Although the current Israeli – Palestinian war might seem like a sudden outbreak, its roots extend deep into a 1000-year history. Ironically for decades, humanity has fought for a 35-acre land plot.
Since 1800, Jews have endured numerous atrocities, often rooted in religion and ethnicity. In literature, even the works of Shakespeare depicted Jews in negative roles, contributing to a skewed perception.
The Quest For A Homeland:
The history of this conflict is intrinsically linked to the Jews’ desire for a homeland. In 1881, Jewish migration to Palestine commenced as they sought to establish permanent settlements, influenced by the holy significance of Jerusalem. At that time, there was no Israel, Gaza, or West Wall; the entire region was Palestine.
World War I And British Rule:
Jews peacefully resided in Palestine until World War I in 1915. During the war, the British played a political game, seeking support from both Arabs and Jews to defeat the Ottoman Empire. In return, they promised each a portion of land in Palestine. Post-war, the entire Middle East was divided between Britain and France, placing Palestine under British rule from 1918 to 1948.
Impact Of Hitler’s Rise:
Hitler’s ascent in Germany led to the persecution of Jews, prompting mass migration to various parts of America, Europe, and Palestine. By 1948, after enduring decades of hardship, the British decided to divide Palestine among Jews and Arabs. The United Nations created a partition plan, granting 45% of the land to Arabs, 55% to the Jewish population, and placing Jerusalem, a religiously significant area, under international control.
The Birth Of Israel:
The Jewish community embraced this proposal, naming their newly-formed nation Israel. However, the Arab population was dissatisfied with the plan. Consequently, the first Arab-Israeli war erupted in 1948, resulting in an Israeli victory and the acquisition of a significant portion of the land, including Gaza.
The 2023 Conflict:
The current conflict’s focal point has remained the West Wall, a 35-acre area of immense religious importance to Muslims, Christians, and Jews. Over the last 4 decades, Israelis have established colonies in this region and the government has supported them by providing cheap homes.
Now the reason for the conflict is that Palestinians who were denied of a substantial piece of land for ages are now discontent with Israeli colonization activity in the West Wall area, fueling hostility and calls for the eradication of Israel. The Palestinian militant group Hamas has launched a military campaign named ‘Operation al-Aqsa Flood” which means causing massacres of Israelis.
Conclusion:
Once again, the world is heading towards a crisis, where the fight for land is overshadowing the call for humanity. In recent days, hundreds of Israelis have lost their lives to Hamas attacks, and the most distressing news is that of children being harmed in Israeli Kibbutz. The world wars of the past have taught us about the far-reaching impact of conflict on generations, with events like Pearl Harbor and the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki leaving lasting marks on the people living in these regions. We hope that the situation can be brought under control and peace restored. After all, no religion is greater than humanity.
