Israel–Palestine Conflict: History, Demands, and India’s Role

• The Israel–Palestine conflict is one of the most enduring and complex disputes in modern history, rooted in competing claims over land, sovereignty, religion, and national identity. What began in the early 20th century as a clash between Jewish and Arab nationalist aspirations has today become a multilayered struggle involving regional and global actors. 
•  The conflict has witnessed cycles of violence, fragile ceasefires, and failed peace initiatives, making it central to West Asian geopolitics and a matter of international concern.

Historical Background

Creation of Israel and the First Arab–Israeli War

• The origins of the conflict lie in the late 19th century, when Jewish immigration to Palestine increased under the influence of the Zionist movement. This inflow led to tensions with the local Arab population.
  
• In 1917, Britain issued the Balfour Declaration, supporting a “national home for the Jewish people” in Palestine, then part of the Ottoman Empire.
  
• Following the Holocaust and World War II, global sympathy for Jews grew. In 1947, the UN proposed partitioning Palestine into Jewish and Arab states, with Jerusalem as an international city. Jewish leaders accepted the plan, but Arab leaders rejected it.
  
• On 14 May 1948, Israel declared independence, leading to a war with neighboring Arab states. The conflict displaced around 700,000 Palestinians (the “Nakba” or catastrophe) and established the foundation of the Arab–Israeli rivalry.
  

Rise of Palestinian Resistance and Hamas

• For decades, Palestinians lived under refugee conditions, with the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) leading the movement for a homeland.
  
• In the late 1980s, during the First Intifada (1987–93), Hamas, an Islamist movement, emerged as a rival to Fatah and gained popularity as a resistance force. Initially tolerated by Israel as a counterbalance to the PLO, Hamas later became Israel’s main adversary.
  

Oslo Accords and the Second Intifada

• The Oslo Accords (1993–95) marked the first major breakthrough, creating the Palestinian Authority (PA) and granting limited autonomy in parts of Gaza and the West Bank. However, mistrust and violence stalled the peace process.
  
• The Second Intifada (2000–05) saw intensified violence, with Hamas spearheading suicide bombings and rocket attacks, while Israel carried out military reprisals.
  

Gaza Takeover and Blockade

• In 2006, Hamas won legislative elections, defeating Fatah. In 2007, it seized control of Gaza, while Fatah retained the West Bank.
  
• Israel and Egypt imposed a blockade on Gaza, citing security concerns. The blockade has since caused humanitarian crises, fueling resentment among Palestinians.
  

Cycles of Conflict and Ceasefires

• Major wars between Israel and Hamas include:
  
  • Operation Cast Lead (2008–09)
    
  • Operation Pillar of Defense (2012)
    
  • Operation Protective Edge (2014)
    
  • 2021 Jerusalem clashes, linked to evictions in Sheikh Jarrah and tensions at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, escalated into an 11-day conflict.
    

Current Escalation (2023)

• On 7 October 2023, Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, firing thousands of rockets and infiltrating border areas.
  
• Israel responded with massive airstrikes on Gaza and prepared for a ground invasion.
  
• The fighting resulted in thousands of casualties and immense destruction in Gaza, once again highlighting the intractability of the conflict.
  

Important Geographies Linked to the Conflict

• Al-Aqsa Mosque / Temple Mount: A holy site revered by Muslims, Jews, and Christians, often a flashpoint for tensions.

• Sheikh Jarrah: A neighborhood in East Jerusalem symbolizing Palestinian displacement and contested land rights.

• West Bank: A landlocked territory occupied by Israel since 1967; dotted with Jewish settlements, it remains the core of the statehood dispute.

• Gaza Strip: A densely populated enclave controlled by Hamas, under blockade since 2007.

• Golan Heights: Captured by Israel from Syria in 1967 and annexed in 1981, later recognized by the US as Israeli territory in 2017.

Demands of the Two Sides

Israel’s Position

• Recognition of Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state.
  
• Security guarantees and an end to militant violence.
  
• Retention of Jerusalem as its “eternal and undivided” capital.
  
• Continued control or oversight of key settlements and strategic territories.
  

Palestine’s Position

• Establishment of an independent state in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem (territories occupied in 1967).
  
• End of Israeli occupation, settlements, and the Gaza blockade.
  
• East Jerusalem as the Palestinian capital, with access to holy sites.
  
• Recognition of the right of return or compensation for Palestinian refugees.
  

Repercussions for India

Trade and Defense Ties:

• Israel is a key defense supplier to India (missiles, UAVs, radar systems). A prolonged conflict may disrupt supply chains.
  

Diplomatic Balancing:

• India has historically supported Palestine while building strong ties with Israel. Escalation complicates India’s diplomacy in West Asia.
  

Energy Security:

• West Asia is vital for India’s oil and gas imports. Regional instability can affect India’s energy supplies and economy.
  

Indian Expatriates:

• Millions of Indians live and work in Gulf countries. Any regional escalation threatens their safety and remittances.
  

India’s Stand

• Historical Support for Palestine: India opposed the 1947 UN partition plan and was among the first to recognize the PLO (1974) and Palestinian statehood (1988).
  
• Engagement with Israel: India recognized Israel in 1950 but established full diplomatic ties only in 1992. Since then, cooperation has grown in defense, agriculture, and technology.
  
• Balanced Policy (“De-hyphenation”): Since 2018, India treats ties with Israel and Palestine as separate tracks under its “Link West” policy.
  
• UN Voting Record: India has often supported Palestine in the UN, but occasionally abstained on resolutions critical of Israel.
  
• Present Approach: Advocates a negotiated settlement through dialogue, supports the two-state solution, and works with international partners like the UN Quartet.
  

Possible Solutions

1. The Two-State Solution (Most Widely Supported)

• Envisions Israel and Palestine coexisting as two independent states within mutually agreed borders.
  
• Challenges: Expansion of Israeli settlements, fragmented Palestinian leadership (Fatah–Hamas split), security concerns, lack of trust, and external interference.
  

2. Alternative Models

• One-State Solution: A single bi-national state with equal rights for Jews and Arabs. Risk: threatens Israel’s Jewish identity.
  
• Confederation Model: Two states with shared institutions for security, economy, and resources.
  
• International Trusteeship: Temporary governance by an international body until both sides can agree on a solution.
  

Conclusion

The Israel–Palestine conflict is not merely a territorial dispute but a deeply entrenched clash of identities, religions, and historical grievances. While the two-state solution remains the most viable path to peace, political divisions, mutual distrust, and external influences continue to block progress. For India, the conflict poses strategic and diplomatic challenges, demanding a careful balance between moral support for Palestine and pragmatic ties with Israel. Ultimately, sustained dialogue, compromise, and international mediation are the only realistic avenues to a durable resolution.