The History of the Zionist-Arab Conflict (1881-1998)

The Zionist-Arab conflict has been one of the most enduring and complex conflicts of modern history. Spanning from 1881 to 1998, it has shaped the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East and has had far-reaching repercussions affecting the lives of millions of people. This article delves into the historical background, key events, and major turning points of this conflict, providing a comprehensive overview of its evolution over nearly a century.

Origins of the Zionist Movement

The roots of the Zionist-Arab conflict can be traced back to the late 19th century when Jewish intellectuals and leaders began advocating for the establishment of a Jewish homeland. The rise of anti-Semitism in Europe and the desire to create a safe haven for Jews catalyzed the Zionist movement, led by figures such as Theodor Herzl and Chaim Weizmann. Their efforts eventually resulted in the Balfour Declaration of 1917, which expressed British support for the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine.

Arab Nationalism and Opposition

As the Zionist movement gained momentum, Arab nationalism also started to emerge. The local Arab population in Palestine and surrounding regions expressed their opposition to the idea of Jewish immigration and the potential creation of a Jewish state. Arab leaders and intellectuals like Haj Amin al-Husseini voiced their concerns about the potential displacement of Arab communities and the loss of their political and cultural rights.

Righteous Victims: A History of the Zionist-Arab Conflict, 1881-1998

by Benny Morris(Reprint Edition, Kindle Edition)

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British Mandate for Palestine

Following World War I, the League of Nations granted Britain the mandate to administer Palestine. The British faced the arduous task of balancing the conflicting demands of Jews and Arabs and ensuring their own strategic interests in the region. However, their policies often favored Jewish immigration, leading to heightened tensions with the Arab population. In response, the Arab riots of 1920, 1921, and 1929 further escalated the conflict.

UN Partition Plan and War of 1948

With the end of World War II and the Holocaust, international sympathy for Jewish refugees increased, leading to the United Nations proposing a partition plan for Palestine in 1947. The plan aimed to divide the land into separate Jewish and Arab states. While the Jewish community accepted the plan, Arab states and Palestinians rejected it, viewing it as unfair and a violation of their rights. Consequently, the 1948 Arab-Israeli War erupted, resulting in Israel's declaration of independence and subsequent Arab-Israeli conflicts.

1967 Six-Day War and Intensification of the Conflict

In 1967, the Six-Day War broke out between Israel and its neighboring Arab states. Israel's stunning victory in the war led to its occupation of the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem—territories that were previously under Jordanian and Egyptian control. This event not only intensified the conflict but also provided the impetus for Palestinian resistance movements, including the rise of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) led by Yasser Arafat.

Peace Processes and Oslo Accords

In the 1990s, efforts were made to initiate a peace process between Israel and the Palestinians. The Oslo Accords of 1993 aimed to establish a framework for Palestinian self-government and an eventual resolution of the conflict. However, despite several rounds of negotiations, the peace process remained fraught with difficulties and issues such as settlements, borders, and the status of Jerusalem, leading to ongoing tensions and periodic outbreaks of violence.

The Zionist-Arab conflict has been marked by a complex web of historical events, mutual grievances, and geopolitical factors. From the origins of the Zionist movement to the multiple wars and peace processes, the conflict has left deep scars on both societies. Understanding the history of this conflict is crucial to comprehending the challenges faced by the region today and ultimately working towards a peaceful resolution that ensures the security and rights of both Israelis and Palestinians.

Righteous Victims: A History of the Zionist-Arab Conflict, 1881-1998

by Benny Morris(Reprint Edition, Kindle Edition)

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	397 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	150 pages

FREE

Righteous Victims, by the noted historian Benny Morris, is a comprehensive and
objective history of the long battle between Arabs and Jews for possession of a land they both call home. It appears at a most timely juncture, as the bloody and protracted struggle seems at last to be headed for resolution.

With great clarity of vision, Professor Morris finds the roots of this conflict in the deep religious, ethnic, and political differences between the Zionist immigrants and the native Arab population of Palestine. He describes the gradual influx of Jewish settlers, which was eventually fiercely resisted by the Arabs during the decades of  British Mandatory government following World War I.

The establishment of the State of Israel in 1947 - 48 gave the Jews a homeland in the wake of the Holocaust, but the ensuing flight of the Palestinian Arabs shattered their society and led to the birth of a festering refugee problem. Morris describes these epic events and the Arab onslaught that followed, as he does each of the subsequent wars (in 1956, 1967, 1973, and 1982 - 85); the Intifada of 1987 - 91, when the Palestinian populace of the West Bank and Gaza Strip rebelled against Israeli rule; and the rise of fundamentalist religious movements on both sides of the barricades. Tracing the successes and failures of politicians, generals, and diplomats in both camps, he regards their actions and plight with accuracy and empathy, drawing on archival materials, memoirs, and secondary works to give a vivid account of each major military encounter--and of the vicissitudes of peace efforts from the post-1948 negotiations through the Camp David (1977 - 79),Oslo (1993 - 95),and Wye River Plantation (1998) accords. Mr. Morris offers sharply etched portraits and illuminating anecdotes about the charismatic leaders who have been the chief protagonists of this contentious history, including Theodor Herzl, Hajj Amin al-Husseini, David Ben-Gurion, Anwar Sadat, and Menachem Begin, to name only a few.

Righteous Victims ends with Mr. Morris's analysis of the current state of play, when the election of Ehud Barak as prime minister (May 1999) has opened the door to a renewal of negotiations between Israel and its Palestinian and Syrian neighbors. As the denizens of the Middle East set out to write the next chapter in this long and difficult struggle, Righteous Victims is essential reading: a monumental work of narration and explication for all who seek to understand the history of the conflict and the prospects for peace.