Explained: The Israel-Palestine Dispute

The series of events started on 10th May when Israel’s armed forces assailed Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem. It is estimated that around 300-600 Palestinian were injured in this attack.

Al Aqsa is the 3rd holiest site for Muslims. It is important to note that 14th May marks the commencement of the state of Israel, whereas 10th May is celebrated as the Nakba Day, which is also known as a Palestinian Catastrophe.

After the attacks, the militant group Hamas came into the picture. This group controls Gaza, and it started launching rockets towards Israel. These attacks have taken the lives of about eight people, including one Indian. Israel, on its part, then went on to proceed with airstrikes in Gaza. Reports suggest that about 250 people were killed in these attacks, and massive destruction is what the Gaza Strip faced.

The situation got tensed with a ruling coming out in October 2020, when a court in Israel ordered forcible eviction of 12 Palestinian families from East Jerusalem (neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah). Currently, the Supreme court of Israel has postponed hearing this case because of the unrest prevailing.

Past Events

First up, history is simply a series of events, so it is a request to our readers to avoid making hasty assessments about whose acts are justified and whose are not; since taking a person’s life can never be.

Although we start with the First World War to analyze this issue, it is imperative to note that Jews claim that they were the actual residents of this area which is also supported by historical evidence. However, it was later invaded and finally became a part of the Ottoman empire.

With the Ottoman Empire being on the losing side in the First World War, its colonies became a colony of Britain. Palestine was brought under the British rule as a mandate. But it did not gain independence which was the real purpose of the Mandate system.

Next comes Germany with its dictator Adolf Hitler. They practically persecuted the Jews, which led to their exodus from Germany. A few of them found shelter in Palestine as well. There was an international sentiment and support with the Jews, and therefore Israel came into being. However, this was not so simple because a series of wars were fought between Arab and Israel. In 1948 and 1967, Israel emerged victoriously, but they lost the Gaza Strip with the First and Second Intifada.

It was 2007 when the fundamentalist group, i.e. Hamas took control of the Gaza strip. And to fight this group, Israel launched Operation Protective Edge, which later resulted in thousands of deaths.

Thus it is not easy to pick one side, which is all right because history does not owe anyone any explanations. 

Impact of the violence on international politics, the worldly response and, what goes on from here:

The overall and worst impact comes down to the civilians being held hostage for so many years. The arms, militants, and disastrous weapons don't distinguish between men, women, kids and rockpiles. There has been unified solidarity with Palestine this time, and it has gone online throughout the world.

A narrative from the mainstream media is being reclaimed concerning Palestine. It is picking up support in Western nations as well, which previously aided Israel. However, this doesn’t uproot the fact that more and more people are becoming stateless, being harshly policed, and pondering to thrive for a primary livelihood.

The incoming officials of western nations, herein, the USA especially, adopted a different stance this time, which mentioned a “two-state solution”. Yet, politics is what makes the “two-state solution” impractical. In simple words, achieving this target won’t be possible without tripping one another.

The domestic politics of Palestine and Israel is not the only issue but also how it shall create any critical drawbacks of their relations with other middle east nations. Herein, the main concern always remains of how the natives’ lives will remain at the edge.

Efforts to manage this situation that has already been prolonged so much, this needs to be addressed as soon as possible with absolute legality. That means confronting all sorts of absurd conditions prevailing. Of course, it’s unavoidable to avoid despair in policy circles, but constructive measures need to be adopted.

Relief came in after 11 days of fighting when both the parties agreed to an armistice. It was mediated by their neighboring country Egypt.

It seems like a journey of a thousand miles. However, curative paths need to be established to the emergence of long-term alternatives, emphasizing a “rights-based approach” for the natives of two nations, regardless of the governing political framework.