Palestine Issue

                                                             

Introduction:

Palestine issue manifests the deprivation of Muslims' right of self-determination. Gaza ,Israel and West Bank were once known as Palestine. The conflict between Jews of Israel and Palestinians after World War 2  led to several wars but none of them gave Muslims rights of sovereign and independent state rather clashes over religion ,borders and territory soared over the period of time.

The history of Jews is no better. Anti-Semitism across the world alienated Jews ,they were considered money grabbers and racially polluted therefore they migrated to Middle East and South East Asia in search of adequate living. Zionist movement of Jews started in Palestine since 1820.

In 1897 first Zionist Congress was convened by Theodor Herzl at Basel, Switzerland and Zionist organization was founded .Tel Aviv ,Palestine morphed into first modern city in 1909 and state of Israel has been forcefully imposed on Palestinians in 1948.

Balfour Declaration:

The Jewish demand of separate homeland was approved by British in 1917.Four hundred years of Ottoman Empire was ended by British. Balfour pledged support for establishment of 'Jewish National Home" in Palestine. British granted mandate to govern Palestine in 1923. Zionism got sympathy after Hitler's pogrom of Jews during 1930s that resulted influx of Jews into Palestine.

Partition of Palestine:

British mandate of governing Palestine ended after World War 2 ,1945.United Nations voted for partition of Palestine into 

•  Jewish State
• Arab State
• International Zones 

Arab rejected the idea of UN ,British withdrew from Palestine and Jewish National Council proclaimed the state of Israel on May 14,1948.

Law of Return 1948:

Israel announced in 1948 return of  all Jews across the world to Israel and it will own them and provide citizenship. Therefore Jews from every corner of the globe thronged into nascent Israel.

Expansion of Israel in a cascade of Wars:

State of Israel was announced and recognized by USA, France  and Soviet Union in haste. British abstained.

1-Arabs Vs Israel War of 1948:

Arabs joined heads together and declared war against Israel. Iraq, Syria, Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon attacked Israel and remained unsuccessful. The futile attempt of Arabs let Israel hold 50% more territory than what UN had partitioned. UN intervened to cease fire and allowed Egypt to hold Gaza strip, Jordan controlled West Bank and Jerusalem's old city. Palestinians found themselves refugees and people were struck out from Israel held regions.

2-Egypt Vs Israel War on Suez Canal 1956:

Suez Canal flows from Mediterranean sea to Red sea. Egypt nationalized Suez canal in 1956 and barred Israel shipping. Enraged Israel seized Gaza strip and drove through Sinai to east bank of Suez canal but withdrew due to US and UN's pressure.

3-Arab-Israel War 1967:

Israel defeated Egypt ,Syria, Jordan and annexed the territories of East Jerusalem, Golan Heights, West Bank, Gaza Strip ,Sinai Peninsula and expanded 200% .

UNSC Resolution 242:

United Nation Security Council presented the "Land for Peace Formula" and asked Israel to withdraw all the troops, occupied land and get back to recognized boundaries.

4-Egypt Vs Israel War of Attrition 1969:

Egyptian President Jamal Nassar started war of attrition with Israel along Suez Canal both Egypt and Israel were not victorious  and 1970 UN cease fire was declared.

5-Egypt/Syrian assault on Israel 1973:

Egypt and Syria attacked Israel on Jewish holy day of "Yom Kippur". Israel did suffer heavy losses but UNSC Cease fire article 338 approved.

Peace Initiatives to resolve Palestine Issue

1-Camp David Accord 1978:

This agreement was signed in White House, USA between President Anwar Sadat of Egypt and PM Menacham of Israel under the mediation of US President Jimmy Carter. Egypt was the first Arab country to recognize Israel. Under this agreement Israel to give Sinai Peninsula back to Egypt. Later Anwar Sadat was assassinated.

2-Oslo Accord 1993

Yasser Arafat from Palestinian Liberation Organization and Israeli Yitzhak Rabin came together on peace agreement in which Israel's right to existence was ensured and Israel should cede control of Palestinians territories to Palestinians.

 3-Second Round of Camp David Accord 2000:

Negotiations failed as Palestinian Leader Yasser Arafat failed to answer the questions of Americans to conclude a truce agreement.

4-Quartet Peace Plan 2002:

EU ,Russia and US proposed a peace plan and a roadmap to resolve Palestine issue but failed.

5-Saudi Peace Plan 2007:

Crown Prince Abdullah presented a proposal of Palestinian Independent State with East Jerusalem as capital and gave"Just Solution" for refugees in West Bank and Gaza Strip.

 Palestine Issue the bone of Contention:

There is still an ongoing disclosure on formation of two states ,one for Palestine, other for Israel and the boundary between the two is controversial. Another school of thought opts one state solution where Israel would merge Israel with West Bank ,Gaza Strip into a big country. Creation of single democratic country is favored by Leftists and Palestinians because Arab Muslims will outnumber Jews.

Rightists and Israelis want to annex West Bank and seize Palestinians right to vote. Israelis started settling in Palestinian territories often criticized by International community. UN passed a resolution in 2016 against illegal Israeli settlement in Palestinian territory but Israel gives a blind eye and deaf ear.

Controversial Status of Jerusalem:

Jerusalem is sacred for all three faiths i.e Islam ,Judaism and Christianity. It is important for Muslims because of Masjid-e-Aqsa mosque-the old prostration of Muslims. The site for Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) night journey to heaven. Christians also have religious sentiments with this city due to Church of Holy Sepulcher-site where  Jesus was crucified. This city is revered by Jews due to Temple Mount.

Jews want to demolish Al Aqsa mosque, restrict Muslims access to it and build a third temple. UNESCO in 2016 presented a report and lambasted Israeli activities in holy city of Jerusalem. UNSC in December,2016 presented a report to end Israelis settlement in Jerusalem. President Obama supported this cause.

New Israel Law:

Knesset ,the unicameral national legislature of Israel called Israel "National Home of Jewish people". Some people call this law a racist and apartheid. Under this law

• Arabic is downgraded to Hebrew.
• National self determination right is unique to Jewish people.
• Jewish settlement is a national issue.

 Shifting of US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in 2017:

Mr President Donald Trump declared to shift US Embassy. On celebration day ,Palestinians protested and started marching towards the celebration site where leaders of different countries were present. When protestors were 90 km away from celebration site Israeli forces attacked protestors with Tanks and fighter jets and killed dozens. Israel even killed a disabled protestor Ibrahim Abu Thuraya.

International Community Denounced Trump's Move of Shifting Embassy:

• Russia, Morocco and Egypt  lambasted the move.
• British Theresa May said British Embassy will remain in Tel Aviv.
• Erdogan of Turkey criticized and called it an unfortunate move saying US administration failed to mediate and settle long pending issue.OIC summit was called in favor of Palestinians.57 Muslim countries declared East Jerusalem as capital of State of Palestine.

Anticipated Impacts of Move:

• Israel will further adopt expansion.
• US mediating role came to end.
• Middle eastern countries KSA in particular being ally of Israel will join hands against Iran.
• Holding holy city of Jerusalem will further create unrest and chaos in Palestinians.

Trump's Deal of Century:

The peace deal was officially revealed in Bahrain to end Israel-Palestinian conflict. It skirts around issues as Israeli settlements in occupied territory .It is also a financial package of 50 Billion to improve infrastructure ,building highways ,rail track between Gaza and West Bank. It further concludes

• Israel keeps the vast majority of Jerusalem as its sovereign capital.
• Palestinians get no right of return.
• It redraws borders mainly between Israel and the West Bank.
• It doesn’t allow Palestine to create a fighting force to defend itself.

World Leaders React to Trump's Deal

KSA, UAE, Egypt assisted Trump's deal while Turkey and Iran reacted against the deal. The response of some countries and UN are as follows.

Palestinians: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said "a thousand no's" to the plan.

Pakistan: Pakistan's foreign ministry said the country consistently backs a two-state solution, as enshrined in the relevant Security Council and General Assembly Resolutions.

France: France welcomes President Trump's efforts and will carefully study the peace plan he presented," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

United Nation: Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, according to his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, said the UN supports two states living in peace and security within recognized borders, based on the pre-1967 borders. 

Conclusion:

Two nations solution as per UNSC and UNGA resolutions is the ultimate solution of Palestine issue. The recognition of Palestinian refugees and their rehabilitation with compensation for loss of their property must be ensured. Palestinian National Alliance should take control of Gaza strip and people of Palestine should be allowed to exercise fundamental rights.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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