The Hindu: Published on 15th August 2025.
Why in News?
The Israel-Palestine conflict has escalated again after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack and Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza.
The war has revived global focus on the two-state solution, but peace efforts remain stalled.
Israel faces accusations of genocide and starvation in Gaza, while more countries are recognizing Palestinian sovereignty.
Historical Background:
Pre-1947: Palestine was under the British Mandate; Jewish and Arab communities lived with rising tensions.
1947: UN proposed partition into a Jewish state, an Arab state, and international control over Jerusalem. Jews accepted, Arabs rejected.
1948: Israel declared independence → First Arab-Israeli War → Israel expanded territory beyond UN plan; ~7.5 lakh Palestinians displaced (Nakba).
1967 (Six-Day War): Israel captured West Bank, Gaza, East Jerusalem, Sinai, and Golan Heights. Palestinians lost almost all their historic land.
Key Issues:
Borders: Palestinians demand statehood on 1967 borders (West Bank, Gaza, East Jerusalem), Israel rejects.
Jerusalem: Holy city for Jews, Muslims, Christians → both claim it as capital.
Refugees: Millions of Palestinians demand “Right of Return”; Israel fears demographic imbalance.
Settlements: Continuous expansion of Jewish settlements in the West Bank erodes viability of a Palestinian state.
Leadership Divide: West Bank (Fatah) vs Gaza (Hamas) weakens Palestinian unity.
Security Concerns: Israel cites terror threats from Hamas & militant groups to resist concessions.
Peace Attempts and Failures:
1978 Camp David Accord: Egypt-Israel peace; Palestine issue sidelined.
1988: Arafat declared State of Palestine; recognized by 100+ countries.
1993 Oslo Accords: Mutual recognition; limited autonomy in West Bank & Gaza → assassinated PM Rabin + rise of Hamas derailed progress.
2000 Camp David Summit: Failed over Jerusalem & refugees.
2005 Gaza Disengagement: Israel withdrew troops but imposed blockade later.
Post-2007: Fatah-Hamas split → fragmented Palestinian representation.
Current Situation:
Israel’s right-wing leadership, especially Benjamin Netanyahu, openly rejects a two-state solution.
Gaza War worsens humanitarian crisis and deepens hostility.
Palestinians remain stateless — West Bank under partial occupation, Gaza under blockade, East Jerusalem annexed.
International community divided: some Western nations back Israel, while others (including Global South & some European states) increasingly recognize Palestine.
Impact:
- On Palestinians: Continued displacement, loss of land, humanitarian crises, restricted sovereignty.
- On Israel: Security threats, international criticism, rising isolation in global forums.
- On West Asia: Regional instability, proxy wars, growing polarization (Iran, Hezbollah, Arab public opinion vs US-Israel alliance).
- On World Politics: Palestine issue fuels anti-West sentiment, strengthens global calls for decolonization and justice.
Future Outlook:
Two-State Solution (1967 Borders): Internationally supported, but Israel resists; prospects weakening due to settlements.
One-State Solution: Equal rights for Jews & Arabs in one state — resisted by Israel fearing loss of Jewish majority.
Status Quo: Continued occupation, violence, humanitarian crises → highly unsustainable.
October 7 Effect: Re-centered Palestine issue in global diplomacy, but also hardened Israel’s stance.
Conclusion:
A Palestinian state does not exist today because of a mix of historical displacement, failed peace processes, territorial occupation, settlement expansion, leadership divides, and international politics. The core issues of borders, Jerusalem, refugees, and settlements remain unresolved. Unless addressed, durable peace in West Asia will remain elusive.
