Palestinians • Israel • West Bank

 Palestinians • Israel • West Bank

The Palestinian-Israeli conflict

The Palestinian-Israeli conflict is one of the most complex and intractable conflicts in the world. It has been ongoing for over a century, and there is no easy solution.

The conflict has its roots in the late 19th century, when the Zionist movement began to advocate for the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine. At the time, Palestine was part of the Ottoman Empire, and was predominantly Arab.

In 1917, the British government issued the Balfour Declaration, which expressed support for the establishment of a Jewish national home in Palestine. This declaration led to an influx of Jewish immigrants to Palestine, and increased tensions between Jews and Arabs.

In 1948, the British withdrew from Palestine, and the state of Israel was declared. The surrounding Arab states immediately invaded Israel, but were defeated in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War.

As a result of the war, Israel gained control of most of the territory of the former British Mandate of Palestine. The remaining territory was divided between the West Bank, which was occupied by Jordan, and the Gaza Strip, which was occupied by Egypt.

In 1967, Israel captured the West Bank and Gaza Strip from Jordan and Egypt in the Six-Day War. Since then, Israel has occupied the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and has built settlements in the West Bank.

The Palestinians have sought to establish an independent state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Israel has offered to withdraw from most of the West Bank, but has insisted on maintaining control of East Jerusalem and major settlement blocs.

The Palestinian-Israeli conflict has been marked by violence on both sides. There have been numerous suicide bombings, rocket attacks, and military operations. The conflict has also caused a great deal of suffering and hardship for both Palestinians and Israelis.

The West Bank

The West Bank is a territory located between Israel and Jordan. It is home to approximately 3 million Palestinians and 400,000 Israeli settlers.

The West Bank is an important part of the Palestinian national identity. It is the site of many important religious and cultural sites, including Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and Hebron.

The West Bank is also important for the Palestinian economy. It is home to a number of agricultural and industrial areas.

The Israeli occupation of the West Bank has had a significant impact on the Palestinian economy and society. The occupation has restricted Palestinian movement and access to land and resources. It has also led to the construction of the Israeli West Bank barrier, which has divided the West Bank and made it difficult for Palestinians to travel and trade.

The Palestinian people

The Palestinians are an Arab people who have lived in Palestine for centuries. The Palestinian people have a rich culture and history.

The Palestinians have been the victims of displacement and dispossession. In 1948, over 700,000 Palestinians were expelled from their homes during the Arab-Israeli War. These Palestinians and their descendants are known as refugees.

The Palestinian people have sought to establish an independent state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. However, the Israeli occupation has made this difficult.

The Palestinian people have a right to self-determination and to live in peace and security. The international community has a responsibility to help the Palestinians achieve their rights.

Conclusion

The Palestinian-Israeli conflict is a complex and intractable conflict. There is no easy solution. However, it is important to remember that the Palestinians and Israelis are both people with a right to self-determination and to live in peace and security.

The international community has a responsibility to help the Palestinians and Israelis achieve a peaceful resolution to the conflict. This can be done by supporting the two-state solution, which would involve the establishment of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel.

Additional information

Here is some additional information about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict from a Scots perspective:

• Scots have a long history of supporting the Palestinian people. In 1918, the Scottish Palestine Committee was established to advocate for the rights of the Palestinian people.
• In 2012, the Scottish Parliament passed a motion recognizing the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and to establish an independent state.
• In 2014, the Scottish Parliament passed a motion calling for the boycott of Israeli goods and services.
• The Scottish government has provided financial assistance to the Palestinian people. In 2019, the Scottish government provided £1 million in funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which provides assistance to Palestinian refugees.

The Palestinian-Israeli conflict is a complex and challenging issue. However, it is important to remember that the Palestinians and Israelis are both people with a right to self-determination and to live in peace and security.