The beginnings of the Palestinian/Israeli conflict began at the end of the nineteenth century when Zionism was born in response to Jewish persecution over the centuries in Europe. The Zionists believed that the Jewish people needed a homeland for only Jews to safeguard themselves and provide security and peace, and chose Palestine because they believe that it was the land promised to them in the Hebrew scriptures.

In 1947 the United Nations partitioned Palestine into two states, one Jewish and one Palestinian in order to settle the question of ownership of Palestine. No names were given to either state. Jewish state was given 56.4% and Palestinian 45.53%. Israel became the Jewish state and no Arab state was declared as the Palestinians saw the division and resolution as unfair and unjust being imposed against their will. The decision meant that over half the land of Palestine was given away without the consent of the local people. Palestinians lost homes and farms that had been in their families for generations.

An estimated 725,000 to 810,000 Palestinians fled or were forced to flee their homes during the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948 and the Arab Israeli war that followed it. After the 1948 war and up to the present day Israel has continued to expand its boarders well beyond that of the original UN fixed boarders to include over 80% of Palestine. After 1967 war Israel occupied it all. Israel expanded its territory and instead of 45.53% of the territory, Palestinians were left with only 20% of their original homeland. Egypt, Syria and Jordan occupied the remaining land until 1967, when Israel gained the territory in the six –day war. Today over 4 million Palestinian refugees are registered with the UN. Most are living under Israeli military rule in the occupied territories of Gaza and West Bank.

Providing a home, safety and the end of dispersion for one people by creating the dispossession and homelessness of another remains at the heart of the conflict. Until these contradictions are solved there will continue to be a Palestinian/Israeli conflict.

In 1948 when Israel was created, Palestine, (then occupied by the indigenous population called Palestinians), was divided to create a Jewish state. Although anti-Semitism in Europe had already led some Jews to settle in Palestine prior to 1948, the holocaust of WW11 made the question of a Jewish state more urgent. Only in a Jewish state could Jews feel safe, and they claimed Palestine for their new country. Jews were only a minority there, however, and the majority population viewed the area as a Palestinian/Arab homeland.

The Jewish Claim

HISTORICAL

The Jewish people claim a 3000-year connection to the land. It was the home of their ancestors and although most lived in diaspora, after exile in the 6th century BC and then again in 70 AD, there was always a small Jewish presence. Those abroad maintained their hope to return.

In the 1880's the Jewish population of Europe was subjected to raids of their towns, known as Pogroms. In response, many young Jews, living in the main cities of Russia, Germany, etc, decided to fulfill the long dreamt-of return to the ancestoral homeland. This was the Zionist movement (Zion being an old name for the Holy Land).

BIBLICAL

Religious Jews argue a right to the land as descedents of the Israelites to whom god promised Palestine (Biblically referred to as Canaan). Although other people have taken the land from them it belongs to them by divine right, and, to a radical few, it is against god's command to give up any of the land they have regained. The majority, however, simply claim it as the land of their ancestors, and therefore rightfully theirs.

THE NEED FOR A SAFE REFUGE

Throughout history Jews have been subject to discrimination forced expulsion and violent persecution in Christian Europe - from the crusades, to the Spanish Inquisition, and general Anti-Semitism throughout the 19th century - culminating in the horrors of the holocaust. Nowhere felt safe for the Jews. There had been a growing tide of Jewish settlement since the turn of the century, but following WWII the move to Palestine reached a new peak.

SUCCESS WITH THE LAND

Some claim that historically Palestine has only been prosperous under the Jews. There are many stories of swamps that were dried up by Jewish settlers by planting eucalyptus trees.

BRITISH PROMISE

In 1917 the British foreign minister express support of the Jewish community for a homeland in Palestine in a letter, named The Balfour Declaration.

THE EMPTY LAND MYTH

Some claim the land of Palestine was empty and there was plenty of room for Jewish settlement. They claimed it was a land without a people for a people without a land.

The Palestinian Claim

HISTORICAL

Palestinians argue an historical connection to the land as their ancestors have lived there for thousands of years. Palestinians Christians can trace their ancestors to the time of Christ.

CONTINUOUS OCCUPATION OF THE LAND

Palestinian’s argue they have a natural right to the land. They have always been the occupiers of the land. They argue that for most of history there was no significant Jewish presence and that Jews were never a majority even when they ruled.

NATIVE PEOPLE

Palestinians view themselves as native to the land as the first people to live there and the descendants of the Empires and people’s who have occupied Palestine.

BRITISH PROMISE

In 1915-1916 Britain gave a promise of Post War Independence for Arabs in the Middle East region, supporting Arab ideas for an Arab Kingdom.

RELIGIOUS POSITION

Many claim that the Islamic conquest of Palestine was in the name of God and the land was handed over as a religious trust to Muslims, so it would be against God to give it up.

FORCED JEWISH SETTLEMENT

Palestinians argue that Jewish settlement starting from around the 1880’s was forced and was unwelcome. Land was settled and still is against their will. Palestinians argue that Jews taking their land to create a Jewish land out f the terrible events of the holocaust is asking Palestinians to pay the price of European anti-Semitism. Europeans and not Arabs committed the horrific violence and inhumanity of the holocaust. Palestinians feel they are suffering because of the events during WWII. The claims of both sides have importance, and despite the disputed fairness of the Jewish settlement since 1890’s and the 1948 partition, many Palestinians and Israelis realize that Israel exists and is there to stay. The International community more and more understand the need for the Palestinians to have their homeland and state alongside that of the already existing Israel. Any chance for Peace needs to come from a mutual long lasting, and fair acceptance and recognition of the other and individual autonomy and the history surrounding the dispute since the creation of Israel in 1948.

The Occupied Palestinian territories

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The West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem make up the areas assigned to Palestine pre 1948 under the UN partition plan. Egypt, Jordan and Syria occupied these areas until 1967 when Israel gained control through military means. They remain under Israeli Military control.

State Of Palestine

On 15th November 1988 the Palestine National Council proclaimed an independent Palestinian State in the occupied territories, with Jerusalem as its capital. The state has not been established as Israel controls and occupies the areas in question. An independent Palestinian state is one of the major issues that need to be resolved in order for a viable and just peace solution to commence. The UN recognises Palestinian self-determination, sovereignty, rule and National Independence.

Palestinian Diaspora.

The creation of Israel was the cause of Palestinian Diaspora. More than half of Palestinian inhabitants have been forced from their homes and have become refugees internationally and within the West Bank, Gaza, Lebanon and Jordan. Palestinian Refugees are considered according to UNWRA are persons whose normal place of residence was Palestine between June 1946 and May 1948, who lost both their homes and means of livelihood as a result of the 1948 Arab-Israeli conflict”. In 2002 the number of Palestinian refugees reached over 4 million and continues to rise, particularly during the continued attacks on Gaza.

RIGHT OF RETURN

On 11th December 1948 the UN passed resolution 194, recognising the Palestinian right of return. Palestinian refugees have a right to return to their homes in what is now known as Israel. For Palestinians the right to return to their home is a core right and an important part of their identity and ancestry. Israel rejects the right of Palestinian return. This is because a return of Palestinians would create a demographic problem and would mean recognition of the atrocities and occupation of Palestine in 1948 to the present. The Jewish state would not be possible if Palestinians were able to return to their homes. Instead Israel has created its own “Jewish right of return”, whereby every Jew in the world has the right to settle in Israel. The recognition of Palestinian right of return is one of the key challenges to the peace process.

INTIFADA

Translated as “UPRISING”, it refers to two periods of Palestinian resistance against the Israeli Occupation, 1987-93 and 2000- to the present. Competing Jewish and Palestinian claims to the same land. The Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories The harsh oppressive living conditions imposed on Palestinians in occupied areas The continuing growth of Jewish settlements, illegal under international law in the occupied territories The need for Israeli security The fate of over four million Palestinian refugees Extremists on both sides deny the other sides right to existence as a nation state, and sometimes as a people.

WHAT DOES THE UNITED NATIONS SAY?

The United Nations accepted both claims with the aim of creating a compromise of two states Palestinian and Israeli. They partitioned the land, both side by side with the hopes of two secure recognised boarders referring to Israel as the “occupying power” (resolution 1397 (2002, 12/3/02). www.un.org/depts/dpa/qpalnew/resolutions_new_qpal