The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is one of the most complex and enduring disputes in modern history. Rooted in competing nationalist aspirations, territorial claims, and historical grievances, the conflict has shaped the Middle East and drawn international attention for over a century. To understand the events of 2024, it is essential to examine the historical context that underpins this struggle.
The origins of the conflict can be traced back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, during the rise of nationalist movements among both Jews and Arabs. For Jews, Zionism emerged as a response to widespread anti-Semitism and sought the establishment of a homeland in Palestine, which was then part of the Ottoman Empire. For Arabs, the decline of Ottoman rule and growing European influence spurred their own nationalist aspirations, with Palestine viewed as integral to a future Arab state.
Following World War I, Britain gained control of Palestine under a League of Nations mandate, which complicated the situation. The 1917 Balfour Declaration expressed British support for a "national home for the Jewish people" in Palestine, fueling Jewish immigration to the region. However, this increased tensions with the Arab population, who viewed the declaration as a betrayal of their aspirations for self-determination. Clashes between Jewish and Arab communities became more frequent in the 1920s and 1930s, setting the stage for further conflict.
