Arab-Israeli conflict

Arab-Israeli Conflict

The Arab-Israeli conflict refers to the political tension, military conflicts, and disputes between a number of Arab countries and Israel. The roots of the conflict are complex and involve historical, religious, and political factors.

Historical Background

The conflict has its origins in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with the rise of Zionism and Arab nationalism. Zionism was a movement for the re-establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine, while Arab nationalism sought independence from Ottoman and later European colonial rule.

The British Mandate

Following World War I, the League of Nations granted Britain the mandate over Palestine. The Balfour Declaration of 1917 had already expressed British support for a "national home for the Jewish people" in Palestine, which led to increased Jewish immigration and land purchases.

The 1947 UN Partition Plan

In 1947, the United Nations proposed a partition plan to divide Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states, with Jerusalem as an international city. The Jewish community accepted the plan, but the Arab states and Palestinian Arabs rejected it.

Major Conflicts

1948 Arab-Israeli War

Following the declaration of the State of Israel on May 14, 1948, neighboring Arab states invaded, leading to the first Arab-Israeli war. The war resulted in significant territorial changes and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, an event known as the Nakba.

Six-Day War

In June 1967, tensions led to the Six-Day War, during which Israel captured the Gaza Strip, West Bank, East Jerusalem, Sinai Peninsula, and Golan Heights. The war significantly altered the geopolitical landscape and intensified the conflict.

Yom Kippur War

In 1973, Egypt and Syria launched a surprise attack on Israel during the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur, leading to the Yom Kippur War. The war ended with a ceasefire and led to subsequent peace negotiations.

Peace Efforts

Camp David Accords

The Camp David Accords of 1978, brokered by U.S. President Jimmy Carter, led to a peace treaty between Israel and Egypt, the first between Israel and an Arab country.

Oslo Accords

In the 1990s, the Oslo Accords were signed between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), aiming to achieve a peace treaty based on UN Resolutions 242 and 338 and the "land for peace" principle.

Current Issues

The conflict remains unresolved, with key issues including the status of Jerusalem, the borders of Israel and a future Palestinian state, the rights of Palestinian refugees, and security concerns.

See Also

• Palestinian territories
• Israeli settlements
• Gaza–Israel conflict

References

• "UN Partition Plan for Palestine". United Nations.

External Links

• Encyclopedia Britannica: Arab-Israeli Wars
• History.com: Arab-Israeli Wars