Long-Running Dispute between Israel and Palestine

In the heart of the Middle East, the Israel-Palestine conflict has been a long-standing issue, marked by complexities and decades of strife.

The history of Jerusalem, considered sacred by Jews, Christians, and Muslims, dates back to 1187 when Saladin's Muslim army conquered the city, marking a new era in its history. However, Jerusalem surrendered to conquerors as early as 597 BC, but the Israelite spirit remained indomitable.

In AD 70 and AD 135, Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans, with its Jewish inhabitants scattered across distant lands. The city remained under the Ottoman Empire's dominion from 1517 until 1917, when the British Mandate for Palestine assumed control, overseeing the region until 1948. In that year, the State of Israel was declared, marking the beginning of armed conflict and widespread Palestinian displacement, known as the Nakba.

The Israel-Arab conflict persisted through multiple wars, including the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, the 1967 Six-Day War, and the 1973 Yom Kippur War. The Balfour Declaration, a statement of support for a "national home for the Jewish people" in Palestine, was issued by the British government in 1917.

In 1973, Mujama al-Islamiya, the precursor to HAMAS, was founded in Gaza as a religious charity. HAMAS, an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood, emerged in 1987 during the first Palestinian uprising with a commitment to armed resistance against Israel and the aspiration for an Islamic Palestinian state.

The Oslo Accords in the 1990s established a framework for negotiations, and the idea of a two-state solution emerged, with Israel and a future Palestinian state coexisting side by side. However, issues such as Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank, the status of East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip's dire humanitarian situation continue to contribute to the conflict's intractability.

Clashes between Israeli security forces and Palestinians in East Jerusalem and Gaza have sparked violence and periodic escalations. Despite these challenges, hope for a peaceful resolution persists among civil society organizations, activists, and peacebuilders on both sides.

International organizations, governments, and regional powers continue to exert diplomatic efforts in pursuit of a just and lasting peace. The international community, including the United Nations, the United States, the European Union, and neighbouring Arab states, has been involved in various peace efforts.

In a region marked by turmoil and division, the pursuit of a peaceful resolution to the Israel-Palestine conflict remains a beacon of hope for a more stable and harmonious future. The key lies in continued diplomatic efforts, a commitment to dialogue and cooperation, and a recognition of the legitimate aspirations and rights of both Israelis and Palestinians.