The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a complex and deeply rooted dispute over land and self-determination. Its origins trace back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries with the rise of Zionism, a movement advocating for a Jewish homeland, and growing Arab nationalism in Palestine, then under Ottoman rule.

Following World War I and the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, Palestine became a British Mandate. Jewish immigration increased, fueled by persecution in Europe, leading to growing tensions and clashes with the Arab population who felt displaced and threatened by the influx. The 1947 UN Partition Plan proposed dividing Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states, but it was rejected by Arab leaders.

The 1948 Arab-Israeli War, triggered by Israel’s declaration of independence, resulted in significant territorial changes. Israel gained more land than allocated in the Partition Plan, while hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were displaced, becoming refugees in neighboring countries. This event is known as the “Nakba” (catastrophe) by Palestinians and remains a central point of contention.

Subsequent wars, including the 1967 Six-Day War, further reshaped the map. Israel occupied the West Bank, Gaza Strip, East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights. These territories are considered occupied under international law, although Israel disputes this characterization. The occupation has led to the establishment of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, which are considered illegal by most of the international community and a major obstacle to peace.

The core issues fueling the conflict include:

• Borders: The establishment of mutually agreed upon and secure borders. Palestinians seek a state based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
• Jerusalem: Both Israelis and Palestinians claim Jerusalem as their capital. Its status is a highly sensitive and unresolved issue.
• Refugees: The right of Palestinian refugees to return to their former homes, a demand Israel rejects due to demographic concerns.
• Security: Israeli concerns about security from Palestinian attacks, and Palestinian concerns about the impact of Israeli security measures on their daily lives.
• Settlements: The continued expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, which Palestinians view as a barrier to establishing a viable state.

Numerous attempts at peace negotiations have failed to achieve a lasting resolution. The Oslo Accords in the 1990s offered a framework for interim self-governance for Palestinians, but the process stalled amid violence and mistrust. The ongoing conflict is marked by cycles of violence, including Israeli military operations and Palestinian attacks. A two-state solution, where Israel and Palestine coexist peacefully as independent states, remains the internationally recognized goal, but achieving it requires overcoming significant obstacles and building trust between both sides.

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