I realize that I have not included any background information or history of the Israeli/Palestinian situation in this blog. Although I am not much of a history person, I will try to provide a brief summary of the conflict. Before coming here, I admit that I was completely ignorant of the situation here. Now I know a bit more, but am certainly far from knowing it all (I don't think it is even possible to know it all...the situation is so complex). So anyways, here is my attempt at a brief history lesson.
In 1917, through the Balfour Declaration, Britian committed itself to working toward the creation of a Jewish homeland in Mandate Palestine. In 1947, the Partition Plan was passed by the UN, dividing Mandate Palestine into two sections: the Jewish state(56% of Mandate Palestine) and the Palestinian state (44%). Obviously, the Palestinians were not pleased with this Plan and did not accept it, as it called for the loss of over half of their land. In 1948, David Ben-Gurion declared the creation of the State of Israel, thereby sparking the War of 1948. The Israelis call this war the "War of Independence," while Palestinians call it the "Nakba" (the catastrophe). The Israeli army was better prepared for the war, and consequently, more than 700,000 Palestinians were forced off their land and became homeless refugees. During the course of the war, 413 Palestinian towns and villages were destroyed. As a result of the war, Israel came to contol 78% of Mandate Palestine (much more than they were allotted in the original Partiition Plan of 1947).
In 1949, the UN passed the General Assembly Resolution, calling for the return of the Palestinian refugees from the 1948 War. In order to join the UN, Israel was supposed to comply with this mandate, but has not made any effort to compensate the refugees or return them to their homes. It is interesting, because the Israeli government has passed the Law of Return, which guarantees Israeli citizenship to any Jew around the world, while Palestinian refugees who were born in Israel can no longer enter Israel. There seems to be no end to the injustice.
In 1967, the next major event occurred, which was the "6 Day War." At this time, Israeli military forces drove Jordanians out of the West Bank and East Jerusalem and began to occupy the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Israel has been militarily occuping these areas ever since. They have not actually annexed these areas, as that would mean they would have to extend citizenship to Palestinians of the West Bank and Gaza. The fact that these people do not have citizenship makes them unable to travel freely within their own country, and it also means they do not have the same protection and rights that Israeli citizens have. As an occupying force, Israel is supposed to protect the civilians of the Occupied Territory and avoid moving its own citizens in the Occupied territories, neither of which it has actually adhered to.
This was a very basic outline of Israel/Palestine's history and I have not even gone over the history prior to the 20th century. I got my information from a book called What is Palestine/Israel? by Sonia K. Weaver. It is easy to read and provides an understandable account of the history of the Israeil/Palestinian conflict. I would recommend it to anyone wanting to learn more about this. I am also reading The Lemon Tree right now, which is an account of two families, one Israeli, one Palestinian, each one trying to understand the other's point of view. It contains a great background of hisory and is a touching story.
In 1917, through the Balfour Declaration, Britian committed itself to working toward the creation of a Jewish homeland in Mandate Palestine. In 1947, the Partition Plan was passed by the UN, dividing Mandate Palestine into two sections: the Jewish state(56% of Mandate Palestine) and the Palestinian state (44%). Obviously, the Palestinians were not pleased with this Plan and did not accept it, as it called for the loss of over half of their land. In 1948, David Ben-Gurion declared the creation of the State of Israel, thereby sparking the War of 1948. The Israelis call this war the "War of Independence," while Palestinians call it the "Nakba" (the catastrophe). The Israeli army was better prepared for the war, and consequently, more than 700,000 Palestinians were forced off their land and became homeless refugees. During the course of the war, 413 Palestinian towns and villages were destroyed. As a result of the war, Israel came to contol 78% of Mandate Palestine (much more than they were allotted in the original Partiition Plan of 1947).
In 1949, the UN passed the General Assembly Resolution, calling for the return of the Palestinian refugees from the 1948 War. In order to join the UN, Israel was supposed to comply with this mandate, but has not made any effort to compensate the refugees or return them to their homes. It is interesting, because the Israeli government has passed the Law of Return, which guarantees Israeli citizenship to any Jew around the world, while Palestinian refugees who were born in Israel can no longer enter Israel. There seems to be no end to the injustice.
In 1967, the next major event occurred, which was the "6 Day War." At this time, Israeli military forces drove Jordanians out of the West Bank and East Jerusalem and began to occupy the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Israel has been militarily occuping these areas ever since. They have not actually annexed these areas, as that would mean they would have to extend citizenship to Palestinians of the West Bank and Gaza. The fact that these people do not have citizenship makes them unable to travel freely within their own country, and it also means they do not have the same protection and rights that Israeli citizens have. As an occupying force, Israel is supposed to protect the civilians of the Occupied Territory and avoid moving its own citizens in the Occupied territories, neither of which it has actually adhered to.
This was a very basic outline of Israel/Palestine's history and I have not even gone over the history prior to the 20th century. I got my information from a book called What is Palestine/Israel? by Sonia K. Weaver. It is easy to read and provides an understandable account of the history of the Israeil/Palestinian conflict. I would recommend it to anyone wanting to learn more about this. I am also reading The Lemon Tree right now, which is an account of two families, one Israeli, one Palestinian, each one trying to understand the other's point of view. It contains a great background of hisory and is a touching story.
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