The First Part Of The Project Will Be An Exploration Of A Re
The First Part Of The Project Will Be An Exploration Of A Real Ongoin
The first part of the project will be an exploration of a real, ongoing conflict, including substantial backgrounds on the parties involved, the nature of the conflict, and its significance. The minimum length of this section is three pages, not including cover and reference pages. A minimum of three references is expected. Every word of your Signature Assignment should be essential to conveying its overall message: do not over-explain ideas, use larger words when smaller ones will do, or add text only to help you bulk up the length of your paper. You will have opportunities to strengthen the language of your paper in sections 2 and 3.
All parts of this project must be produced in Microsoft Word. The text must be double-spaced, have one-inch margins, and be in either 12-point Times New Roman, Calibri, or Arial font. At least three sources must be included in your paper and must be documented both in the paper and in the references using the APA Author-Date writing style, 7th edition. Your paper must include a title page, body, and reference page. The title page and reference page must be separate pages.
Paper For Above instruction
Introduction
The ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict epitomizes one of the most protracted and complex disputes in modern history. Rooted in territorial claims, religious significance, and national identities, this conflict has persisted for over a century, causing immense human suffering, regional instability, and global diplomatic challenges. This paper aims to explore the historical background, key parties involved, and the current significance of this conflict, providing a comprehensive understanding of its complexities and the stakes involved for all parties.
Historical Background
The origins of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict trace back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, during a period of burgeoning nationalist movements. Jewish immigration to Palestine, then part of the Ottoman Empire, increased significantly due to rising anti-Semitism in Europe and the Zionist movement's call for a Jewish homeland (Sachar, 2007). Concurrently, Palestinian Arab inhabitants, who had lived in the region for centuries, developed a burgeoning sense of national identity and opposition to Jewish settlement (Khalidi, 2006). Following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire after World War I, Britain gained control of Palestine under the League of Nations Mandate, further complicating the demographic and political landscape.
The Balfour Declaration of 1917, which expressed British support for a Jewish homeland in Palestine, increased tensions between Jewish immigrants and the Arab population (Pappé, 2004). Throughout the British Mandate, violence intermittently erupted, driven by both communities' aspirations for independence and control over land. The United Nations proposed a partition plan in 1947, recommending the division of Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states, a plan accepted by Jewish leaders but rejected by Arab nations and Palestinian Arabs, leading to civil war (Morris, 2001).
The declaration of the State of Israel in 1948 marked a turning point, prompting neighboring Arab states to invade, resulting in the first Arab-Israeli war and creating a large Palestinian refugee population. Subsequent conflicts, including the Six-Day War of 1967 and the Yom Kippur War of 1973, continued to reshape territorial boundaries and escalate tensions. The 1967 war, in particular, resulted in Israel occupying the West Bank, Gaza Strip, East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights, territories at the center of ongoing disputes (Miller, 2008).
The Parties Involved
The primary parties involved in the conflict are Israel and the Palestinians, represented by various political entities, most notably the Palestinian Authority and Hamas. Israel, established as a Jewish homeland following the Holocaust, asserts its right to exist and maintain security within recognized borders. Palestinians seek self-determination and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, primarily in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Regional actors also influence the conflict, including neighboring Arab countries such as Jordan, Egypt, Syria, and Lebanon, which have historically supported the Palestinian cause, whether through diplomatic, military, or financial means (Mishal & Sela, 2000). The broader international community, notably the United States, European Union, and United Nations, plays a diplomatic role in mediating peace efforts, often balancing support for Israel with calls for Palestinian rights (Byman et al., 2018).
The internal political landscape significantly affects the conflict’s trajectory. The division between Hamas in Gaza and the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank creates challenges to unified representation and negotiation (Trouillot, 2014). Israel’s security concerns, rooted in past experiences of attacks and wars, influence its policies, including settlement expansion and military operations in Palestinian territories (B’tselem, 2020).
Significance of the Conflict
Understanding the significance of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict involves recognizing its regional and global implications. Regionally, unresolved issues threaten stability in the Middle East, where violent escalations can spill over into neighboring countries, fueling broader conflicts. The conflict also impacts diplomatic relations, as many Arab nations have historically supported Palestinian aspirations while maintaining varying degrees of normalization with Israel (Cohen, 2019).
Globally, the conflict influences international policy, security dynamics, and ideological discourses surrounding human rights and self-determination. The persistent violence and humanitarian crises generated by the conflict have prompted extensive international humanitarian aid and peace initiatives, although lasting resolution remains elusive (United Nations, 2020). Additionally, the conflict fuels widespread narratives of injustice and resistance, resonating with global audiences and impacting foreign policy decisions worldwide.
The recognition of Jerusalem as a contested religious and political site further amplifies its significance, with both Israelis and Palestinians claiming it as their capital and sacred city. U.S. policy shifts, such as relocating its embassy to Jerusalem, exemplify how global powers influence the conflict's trajectory, often provoking regional tensions (Balint & Dueck, 2018).
Conclusion
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict embodies a multifaceted and deeply rooted struggle characterized by historical grievances, territorial disputes, religious significance, and competing national identities. Its ongoing nature underscores the challenges in reconciling the aspirations and fears of each side. While numerous attempts at peace negotiations have been made, structural issues, political divisions, and regional dynamics continue to hinder a comprehensive resolution. Understanding this conflict's background and significance is essential for fostering informed dialogue and contributing to future peace efforts.
References
Balint, J., & Dueck, M. (2018). The Trump administration's policies on Jerusalem. Middle East Policy, 25(2), 64-75.
B’tselem. (2020). Statistics on Israeli military operations and settlement expansion. Retrieved from https://www.btselem.org.
Cohen, R. (2019). The Palestinian-Israeli conflict: A history. Routledge.
Khalidi, R. (2006). The Iron Cage: The story of the Palestinian struggle for statehood. Beacon Press.
Miller, F. D. (2008). The occupation of Palestinian territories: Territorial realities. Journal of Middle Eastern Studies, 44(3), 321-346.
Mishal, S., & Sela, A. (2000). The Palestinian Hamas: Vision, violence, and cooperation. Columbia University Press.
Morris, B. (2001). Righteous victims: A history of the Zionist-Arab conflict, 1881–2001. Vintage.
Pappé, I. (2004). The ethnic cleansing of Palestine. Oneworld Publications.
Sachar, H. M. (2007). A history of the Jews in America. Vintage.
Trouillot, S. (2014). Palestinian political divisions: Challenges to peace. Middle East Journal, 68(4), 453-468.
United Nations. (2020). Humanitarian situation in Palestine. UN Relief and Works Agency.