israel decides to unilaterally withdraw from Gaza and dismantles Israeli settlements in Gaza
In 2006, Hamas, which the US, Israel and the EU have designated a terrorist group, wins Palestinian Parlimentary elections
Many attribute it to Palestinian disenchantment with Palestinian Authority’s corruption; perceived unwillingness of the Israeli government to negotiate; Hamas’ organization of clinics and schools; etc.
In 2007, Hamas wins control over Gaza (against Fatah, the de facto ruling party in the West Bank)
Since 2007, Israeli blockade of Gaza severely restricts movement of people and goods; several wars between Israel and Hamas in Gaza that usually ends with large numbers of deaths among Palestinians (sometimes referred to as “mowing the lawn”) (BBC)
Expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank
Mahmoud Abbas remains President of PA since 2005 (4-year term)
Israeli settlements in the West Bank, which most of the international community regards as illegal, continue to expand
~475,000 Israeli settlers in the West Bank, more than double the number from 2000
Additional ~200,000 in East Jerusalem
One-State vs. Two-State Solution
Source: The Economist
Two-state solution with an independent Jewish state of Israel and state of Palestine
Most “mainstream” solution although support has been decreasing over time
One-state solution with a single, democratic state across the territories of Israel, Gaza and the West Bank today
Other solutions include a single state where a population is either largely expelled (“transferred”) or denied equal rights, which some people would argue is the de facto current state
For Discussion
What, if anything, will need to change for the stakeholders to push for change from the status quo?
What would need to happen to make a two-state solution to work after decades failing to make it work?
What would it take for a one-state solution to work? What are the safeguards that may need to be in place?
How do we allow for criticism of Israeli policies while condemning anti-semitism?
What would it take to heal the anger and mistrust?