A Brief Longest History of War and Conflict in Palestine: Where World Leaders Failed? What World Leaders Should Do Now?

1. Introduction
   The conflict over Palestine is one of the longest-running and most complex disputes in modern history. Rooted in overlapping claims to land, identity, religion, and political sovereignty, it has shaped Middle Eastern politics and affected global diplomacy for more than a century. Understanding this conflict requires tracing its historical evolution rather than viewing it as a single or sudden war.
2. Historical Background (Before 1947)

2.1 Ottoman Rule
For centuries, Palestine was part of the Ottoman Empire. The population consisted mainly of Arab Muslims and Christians, with a smaller Jewish presence. Communities lived under imperial administration without modern national borders.

2.2 British Mandate Period (1917–1948)

After World War I, the Ottoman Empire collapsed and Britain took control of Palestine under a League of Nations mandate.

• Balfour Declaration (1917): Britain supported the establishment of a “national home for the Jewish people” in Palestine.
• Jewish immigration increased, especially due to persecution in Europe.
• Tensions grew between Jewish immigrants and Arab Palestinians over land and political rights.
  This period saw frequent unrest and laid the groundwork for future wars.

1. Partition and the First Arab–Israeli War (1947–1949)

3.1 UN Partition Plan (1947)
The United Nations proposed dividing Palestine into:

• One Jewish state
• One Arab state
• Jerusalem under international control

Jewish leaders accepted the plan; Arab leaders rejected it, arguing it was unjust to the Arab majority.

3.2 1948 War:
After Israel declared independence in 1948, neighboring Arab states intervened. Israel emerged victorious and expanded beyond the UN-proposed borders.

Consequences:
Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians became refugees

• Israel became an established state
• The Palestinian state envisioned by the UN did not materialize

This event is known as the Nakba (“catastrophe”) in Palestinian history.

4. Major Wars and Uprisings

4.1 Six-Day War (1967)
Israel fought Egypt, Jordan, and Syria and captured:

• West Bank
• Gaza Strip
• East Jerusalem
• Golan Heights

This war placed millions of Palestinians under Israeli occupation and remains central to the conflict today.

4.2 Intifadas (1987–1993, 2000–2005):
Popular Palestinian uprisings against occupation, involving protests, strikes, and clashes.

Outcomes:

• Global attention to Palestinian grievances
• Increased militarization
• Deepened mistrust on both sides

1. Peace Efforts and Failures

5.1 Oslo Accords (1993–1995)
Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) recognized each other and agreed on limited Palestinian self-rule.

Limitations:

• Key issues (borders, refugees, Jerusalem) were postponed
• Expansion of Israeli settlements continued
• Mutual accusations of violations weakened trust

5.2 Continued Cycles of Violence:
Periodic wars in Gaza, breakdowns in negotiations, and political divisions among Palestinians further complicated peace efforts.

6. International Dimension
   The Palestine conflict involves:

• Regional powers
• Global actors like the United States, United Nations, and European Union
• Religious significance for Muslims, Christians, and Jews

Despite many resolutions, enforcement has been limited.

7. Humanitarian and Global Impact

• Long-term displacement and statelessness
• Economic hardship and restricted development
• Global polarization and protests
• Ongoing debate over international law and human rights.

Where World Leaders Failed (Summary):

1. Colonial injustice without local consent
2. Double standards in international law
3. Failure to enforce UN resolutions
4. Ignoring power imbalance in peace talks
5. Allowing settlement expansion
6. Politicizing human rights
7. Treating symptoms, not root causes.

What World Leaders Should Do Now:
For Establishment of a Palestinian State-

1. Immediate Recognition of Palestine:

• Recognize Palestine as a sovereign state based on:
  • Pre-1967 borders
  • East Jerusalem as capital
  Recognition should not be conditional.

1. Enforce International Law Equally:
   Enforce UN resolutions on:

• Occupation
• Settlements
• Civilian protection
• No country should be above international law.

1. End Illegal Settlements:

• Immediate freeze and rollback of settlements
• International monitoring mechanism

1. End Gaza Blockade with Security Guarantees:

• Lift blockade
• Allow humanitarian access
• International peacekeeping force if needed

1. Genuine Peace Talks with Guarantees:
   Talks must include:

• Borders
• Jerusalem
• Refugees
• Security
• Clear timelines and enforcement mechanisms

1. Palestinian Political Unity:

• Support democratic Palestinian leadership
• Encourage unity between Gaza and West Bank under civilian rule

1. Economic & Institutional Support:
   At this moment, to save the nation, the state should build:

• Independent economy
• Judicial system
• Security institutions
• Aid should empower, not control.

Final Reflection
The Palestinian issue is not just a regional conflict rather it is a test of global moral leadership.

“Peace failed not because it was impossible, but because justice was postponed.”

A lasting solution requires courage, consistency, and equality in applying international law—not silence, bias, or delay.

8. Conclusion
   The war history of Palestine is not a single conflict but a century-long struggle shaped by colonial decisions, wars, occupation, failed diplomacy, and unresolved political rights. Sustainable peace requires historical understanding, mutual recognition, respect for international law, and genuine commitment to justice and coexistence.