Palestine and Israel: Just the facts
History of Palestine and Israel:
Despite the huge torrent of headlines in the news concerning the ongoing conflict between Palestine and Israel recently, it didn’t start remotely close to 2023. Instead, the conflict is deeply seated within the intricate history between the two parties. About 100 years ago , Palestine was a part of the Ottoman Empire. When the empire fell in 1918, the territory of Palestine was conceded to the British. During this period, mass Jewish immigration into Palestine was facilitated by the British as promised during the Balfour Declaration of “the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people”, where Palestinian land was handed over to Jewish settlers mostly fleeing Nazism in Europe.
In 1947, Resolution 181, known as the Partition Plan, was adopted by the United Nations, resulting in the division between the British Mandate of Palestine into Arabs and Jews. This led to much violent fighting between the two blocs, of which was won by the Jewish forces which had conquered much of the originally Palestinian land. On May 15, 1948, the State of Israel was formed leading to the first Arab Israeli War in 1949 where Israel took victory. The war saw more than 500 Palestinian towns destroyed by Israeli forces, resulting in 750,000 Palestinians being displaced and about 15,000 being killed, this was referred to as the Nakba (catastrophe), the ethnic cleansing of Palestine. In result, the territory was divided into 78 percent occupied by the State of Israel while the remaining 22 percent into the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip, being two of the Palestinian territories bordering the State of Israel. In 1964, the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO) was formed but in 1967, Israel was able to occupy both Palestinian territories during a Six-Day War, known as the Naksa (setback), resulting in the second forced displacement.
In 1987, the first Palestinian Intifada (resistance movement) took place in the Gaza Strip and led to the establishment of Hamas (the Palestinian nationalist movement against the Israeli occupation). During this time 1,070 Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces while more than 175,000 Palestinians were arrested. The Intifada ended when Oslo Accords (agreements between Israel and PLO) were signed in 1993, and Palestinian Authority (PA) was formed. In result, only 18% was under Palestinian control, 22% was under Palestine and Israel’s control while 60% was under Israel’s control. Nonetheless, the second Intifada began in 2000 and ended in 2005.
In 2007, Israel demanded several types of blockades of the Gaza Strip, accusing Hamas of “terrorism” and this year things escalated as Hamas captured about 240 Israeli hostages, leading to full blown occupation by Israel of the Gaza Strip in said aim for the release of hostages.
The topic of a two-state solution has been in talks ever since its failure in the Partition Plan and Oslo Accords. However, if a two-state solution is to be implemented in the present and for the future of peacekeeping, it will most definitely come with challenges. The challenges include the decision of where the borders will be allocated for a separation of the two blocs fairly as well as the feeling of security and safety that must be assured for all civilians. Furthermore, there are around 7 million Palestinian refugees around the world, hence, with a two-state solution, the right to return millions of refugees to their homeland would have to be considered, which would mean the sacrificing of land by Israel to accommodate Palestinians needs. Nonetheless, the claim of Jerusalem, the holiest city in the world that both Israelis and Palestinians consider their capital, can be a huge challenge in itself, how can the city be visited with people from both blocs agreeing to stay peaceful? Many questions can arise and all we can do is hope for the best possible version of a two-state solution that satisfies both blocs implemented.
The UN’s position & Countries stance:
The UN has been trying its best to find a resolution for this war since Resolution 181 was created in 1947. Per recent events, UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has been vocal about the release of hostages being held in Gaza by Hamas and the need of humanitarian aid to be sent into Gaza, including the urge for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. “I have been clear in my condemnation of the terror attacks by Hamas on 7 October. But I have also been clear that they cannot justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people.” said Antonio. Antonio had also mentioned “The dialogue that led to the release of hostages held by Hamas & Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails must continue. Countries must use their influence for a humanitarian ceasefire & support irreversible steps towards the only sustainable future for the region: a two-state solution.” However, after the pause, the invasion did not stop as Israel continued the attacks.
In the beginning, a total of four meetings of the UN Security Council had been held and only two resolutions were proposed. Both resolutions failed as the first one proposed by Russia calling for a ceasefire could not get enough votes while the second one drafted by Brazil reiterating a ceasefire and humanitarian aid access was vetoed by the US. Recently, on December 8th, the Security Council failed to adopt the resolution presented by the representative of the United Arab Emirates that called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, while 13 out of 15 member states voted in favour, the UK abstained, and the US vetoed it at last. Before the vote, the representative of UAE presenting it said that he had support of 97 member states within 24 hours, followed by the representative of the Russian Federation, who said “that for two months, the Council has failed to fulfil its function due to the hard-headed, selfish and destructive position of the United States, which is doing all it can to protect its ally”. After the vote, the UAE showed its disappointment with the vote while countries like China, Switzerland, Ghana, Japan, Albania, Brazil, Mozambique, and Ecuador voiced similar opinions on their disappointment as well. The representative of the US questioned the lack of mention of Hamas attack on Israel while the UK mentioned the same. With a heavy heart, the Permanent Observer for the State of Palestine stated the fact that “‘this is the moment of truth’, a turning point in history, yet it is beyond regrettable and disastrous that the Council was prevented from upholding its responsibility in the face of this grave crisis threatening lives and regional security.”
On the 12th of December, The President of the General Assembly stated that “Right now, what we are seeing is an onslaught on civilians, the breakdown of humanitarian systems and profound disrespect for both international law and international humanitarian law,”. Furthermore, the General Assembly adopted a resolution demanding immediate humanitarian ceasefire and release of hostages as well as increased humanitarian access and the protection of civilians, with 153 nations in favour, 10 against and 23 abstentions.
Which side needs more help?
Ever since the attack by Hamas on October 7th , according to the Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor, Israel has dropped more than 25,000 tonnes of explosives after announcing a “total blockade” of Gaza Strip, reports Al Jazeera. It is said that Israel has committed war crimes by violating 28 resolutions of the United Nations Security Council as well as the fourth Geneva Convention which mentions the protection of children during armed conflict.
So far at least 18,787 have been killed in Gaza from which 7,729 are children and 5,153 women while at least 50,897 have been injured from which 8,663 are children and 6,327 are women and at least 7,780 are missing. And in the occupied West Bank, 289 have been killed from which at least 65 are children and more than 3,365 have been injured. According to the latest data from the UN’s Office and Palestinian government it is said that Israeli attacks have damaged at least 305,000 residential units, 339 educational facilities (including several of UN schools), 26 out of 35 hospitals, 87 ambulances and 167 places of worship. On the other hand, about 1,200 killed in Israel and 8,730 injured. On the 8th of December UNOCHA was able to send 69 trucks carrying humanitarian supplies from Egypt to Gaza but says the quantity isn’t sufficient to meet the overwhelming needs in Gaza.
The statistics mentioned are subject to change in due time but it shows which side needs more help. From history to the current situation, it all proves that this is a genocide done by Israel for years, which must stop.
We also must acknowledge that there is no room for antisemitism or Islamophobia to be used since not all Jews are for what the IDF is doing and being Muslim doesn’t justify the actions by Hamas either. We must unite and choose peace for all during this tragedy.
What can we do to help?
Donate. If you can donate to an organisation helping the people in need then take that opportunity and donate because even a small amount can make a huge difference. Organisations like Palestine Children Relief Fund, Save the Children and Doctors Without Borders including more are doing so.
Raise awareness. We must do our best by sharing posts and calling for a ceasefire. Palestinian journalists such as Motaz Azaiza, Bisan Owda, Plestia Alaqad, Wael Al Dahdouh and more have been showing the truth while risking their lives by reporting back from their homeland, which many choose not to see.
I would like to share a piece of work I have written to express my feelings towards what’s happening…
The people of Palestine are still distressing,
The loss of so many is deeply disappointing.
When will the world realise that taking away someone’s home is hurtful?
When will the world realise that taking away someone’s childhood is neglectful?
When will the world realise that tearing families apart is like a sin?
When will the world realise that it is not about who will lose or win?
Why is this happening because of their ethnicity?
Don’t they deserve to live with felicity?
[Written by: Shawleen Shairy, Edited By: Teoh Jin]
