Why in the News?

• In a recent onslaught, Hamas, the ruling militant group in Gaza, launched a fierce attack on Israel via land, air, and sea, resulting in numerous casualties and reigniting the century-old Israel-Palestine Conflict.
• This has prompted global and regional powers to intervene.
• Israel, which had recently solidified peace agreements with neighboring nations like the UAE and Saudi Arabia, faces potential strain due to this attack.
• Moreover, Israel declared a state of war as Palestinian militants launched a barrage of rockets into the southern and central regions, combining a breach of security barriers and rocket attacks.
• The assault occurred on the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War, with the goal of reclaiming territory lost during the 1967 conflict, prompting the Israel Defense Forces to initiate airstrikes on Hamas targets in Gaza.

What is the History of Israel-Palestine Conflict?

Early phase:

• In the 19th century, the land of Palestine was home to a diverse population, with approximately 86% Muslims, 10% Christians, and 4% Jews, living together in harmony.
• However, in the late 1800s, a European group called the Zionists decided to colonize this land with the aim of establishing a Jewish homeland. Initially, they explored various locations in Africa and the Americas but eventually settled on Palestine.
• The rise of Hitler to power in Europe led to a significant increase in Jewish immigration to Palestine. This influx of Jewish people contributed to the escalation of conflict in the region.

Balfour Declaration:

• The British government issued this historic document in 1917, endorsing the concept of a Jewish homeland in Palestine.
• This declaration triggered a significant increase in Jewish immigration to the region.

Establishment of Palestine:

• As a result of the inability to control the escalating conflict between Arabs and Jews, Britain withdrew its forces from Palestine in 1948.
• This decision transferred the responsibility for resolving the conflicting claims to the newly formed United Nations.
• The UN proposed a partition plan to create independent Jewish and Arab states within Palestine. However, it faced widespread rejection by most Arab nations.

1948 Arab-Israeli Conflict:

• In 1948, the declaration of Israel's independence by the Jewish community led to an attack by neighboring Arab states.
• By the war's end, Israel had gained control of approximately 50% more territory than what the UN partition plan had originally anticipated.

UN Partition Plan:

• In 1947, the United Nations decided to step in, but it didn't adhere to the principle of 'self-determination of peoples.'
• Under significant Zionist influence, the UN proposed allocating 55% of Palestine for a Jewish state.
• This decision was made, despite the fact that the Jewish population represented only around 30% of the total population and owned less than 7% of the land.

1947-1949 Conflict

• Hostilities erupted almost immediately after the approval of the November 1947 Resolution.
• On May 14, 1948, just one day before the expiration of the British Mandate (as Palestine was a British colony), Britain announced the 'establishment of a Jewish State in Eretz-Israel, to be named the State of Israel.'
• This declaration ignited a large-scale conflict known as the 1948 Arab-Israeli War.
• By the war's conclusion, Israel had gained control over 78 percent of Palestine, resulting in the redrawing of the map."

The Suez Crisis of 1956:

• In 1956, Israel, France, and the United Kingdom initiated a military operation against Egypt in response to the nationalization of the Suez Canal.
• In the course of this conflict, Israel gained control of the Sinai Peninsula and the Gaza Strip. However, due to international pressure, these territories were relinquished, and Israel withdrew in 1957.

1967 War - The Six-Day War:

• Often referred to as the Six-Day War, this conflict began with a highly effective surprise attack by Israeli forces on Egypt.
• During this war, Israel took control of the remaining 22% of Palestine that had evaded its grasp in 1948, including the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
• Additionally, Israel occupied parts of Egypt (which were later returned) and still retains control over areas in Syria.

Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO):

• The PLO was established with the goal of liberating Palestine from Israeli control and Jewish dominance while seeking to establish the influence of the Muslim Brotherhood in the Arab world.
• In 1975, the United Nations granted the PLO observer status and acknowledged the right of Palestinians to self-determination.

Camp David Accords (1978):

• The U.S.-brokered 'Framework for Peace in the Middle East' provided the foundation for peace negotiations between Israel and its neighboring countries, aiming to resolve the 'Palestinian problem.'
• Unfortunately, these efforts ultimately went unfulfilled.

The Rise of Hamas:

• In 1987, Hamas was established as a violent offshoot of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood, with the intention of advancing its agenda through armed conflict or 'jihad.'
• The U.S. government has designated Hamas as a terrorist organization.
• Notably, in 2006, Hamas achieved success in the Palestinian Authority's legislative elections.
• Subsequently, in 2007, it ousted Fatah from Gaza, leading to a geographical split in the Palestinian movement.
• The year 1987 also witnessed escalating tensions in the occupied territories of the West Bank and Gaza, resulting in the First Intifada, which evolved into a minor conflict between Palestinian militants and the Israeli army.

The Oslo Accords:

• In 1993, the Oslo Accords marked an agreement between Israel and the PLO to officially acknowledge each other and renounce the use of violence.
• These accords also led to the creation of the Palestinian Authority, which gained limited autonomy in the Gaza Strip and certain areas of the West Bank.
• By 2005, Israel initiated a one-sided withdrawal of Jewish settlements from Gaza, while still maintaining strict control over all border crossings, effectively establishing a blockade.
• In 2012, the United Nations elevated Palestinian representation to that of a 'non-member observer state.

Repeated Clashes and Ceasefires:

• Israel and Hamas have been involved in several significant conflicts, including Operation Cast Lead (2008-2009), Operation Pillar of Defense (2012), and Operation Protective Edge (2014).
• These conflicts resulted in substantial casualties on both sides.
• In 2021, tensions escalated due to Israeli policies in Jerusalem, including the proposed eviction of Palestinian families from Sheikh Jarrah and restrictions on access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.
• In response, Hamas launched rocket attacks on Jerusalem and other Israeli cities, and Israel carried out airstrikes on Gaza.
• These hostilities led to the loss of over 250 Palestinian lives and 12 Israeli lives.
• A ceasefire was eventually brokered by Egypt, with support from the United States and other international parties.

Possible Implications of the Israel-Palestine Conflict on India:

• Trade Relations: An escalation in the conflict might have consequences for India's trade ties with Israel, particularly in critical sectors like defense equipment.
• Israel is a major supplier of defense technology to India, and any disruptions in this trade partnership could impact India's defense capabilities.
• Diplomatic Complexities: India has traditionally pursued a balanced foreign policy approach, maintaining relations with both Israel and Arab nations.
• If the conflict escalates and involves other Arab countries, it could pose diplomatic challenges for India.
• Striking a balance between its ties with Israel and maintaining positive relations with Arab nations could become more intricate.
• Economic and Strategic Links with the Middle East: India's economic and strategic ties with the Middle East have gained significance, especially concerning initiatives like the India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor.
• If the conflict intensifies and includes other regional actors like Hezbollah and Iran, it may lead to instability in the West Asian region, affecting India's interests.
• Energy Supplies: The West Asian region serves as a crucial source of energy imports for India.
• Any disruption in the stability of the region could potentially impact India's energy supply, resulting in economic challenges.
• Welfare of Indian Expatriates: India hosts a substantial expatriate population working in various Middle Eastern countries.
• The safety and well-being of these Indian citizens could be jeopardized if the conflict escalates, making it imperative for India to ensure their protection.

India's Position on the Israel-Palestine Conflict:

• In November 1947, India was one of the few countries that opposed the UN's partition plan, reflecting its own recent experience with independence. In the following decades, India's political leadership actively supported the Palestinian cause and maintained limited diplomatic relations with Israel.

Recognizing Palestine:

• India recognized Israel in 1950, making it one of the first non-Arab countries to do so.
• However, India also holds the distinction of being the first country to recognize the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) as the sole representative of the Palestinian people.
• Moreover, India was among the early nations to recognize Palestine's statehood in 1988.

UNHRC Engagement:

• In 2014, India supported a UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) resolution that aimed to investigate Israel's human rights violations in Gaza.
• Despite endorsing this probe, India abstained from voting against Israel in the UNHRC in 2015.

De-Hyphenation Policy:

• As part of its 'Link West Policy' in 2018, India de-hyphenated its relationship with Israel and Palestine, treating both countries as independent and exclusive partners.

UN Vote on Palestinian NGO:

• In June 2019, India voted in favor of a decision introduced by Israel in the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) that objected to granting consultative status to a Palestinian non-governmental organization.

Balancing Act:

• India has endeavored to maintain its historical image as a moral supporter of Palestinian self-determination while simultaneously engaging in military, economic, and other strategic relations with Israel.

Advocating Peace:

• India firmly advocates dialogue and diplomacy as the only viable means to resolve the Israel-Palestine conflict.
• India also supports the role of the Quartet, composed of the US, Russia, the EU, and the UN, along with other regional and international actors, in facilitating peace talks between Israel and Palestine.

• In recent years, India’s position has also been perceived as pro-Israel.

Potential Solutions for the Israel-Palestine Conflict

• The need for a peaceful solution in the Israel-Palestine conflict is paramount, and it's incumbent on the global community to come together to facilitate it. However, the reluctance exhibited by the Israeli government and other involved parties has only exacerbated the issue. Therefore, adopting a balanced approach is crucial to maintain positive relations with both Arab countries and Israel.
• The Two-State Solution: One of the most broadly endorsed proposals is the two-state solution, which envisions the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state alongside Israel, with mutually agreed and internationally recognized borders.
• This approach seeks to address the fundamental issues at the heart of the conflict, including matters like Jerusalem, refugees, settlements, security, and water resources.
• It has garnered support from numerous global leaders, including countries like India, the United States, and China.
• The Abraham Accords: The recent normalization agreements, such as the Abraham Accords, between Israel and the UAE, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco, signify steps in the right direction.
• It's imperative for all regional powers to envision a peaceful resolution between Israel and Palestine, following the model of the Abraham Accords
• India's Role in Multilateral Organizations: India, in its role within multilateral organizations, should work diligently in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders to achieve security and stability in the Middle East and West Asia.
• With its substantial 90 lakh-strong Indian community in the region and its strategic connectivity to both West Asia and Europe, is well-positioned to engage with all sides in the complex West Asian landscape.
• Having been re-elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council for 2022-24, India should leverage these multilateral platforms to act as a mediator in resolving the Israel-Palestine issue.
• Genuine normalization between Israel and Palestine can only occur when past annexations and other contentious issues are effectively addressed.

Disputed Territories:

• Gaza Strip - Residence to approximately 2 million Palestinians, a significant portion of whom were displaced during or after the War of Independence in Israel.
• West Bank - This area is home to about 3 million Palestinians, primarily comprising Muslim Arabs. It also encompasses several Jewish holy sites that draw thousands of pilgrims annually.
• East Jerusalem - Jerusalem itself stands as a city marked by division and dispute. Following the 1948 Arab-Israeli conflict, it was physically divided into two parts. The western side was administered by Israel, while the eastern section was under Jordanian control. However, Israel seized control of the entire city during the Six-Day War in 1967.