The dispute between Israel and Palestine is rooted in competing national aspirations and a fight over territorial claims. The conflict began with the Balfour Declaration of 1917. Issued by Arthur James Balfour, the then British Foreign Secretary, it declared Britain’s support for the establishment of a Jewish “national home” in Palestine.
However, this announcement stirred unrest. Unable to quell the rising violence between Arabs and Jews, Britain withdrew its forces from Palestine in 1948. This left the newly formed United Nations responsible for resolving this territorial dispute.
Post British-Withdrawal: The Creation of Israel and the Arab-Israel War
Following Britain’s withdrawal, Israel declared independence. Their move sparked outrage among surrounding Arab nations leading to the Arab-Israel War in 1948. At the end of this war, Israel controlled about 50% more territory than originally proposed by the United Nations’ partition plan.
Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO)
The unfolding events, including the UN Partition Plan, couldn’t resolve the crisis. This led to the formation of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation in 1964. The PLO was founded with the aim of liberating Palestine from Israeli control. The United Nations granted the PLO observer status in 1975 and acknowledged the Palestinians’ right to self-determination.
The Six-Day War and the Emergence of Hamas
In the Six-Day War of 1967, Israeli forces seized several territories from neighbouring countries. The militant group Hamas emerged in 1987, as an offshoot of Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood, seeking to fulfill its agenda through violent jihad. The U.S government lists Hamas as a terrorist organization.
Israel- Palestine Treaties: The Oslo Accords
The Oslo Accords of 1993 marked a significant turning point in the Israel-Palestine conflict. Under these agreements, Israel and PLO officially recognized each other, renouncing the use of violence. The Accords also established the Palestinian Authority, granting it limited autonomy in Gaza Strip and parts of the West Bank.
Israel’s Territorial Disputes with Neighbouring Countries
The territorial disputes primarily involve the regions of the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and Golan Heights. The West Bank, sandwiched between Israel and Jordan, was seized by Israel during the 1967 war. The Gaza Strip, located between Israel and Egypt, was occupied by Israel after 1967 but was largely relinquished control during the Oslo peace process. The Golan Heights, a strategic plateau captured from Syria in 1967, was effectively annexed by Israel in 1981.
India’s Stand on the Israel-Palestine Conflict and Impact on International Geopolitical Scenario
India, having undergone its partition, opposed the UN’s partition plan for Palestine in 1947. Despite recognising Israel in 1950, India was the first non-Arab country to recognise PLO as the sole representative of the Palestinian. In recent years, however, India’s position appears to have shifted towards a more balanced stance, often perceived as pro-Israel. Nonetheless, India still advocates for a Two-State Solution, proposing the right to self-determination for both nations.
Impact on Israel-Saudi Arabia Relations and Other Regional Powers
The assault on Israel by Hamas could disrupt attempts to bring Saudi Arabia and Israel, along with other nations interested in normalizing relations with Israel, together. Such normalization would bolster Israel’s claim over Palestinian territories. It would also hamper the agenda of the Muslim Brotherhood to assert territorial sovereignty over the Arab and Middle East region.
The Role of India in Mediating the Conflict
Being a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for 2021-22 and re-elected to the Human Rights Council for 2022-24, India has an opportunity to use these multilateral forums to mediate the Israel-Palestine issue.
The Abraham Accords as A Potential Solution
The recent normalization agreements between Israel and UAE, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco, known as the Abraham Accords, could serve as an example for resolving the conflict. All regional powers should strive for peace between Israel and Palestine on similar lines.
