The grudges and historical animosities between Israel and Palestine

At the heart of the Middle East lies a long-standing conflict. Historical records capture a significant moment with former US President Jimmy Carter shaking hands with previous leaders from Egypt and Israel. A similar situation occurred in 1993, involving leaders from the US, Israel, and additionally Palestine. These instances were controversial milestones in history, marking efforts to stabilise decades of Middle East conflict between Israel and Palestine. These significant peace efforts earned five of the involved leaders the Nobel Peace Prize. Yet, the complexity of the situation led to the assassination of two of these figures. Agreements painstakingly achieved were torn apart by militants just last week, highlighting the immense challenge of maintaining peace in this region.

The root of the conflict lies in a narrow strip of land in the Middle East, revered as the birthplace of Jesus, the ascension site of Prophet Muhammad, and the origin of Judaism. This land, Israel, is considered one of the most sacred places on Earth. Historically known as Palestine, this region was a part of the Ottoman Empire until World War I. The empire was home to a significant Arab population, and during the war, Britain secretly promised Arab leader Hussein that if he led an Arab revolt against the Ottomans, they would recognise a united Arab state post-war. But post-war realities diverged dramatically from pre-war promises.

Instead of fulfilling their promise, Britain and France secretly divided the region for their own interests in the infamous Sykes-Picot Agreement. Britain justified its actions by claiming temporary guardianship over Palestine, intending to hand it back to the Arabs when they were ready for self-governance.

Simultaneously, the British government endorsed the idea of creating a homeland for Jews in Palestine with the Balfour Declaration. The Jewish community, who had lived in the region two millennia ago and had faced persecution in Europe for centuries, were eager to return. As Jews started settling in Palestine, tensions with the Arab population rose, feeling betrayed by Britain’s contradictory promises. This resulted in violent conflicts between the two communities.

Failing to mediate between the two, Britain withdrew, and the United Nations proposed a partition plan, dividing Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states. Israel was thus established, but the Israel-Palestine conflict persisted.

Israel, since its inception, has faced wars with its Arab neighbours, who, led by the Palestinians, have never accepted the UN's partition plan. Over the decades, Israel expanded its territories, capturing regions like the West Bank, Golan Heights, and East Jerusalem. Both Israelis and Palestinians deeply cherish this land, and many radicals are willing to fight for it to the death.

The conflict has further been complicated by the rise of militant groups, notably Hamas, which gained significant control over the Gaza Strip in recent years. Although various attempts have been made to alleviate the tensions, many radicals view peace talks as a betrayal, leading to numerous assassinations.

Today, the Palestinian territories have shrunk significantly, with only a few areas under their control. While many Arab countries have historically not recognised Israel, some, like Jordan and Egypt, have signed peace treaties.