How did Israel and Palestine come to exist?

By David Petersen

The formation of Israel and Palestine is a complex and deeply intertwined story of colonialism, nationalism, conflict, and international diplomacy. It is a story that stretches back to the late 19th century and has roots in religious, cultural, and geopolitical factors. October 7th 2023, Hamas, a Palestinian militant group attacked Israel and in response Israel launched a war on Palestine. A large cause of the conflict relates to the origins of both Israel and Palestine. But how did they both come to exist?

Origins and Early Zionism

In the late 19th century, the rise of nationalism in Europe gave birth to the Zionist movement, founded by Theodor Herzl in 1897. Zionism aimed to establish a Jewish homeland in response to widespread anti-Semitism and persecution. Palestine, then part of the Ottoman Empire, was chosen for its historical and religious significance to Jewish people.

World War I and the Balfour Declaration

During World War I, the Ottoman Empire, which controlled Palestine, was defeated by the Allied Powers. In 1917, the British government issued the Balfour Declaration, expressing support for the establishment of "a national home for the Jewish people" in Palestine. This declaration was controversial, as it seemingly contradicted earlier British promises to Arab leaders for independence in exchange for their support against the Ottomans.

British Mandate and Increased Tensions

After the war, the League of Nations granted Britain a mandate over Palestine. Jewish immigration to Palestine increased, fuelled by the rise of anti-Semitism in Europe, particularly the Holocaust during World War II. This led to growing tensions and violent clashes between Jewish and Arab communities.

Post-World War II and UN Partition Plan

After World War II, the international community grappled with the aftermath of the Holocaust and the plight of Jewish refugees. In 1947, the United Nations proposed a partition plan to create separate Jewish and Arab states, with Jerusalem under international administration. The Jewish community accepted the plan, while the Arab community rejected it, leading to further conflict.

The Creation of Israel and the 1948 Arab-Israeli War

On May 14, 1948, David Ben-Gurion declared the establishment of the State of Israel. The following day, neighbouring Arab states invaded, leading to the first Arab-Israeli war. Israel emerged victorious, expanding its territory beyond the UN partition plan. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians fled or were expelled, leading to a longstanding refugee crisis.

Formation of Palestine

The areas designated for an Arab state in the UN plan—Gaza and the West Bank—came under Egyptian and Jordanian control, respectively. The Palestinian identity and national movement grew stronger over the decades, especially after the Six-Day War in 1967, when Israel occupied these territories. In 1988, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) declared the establishment of the State of Palestine, recognized by many countries and international organizations, but not by Israel or some Western nations.

Ongoing Conflict and Peace Efforts

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains unresolved, characterized by cycles of violence, peace negotiations, and international diplomatic efforts. Key issues include the borders of Israel and Palestine, the status of Jerusalem, security concerns, the rights of Palestinian refugees, and mutual recognition.

Throughout all of the events above there are greater complexities, events and shifts in the political space that may have caused and changed the next stage. Similarly, people have varying opinions to the origins of both Israel and Palestine. The conflict is causing death, destruction, and has a wider impact to the rest of the world. The solution to the conflict has as much to do with their past as it does with their futures.