Israel And Palestine - Part II The Land of Lost Promises of Star, Cross and Crescent

Rajeshwar Dhar  

This Part is about Zionism, Arab and Palestine Nationalism, Balfour Declaration of Creation of Jewish and Arab State, New Regions of Palestine and Israel, Gaza, West Bank, Golan Heights, Subsequent Conflicts and Wars.

Some Insights

• Zionism, a movement for (originally) the Re-establishment and (now) the Development and Protection of a Jewish Nation in what is now, Israel,

• Arab Nationalism, is a Political Ideology asserting that Arabs constitute a Single Nation,

• Palestinian Nationalism, is the National Movement of the Palestinian People that espouses Self[1]Determination and Sovereignty over the Region of Palestine,

• Gaza, A Coastal region on the SE Corner of the Mediterranean, administered by Egypt from 1949, occupied by Israel from 1967, granted autonomy in 1993, administered by the Palestinian National Authority from 1994 with present Population of ~2.4 mn and Area of 365 sqkms,

• West Bank is a Landlocked Territory near the Coast of the Mediterranean Sea in the Levant Region of Western Asia that forms the main bulk of the Palestinian Territories. It is bordered by Jordan and the Dead Sea to the East and by Israel to the South, West and North. A broader region of the modern-day West Bank is assigned to the Arab State, described as ‘The Hill Country of Samaria and Judea’, Population of ~3 mn and Area 5655 sqKms,

• Golan Heights, The Golan Heights are a Rocky Plateau in the Levant Region of Western Asia that was captured by Israel from Syria in the 1967Six-Day War. The International Community, with the exception of Israel and the United States, regards the Golan Heights to be Syrian Territory held by Israel under Military Occupation. The Golan Heights was under Military Administration until the Knesset passed the Golan Heights Law in 1981, which applied Israeli Law to the Territory, Population mere ~ 50000 and area 1800 sqkms,

• Inflexion Point, The Balfour Declaration, issued by the British Government in 1917, Britain's promise for a "National Home for the Jewish people" in Palestine, after Nazi Persecution and the Holocaust during World War II, is cited as whatled Tens of Thousands of Jewish Civilians to Migrate to Palestinian Later.

Last Century Conflicts of Israel and Palestine

Zionist Movement, as the early 1900s British promote Zionist movement for a 'National Home' for Jewish Population : In 1517, the Ottoman Empire conquered the Israel, Palestine and Levant Region, ruling it until the British conquered it in 1917. Following the end of World War I, the region of Palestine was conceded to the British by Ottoman Empire via a mandate from the League of Nations. The Balfour Declaration, issued by the British Government in 1917, announced Britain's promise for a ‘National Home for the Jewish people’ in Palestine and the Promise Appeased the

the Zionist Movement, who believe in a Jewish right to the ‘Land of Jerusalem or Zion’. The region was ruled under the British Mandate for Palestine until 1948, when the Jewish State of Israel was proclaimed in part of the Ancient Land of Israel. This was made possible by the Zionist Movement and its promotion of mass Jewish immigration. The idea of a Jewish homeland in Palestine led to an influx of Jewish immigrants to the region.

1947- 48, Partitioning Palestine into two states, the Arab-Israeli War Begins

Following World War II and the Holocaust, International pressure mounted for the establishment of a Jewish state in Palestine. In February 1947 on advise of The British, United Nations later adopted a resolution to split Palestine into two independent states – The ‘Jewish State’ and An ‘Arab State' with Jerusalem under UN Trusteeship, despite opposition from Palestinian Arabs of the region. Jerusalem, a city with religious significance to Many Religions, would remain under international control administered by the United Nations. This led to the creation of Israel in 1948.The mandate was criticized for not taking into account the wants and needs of the Palestinians who resided in the land and wanted independence Palestinians refused to recognize the resolution and New Violent Conflicts between both Israelis and Palestinians Started.

Hereunder, are Various Major Wars after May15, 1948 Israel Independence Declaration1948, Israel-Arab War

Five Arab States - Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria, attacked Israel after Creation of The State. Palestinians were forced off their lands or fled en masse to what is now Gaza, marking the first large-scale exodus in what would become a decades-long battle over land ownership. Israel, backed by foreign powers, won the war, and the territory was divided into three parts -- Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip. Egypt and Jordan retained control of the Gaza Strip and West Bank, respectively until 1967.

1956, Arab-Israel War

When Jordan and Egypt attacked Israel, resulted in a short-term Israeli occupation of the Gaza. In 1964, however, a new organization, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), was established by Yasser Arafat. It immediately won the support of most Arab League Governments and was granted a seat in the Arab League.

1973 Arab–Israeli War, Jewish Holy Day of Yom Kippur, on Oct 6.1973

Coalition of Arab forces consisting of mainly Egypt and Syria launched a surprise attack against Israel. The war concluded with an Israeli victory, with both sides suffering tremendous casualties

1967 Six Day War

 On June 5 1967 Major War broke out between Israel and its Arab neighbours Egypt, Syria and Jordan. After Six Days of War Israel captured Palestinian Arab Territories of West Bank, East Jerusalem, Gaza, Sinai Peninsula and Syrian Territory of Golan Heights. This War forced a majority of Palestinians to once again become refugees and began a Decades Long Israeli occupation of Palestinian Territories. The status of these occupied territories subsequently became a Major Point of Contention between the Two Sides.

I982 Lebanon War

Israeli government decided to take sides in the Lebanese Civil War, Israel was Successful and most Palestinian militants were defeated within several weeks, Beirut was captured and the PLO headquarters were evacuated to Tunisia in June by Yasser Arafat's decision.

2006 Second Lebanon War

 In July 2006 Hezbollah launched an operation against Israel in an attempt to pressure the country into releasing Lebanese prisoners, killing a number of Israeli soldiers. Israel launched an offensive into southern Lebanon to recover the captured soldiers. The war lasted 34 days but left more than one thousand Lebanese dead and about one million others displaced

1987 First Palestinian Intifada or Uprising

Occurred in their struggle for Self Determination and this ended in Sept 1993 by signing of the Oslo Accords, which recognized Israel Right to Exist in Peace and Rights of Palestine People in Occupied Territories. The Fact is that Each Time War between Israel and Joint Arabs Nations or Palestine, Israel has Emerged Winner and against the Contrarian View, Western Allies and USA have Made Many Attempts to Bring Peace in West Asia but such Peace Processes have been Chiefly Stalled or Rejected by Palestine Authorities and recently by Hamas Authorities !

There have been Various Peace Initiatives from, time to time, as given hereunder, 1973, Geneva Conference

Under Auspicious United Nations Secretary General, with the UnitedStates and the USSR as Co-Chairmen, Henry Kissinger Played Major Role to strengthen the Cease-Fire by accomplishing a disengagement of forces as the ‘essential first step’toward implementation of UN Resolution. Although No Agreement was reached at Geneva but Strong Foundations were laid for Future Peace Processes.

1978, Camp David Accords

Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat witnessed by US President Jimmy Carter that led in the following year to a peace treaty between those two countries and was the first such treaty between Israel and any of its Arab Neighbours.

1979, Egypt Israel Peace Treaty                                                                                                                    Anwar Sadat, President of Egypt, Menachem Begin, Prime Minister of Israel and witnessed by Jimmy Carter, signed the treaty for mutual recognition, cessation of the state of war that had existed since the 1948 Arab–Israeli War, Normalization of Relations and the withdrawal by Israel of its armed forces and civilians from the Sinai Peninsula, which Israel had captured during theSix-DayWarin1967.

1991, Madrid Peace Conference

After 1991 Gulf War, the coalition's victory in the Gulf War opened a new opportunity to advance the peace process hosted by the Government of Spain and co-sponsored by the US and the USSR, The Madrid peace conference was an early attempt by the international community to start a peace process through negotiations involving Israel and the Palestinians, as well as Arab countries including Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan

1993, Oslo Accords

Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, PLO Chief Yasser Arafat witnessed by US President Bill Clinton, The declaration was a major conceptual breakthrough achieved outside of the Madrid framework, which specifically barred foreign-residing PLO leaders from the negotiation process It Recognized Israel's Right to Exist in Peace with the establishment of the Autonomous Governmental Authority, the Palestinian Authority and its Associated Governing Institutions to administer Palestinian Communities in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. It was the first stage of negotiations between Israel and the PLO.

1994, Israel - Jordan Peace Treaty

Jordan King Hussein, Yitzhak Rabin in Presence of Bill Clinton, ended the state of war between the two countries since the 1948 Arab–Israeli War and established Mutual Diplomatic Relations. The treaty also settled land and water disputes, provided for broad cooperation in tourism and trade and obligated both Countries to prevent their territory being used as a staging ground for military strikes by a third Country.

1995, Wye River Memorandum

Signed by then New Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and PLO chairman Yasser Arafat, lack of progress of the peace process after Oslo Accords, led to new negotiations, which produced the Wye River Memorandum, which detailed the steps to be taken by the Israeli government and Palestinian Authority to implement the earlier Interim Agreement of 1995 of Oslo Accords.

2000, Second Camp David Accord

Ehud Barak, Yasser Arafat and Bill Clinton, was held which was aimed at reaching a Final Status Agreement. The summit collapsed after Yasser Arafat did not accept agreement drafted by American and Israeli negotiators. Barak offered the entire Gaza Strip, A Palestinian Capital in a Part of East Jerusalem, 73% of the West Bank (excluding eastern Jerusalem) raising to 90–94% after 10–25 years, and Financial Reparations for Palestinian refugees for Peace. Arafat turned down the offer without making any counter[1]offer.

2001, Taba Summit

The Israeli Negotiation team presented a new map at the Taba Summit in Taba, Egypt. The Israeli Negotiation team presented a new map at the Taba Summit in Taba, Egypt, in January 2001. The proposition removed the Temporarily Israeli Controlled Areas and the Palestinian side accepted this as a basis for further negotiation. But negotiations could not move forward following Change of Political Govt in Israel

Further Road Map for Peace by Quartet

Proposal for Peace was presented by the Quartet of the European Union, Russia, the United Nations and the United States on 17 September 2002 and Goal called for a halt to both Israeli settlement construction and Israeli–Palestinian violence. US Prez George Bush negotiated Peace Process with Israel PM Ariel Sharon and Palestinian Prez. Mahmoud Abbas on in Aqaba in Jordan n June 2003. No Goal has been achieved till date.

Arab Peace Initiative (2002, 2007, 2017)

The Arab Peace Initiative, also, known as the Saudi Initiative, was first proposed by Crown Prince Abdullah of Saudi Arabia at the Beirut Summit (2002). It offered full normalization of relations with Israel, in exchange for the withdrawal of its forces from all the occupied territories, including the Golan Heights, to recognize ‘An Independent Palestinian State with East Jerusalem as its Capital’ in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, as well as a ‘Just Solution’ for the Palestinian Refugees.

The Palestinian Authority led by Yasser Arafat immediately embraced the initiative. His successor Mahmoud Abbas also supported the plan and officially asked U.S. President Barack Obama to adopt it as part of his Middle East policy. Islamist Political Party Hamas, the Elected Government of the Gaza Strip, rejected the plan. The Israeli Government under Successive Govts of Ariel Sharon, Ehud Olmert and Netanyahu later, also, rejected the initiative because it required Israel to withdraw to Pre-June 1967 Borders. Later, Palestinians also Criticized the Israel–United Arab Emirates normalization agreement and another with Bahrain signed in September 2020 calling it–Betrayal.

Current Status – Abraham Accords

Rooted in Spiritual Patriarch of Abraham Religions, these are Bi-lateral Agreements for Arab –Israel Normalization Signed between Israel-UAE and Israel -Bahrain hosted by Trump Administration at White House on 15 Sep 2020 recognizing Israel's Sovereignty and enabling full Diplomatic Relations. Later Jordan, Oman, Morocco, Sudan also Joined the Accords and has been extended to Non-Arab Muslim Countries like Indonesia, Mauritania, Niger and Somalia.

2000, Second Intifada and Creation of Hamas in Gaza

Palestinian forces meanwhile had started Second Intifada which ended in 2005 that led to the Palestinian People's Autonomous control of the West Bank and Gaza. In 2005, Israel disengaged from the Gaza Strip, uprooting its settlements in the region. The following year, Hamas won an election to control the Gaza Strip, knocked out representatives of the PLO. The armed takeover of Gaza by Hamas in 2007 prompted Israel to impose a blockade on Gaza Strip which greatly restricts the movement of people and goods into and out of the area. However, Hamas launching missile attacks on Israel and Israel's massive strikes in Retaliation Continued.

Following Blockades, Israel engaged in Major Large-Scale Military Operations including 22- day-long 2008 'Operation Cast Lead', 8 day Operation 2012 'Pillar of Defense', and 2014 'Operation Protective Edge. Latest, on 7th Oct 23, on Feast of Tabernacles-Sukkot (Open Air Tribe of Nova Music Festival on Shabbat Shalom), there was fieriest incursion against Israel by Hamas, Splinter Group of Palestine Liberation Organization Operating in Gaza Strip, ~1000 Hamas fighters crossed into Israel in early hours from Gaza Strip firing thousands of Rockets and in retaliation Israel declared 'A State of War' with fieriest Air and Ground Strikes.

Latest Reports from Gaza Authorities say ~22000 Palestinians (including ~10000 Children) have been killed, ~60,000 injured and ~10,000 missing under rubble. Israel

Authorities Say, at least ~1800 Deaths and ~6000 others have been wounded in Israel, ~250 abducted taken as hostage and ~50 missing. At West Bank in related conflict ~250 Palestinians killed and ~2500 wounded. Various Countries Journalists Reporters also killed and ~19 Lac refugees of Population of Gaza out of 2.4 Lacs have been displaced. UNRWA (United Nations Relief Works Agency for Palestine) and WHO is providing Relief Work to Suffering Palestinians through Egypt-Gaza Border which is not Sufficient for mounting casualties amidst Shortage of Fuel, Electricity, Fuel, Medical Facilities and Israel Border Blockages. Various Countries of America, EU, Arab Countries, India have sent Aid for suffering Palestinians.

 GOI has been well supporting the Cause of Palestinians and their Right to Exist as an Independent State but has denounced the Dastardly Act of Hamas of Resorting to Terror Ways of attaining Freedom which killed 1500+ Israelis after attack of 7th October, many thousand Israelis injured and the same has been blown out of Proportion by so called Indian Liberals for Pseudo Appeasement. In Latest UNGA India has, once again, voted in favour of Peace for the Halt of This West Asia War and Peaceful Negotiated Settlement.

To conclude, in spite of, so many Peace Processes, No Permanent Settlement of Israel and Palestine with Assigned Territories have been arrived so far. The Palestinians seek to establish their own Independent State in, at least, A Part of Historic Palestine and Israeli has Defence of its Own Territory Borders, Control over the West Bank and Gaza, The Egyptian-Israeli Blockade of the Gaza Strip and Palestinian Internal Politics, currently, has made this Goal for Peace out of Reach. Recent Fieriest Attacks have drawn, again, Worlds Attention on the West Asia Region's Conflict, Prompting Protests around the World, deteriorating further the World Peace and Economic Stability, already reeling Under Ukraine-Russia Conflict – It is True Requiem for Lost Israel and Palestine Genocidal Politics.

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Courtesy:  Rajeshwar Dhar and January 2024, Naad