Both Jews and Muslims have strong religious ties to Israel dating back about 4,000 years to Avraham who was the father of both religions. In 1,000 BCE King Saul established the Israel monarchy which continued under King David. The construction of the Beit Hamikdash became part of the Jewish claim to the land of Israel. Since then Israel has been ruled by various groups including Persians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Egyptians, and many more who called the region Palestine. During these rulings, Jews were exiled.
In Europe, Jews faced oppression and persecution so in the 1880s, Jews migrated back to Israel, which was under Ottoman rule and called Palestine. By 1914 there were more than 75,000 Jews in the area. After World War 1, Britain took control of Palestine, and Jordan from the Ottomans. In 1922, the League of Nations approved Britain’s declaration of promising a national home for the Jewish people in Palestine.
After World War 2 the UN split Palestine into two countries, the Jewish state of Israel and the Arab state of Palestine. Israel agreed to the partition but Arab residents were not happy with it. As a result, violence unfolded.
Israel was declared a state on May 14, 1948. Immediately, the Arab League attacked Israel because they rejected the partitions. Israel won the War of Independence and as a result, Egypt took control of the Gaza Strip, and Jordan took control of the West Bank. The original plan for a two-state solution was scrapped. After the war, many Arabs fled from their homes and went to the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
In the 1967 Six-Day War, Israel was attacked by neighboring Arab countries. Israel won the war and claimed the Gaza Strip, the Sinai peninsula, the Golan heights, and the West Bank. This war may have only lasted 6 days but it redrew the Middle East.
After the First Intifada, the Oslo accords were signed by Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization, Palestinians were given the right to self-govern while Israel would control Jerusalem. This led ultimately to the creation of a Palestinian state alongside Israel. The historic handshake between Israeli between Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and PLO chairman Yasser Arafat on the White House lawn in 1993 symbolized a moment of optimism.
However, the Second Intifada was caused by Ariel Sharon, who would become Israel’s prime minister, when he visited the Temple Mount, which Palestinians thought was offensive. Violent protests, attacks, and suicide bombings broke out. This Intifada lasted five years and got rid of any peace that may have happened because of the Oslo Accords.
The withdrawal of Israel from Gaza represented a significant push for peace. This initiative demonstrated Israel’s commitment to a peaceful resolution and a two-state solution. It was a particularly heartbreaking moment in Israeli history as the IDF had to forcibly remove Israeli families from their homes where they had lived their entire lives.
In 2006, The Palestinian government became corrupt and the Palestinians elected Hamas as their new government and hasn’t held elections since. Many countries view Hamas as a terrorist group because of their corrupt rule and their calling for the destruction of Israel. Hamas and Israel continue to clash.
In 2017 Hamas called for the formation of a Palestinian state without recognizing Israel as a state. Because of this, Israel refuses. Many countries have suggested a two-state solution. However, a peaceful solution has yet to be achieved.
