The ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine has been a subject of international concern for years. The situation recently escalated after three days of violence, which resulted in numerous casualties on both sides. Earlier this year as well, there were flare-ups at Jerusalem’s al-Aqsa Mosque, leading to heightened tensions. Fundamental to the issue are questions around the geography of Israel & Palestine, the Arab-Israel war of 1948, and the Abraham Accord.
Recent Conflict: An Overview
The recent unrest was ignited when Israeli aircraft targeted Islamic Jihad Leaders in Gaza. Such actions prompted the Iran-backed Palestinian Jihad militant group to retaliate by barraging Israel with rockets. The Israeli operation began with a strike aimed at an Islamic Jihad leader, subsequently followed by an attack on another key figure. In response, Gaza militants reportedly released about 580 rockets towards Israel. Many of these were intercepted, with two specifically targeted towards Jerusalem.
The International Perspective: Role of the U.N. Security Council
A significant development amid the violence was the U.N. Security Council’s emergency meeting. China, holding the council presidency for August 2022, convened the session at the behest of the United Arab Emirates, representing Arab nations on the council, along with China, France, Ireland and Norway.
The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict and Jerusalem
Jerusalem is at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In the original 1947 United Nations (UN) partition plan, Jerusalem was supposed to be an international city. However, the first Arab-Israel war of 1948 saw Israelis capturing the western part of the city, while Jordan took control of the eastern half, including the Old City that houses Haram al-Sharif.
The Six-Day War in 1967 and its Aftermath
The Six-Day War in 1967 marked a significant turning point in the conflict. This military conflict pitted Israel against a coalition of Arab states, primarily consisting of Jordan, Syria, and Egypt. Post-war, control of the al-Aqsa Mosque shifted from the Waqf Ministry of Jordan to the Israeli government. Since annexing East Jerusalem, Israel has expanded settlements across the region.
Recent Developments: The al-Aqsa Mosque & Sheikh Jarrah
Tensions escalated in May 2021 when Israeli armed forces attacked Al-Aqsa Mosque in the Haram esh-Sharif in Jerusalem. The proposed eviction of numerous Palestinian families residing in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah exacerbated the crisis further. Moreover, Israel’s Supreme Court greenlit the eviction of more than 1,000 Palestinian dwellers of a rural section of the occupied West Bank for military exercises.
India’s Stand on the Crisis
India’s stance on the longest-running conflict globally has significantly evolved over the years. Initially siding with Palestine for almost four decades, India is now striving to maintain a delicate balance between its relations with both Israel and Palestine. A prominent example of this shift was the 2017 visit by the Indian PM to Israel, which was not accompanied by a visit to Palestine. However, a 2018 visit to Palestine indicated a continuation of India’s dehyphenation policy.
Examining Shortlisted Questions for UPSC Civil Services Examination
The UPSC civil services examination features questions related to this conflict, underlining its global importance. The 2015 prelims question asked candidates to identify a South-West Asian country landlocked except for a border on the Red Sea. A 2019 mains question prompted a discussion on UNESCO’s financial woes coupled with allegations of ‘anti-Israel bias’ after the USA’s withdrawal. Another query from the 2018 mains questions revolved around the recent depth and diversity in India-Israel relations.
Source: TH
