Origins of the Dispute Over Israel and Jerusalem
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is one of the Middle East’s most complex, long-term conflicts. The United Nations Partition Plan began this conflict in 1947 by dividing the British Mandate of Palestine into the Jewish and Arab states. This activated an influx of Jewish people into the region, subsequently leading to the declaration of the state of Israel in 1948. This situation naturally led to a conflict between the Jewish and Arab populations in the region and the establishment of the West Bank and Gaza Strip territories.
Stakeholders in the Conflict and Their Objectives
The ancient city of Jerusalem, thanks to its long and complex history, was at the center of the conflict. Both the Israelis and Palestinians claim Jerusalem as their capital. Both groups have repeatedly tried to take control of the city since the end of the 1967 Arab-Israeli War.
The Palestinians argued that the city should belong to them because of their historical and cultural ties to the area. At the same time, the Israelis cited that the city has been under Israeli control since 1967. This conflict was never fully resolved, and the dispute about the city’s ownership has not subsided for the present.
The Role of Space and Place in the Israeli–Palestinian Conflict
The dispute over Israel and Jerusalem is an example of how communities of people assert their identity through belonging to a particular space and place. The Palestinians perceive Israeli settlement policies in the area as an attempt to expel them from the territory. The conflict has also been shaped by the two sides’ different religious and cultural backgrounds. Both Israelis and Palestinians consider Jerusalem sacred in the context of their religion, and this justifies their claims.
Despite the fact that there are currently no heavy battles for the city, its status still needs to be determined. The resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is difficult to achieve since both nations involved in it have inhabited a compact territory for centuries and divided it among themselves. The intervention of third parties initiated the conflict, and in many ways, it is still supported by their commitment to one side or another.