Israel-Palestine Conflict
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Background Information
o Historical Roots of the Conflict
o The British Mandate and the Partition Plan (1917–1947)
o The Creation of Israel and the Arab Israeli War (1948)
o Key Wars and Occupations: 1967 Six-Day War, 1973 Yom Kippur
War
o The Oslo Accords and Attempts at Peace
3. Key Issues
o Borders and Territory
o Status of Jerusalem
o Palestinian Refugees
o Israeli Settlements
o Security Concerns and Violence
4. Relevant UN Actions and Resolutions
5. Country Positions
o Israel
o Palestine
o Arab States
o United States, European Union, and Russia
6. Current Events (2020-2024)
7. Possible Solutions and Approaches
o Two-State Solution
o One-State Solution
o International Peacekeeping and Mediation Efforts
o Addressing Humanitarian Needs and Human Rights
8. Bloc Positions
o Western Bloc
o Arab Bloc
o Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)
9. Questions a Resolution Must Address
[Link]
[Link] Reading and References
1. Introduction
The Israel-Palestine conflict is one of the longest-running and most complex
conflicts in the world. It has its origins in the late 19th and early 20th centuries,
involving the establishment of Jewish and Arab national movements. The conflict
has since evolved into a deeply entrenched political, territorial, and religious
dispute. Various attempts have been made to broker peace, but fundamental
issues such as borders, the status of Jerusalem, refugees, and security remain
unresolved.
2. Background Information
Historical Roots of the Conflict
The roots of the Israel-Palestine conflict trace back to the late 19th century, when
both Jews and Arabs in the region began developing nationalist aspirations. For
Jews, the Zionist movement aimed to establish a homeland in what was then
Ottoman-controlled Palestine, an area where Jews had a historical connection. For
Palestinians, the land was their home, and they developed a sense of national
identity in opposition to Zionism.
The British Mandate and the Partition Plan (1917–1947)
In 1917, the British government issued the Balfour Declaration, supporting the
establishment of a “national home for the Jewish people” in Palestine, then under
British mandate following the fall of the Ottoman Empire after World War I. Arab
opposition to Jewish immigration increased during this period, leading to growing
tensions.
In 1947, the United Nations proposed the UN Partition Plan (Resolution 181),
which recommended the division of Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab
states, with Jerusalem under international control. The Jewish community
accepted the plan, while the Arab community rejected it, resulting in violence.
The Creation of Israel and the Arab Israeli War (1948)
On May 14, 1948, the state of Israel was declared, triggering the first Arab
Israeli War. Neighbouring Arab countries invaded the new state, but Israel
defended its territory and expanded its borders. Hundreds of thousands of
Palestinians were displaced, leading to the ongoing refugee crisis.
Key Wars and Occupations: 1967 Six-Day War, 1973 Yom Kippur War
The conflict escalated in the Six-Day War (1967) when Israel captured the West
Bank, East Jerusalem, Gaza Strip, Sinai Peninsula, and Golan Heights. This
marked the beginning of Israel’s military occupation of Palestinian territories, a
central issue in the ongoing conflict.
In 1973, the Yom Kippur War saw Egypt and Syria launch a surprise attack on
Israel. Although the war ended in a ceasefire, it reshaped Middle Eastern
geopolitics and led to increased U.S. involvement.
The Oslo Accords and Attempts at Peace
The Oslo Accords (1993) marked the first direct negotiations between Israel
and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), aiming to establish a two-state
solution. While the accords created the Palestinian Authority and granted it
limited self-rule, final status issues such as borders, settlements, and refugees
were left unresolved. Subsequent peace efforts, including the Camp David
Summit (2000) and Annapolis Conference (2007), have similarly failed to
produce lasting peace.
3. Key Issues
Borders and Territory
One of the core disputes is over borders. Palestinians seek the establishment of a
state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, while Israel
desires security guarantees and maintains control over much of the West Bank,
including settlements.
Status of Jerusalem
Jerusalem holds religious significance for Jews, Muslims, and Christians. Israel
claims the entire city as its capital, while Palestinians view East Jerusalem as the
capital of their future state. The international community has not recognized
Israel's sovereignty over the entire city, and its status remains highly
contentious.
Palestinian Refugees
The fate of Palestinian refugees displaced during the 1948 and 1967 wars
remains unresolved. Palestinians demand the right of return for refugees and
their descendants, while Israel opposes this, fearing it would alter the
demographic balance.
Israeli Settlements
Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem are viewed as illegal
under international law by much of the international community. Their continued
expansion complicates the prospect of a two-state solution and has been a major
obstacle in negotiations.
Security Concerns and Violence
The security situation remains tense, with periodic escalations of violence
between Israeli forces and Palestinian factions, including Hamas in Gaza. Both
sides face ongoing security concerns, including rocket attacks, military
incursions, and terrorism.
4. Relevant UN Actions and Resolutions
The United Nations has passed numerous resolutions on the Israel-Palestine
conflict, including:
UN Resolution 181 (1947): The Partition Plan to create separate Jewish
and Arab states.
UN Resolution 194 (1948): Addresses the Palestinian right of return.
UN Resolution 242 (1967): Calls for Israel to withdraw from territories
occupied in the Six-Day War.
UN Resolution 338 (1973): Reaffirms the need for peace following the
Yom Kippur War.
UN Resolution 2334 (2016): Condemns Israeli settlement activities in
the occupied Palestinian territories.
These resolutions reflect the ongoing international effort to mediate the conflict
and seek a peaceful resolution.
5. Country Positions
Israel
Israel maintains that it has a right to exist as a Jewish state and seeks secure
borders. It argues that its military actions and occupation of certain territories are
necessary for national security. Israel also insists on direct negotiations with the
Palestinians without preconditions.
Palestine
The Palestinian Authority seeks the establishment of an independent Palestinian
state along the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. It demands the
right of return for refugees and an end to Israeli settlements and occupation.
Arab States
Historically, Arab states have supported the Palestinian cause, although relations
with Israel have evolved, particularly after the Abraham Accords (2020), where
several Arab nations normalized relations with Israel. While these countries still
officially support Palestinian statehood, their policies towards Israel have become
more pragmatic.
United States, European Union, and Russia
The United States has traditionally been a key ally of Israel, providing military
and diplomatic support, although it also advocates for a two-state solution. The
European Union supports Palestinian statehood and opposes Israeli settlements.
Russia has positioned itself as a mediator and maintains relations with both Israel
and Palestinian factions.
Current Events (2020–2024)
The period from 2020 to 2024 has been marked by both diplomatic efforts and
significant escalations of violence in the Israel-Palestine conflict. Below is a
detailed account of key events during this period, including major political
developments, ongoing conflicts, and regional tensions.
1. Trump Administration’s Proposed Peace Plan (January 2020)
On January 28, 2020, the Trump administration unveiled its proposed
Israeli-Palestinian peace plan. The plan was drafted by U.S. and Israeli
diplomats without Palestinian input and was heavily criticized for being one-
sided. It proposed a two-state solution with significant economic aid to the
Palestinians but placed impossible conditions for Palestinian statehood, while
paving the way for Israeli annexation of large portions of the West Bank [1]. The
plan was immediately rejected by Palestinian authorities, who viewed it as
detrimental to their aspirations for statehood. In response, Israeli Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans to annex parts of the West
Bank as outlined in the proposal [2].
2. Abraham Accords (September 2020)
In September 2020, Israel normalized relations with the United Arab
Emirates and Bahrain through the Abraham Accords, brokered by the Trump
administration. The accords marked the first time in over 25 years that Arab
nations formally recognized Israel, leading to a historic diplomatic shift in the
region [3]. In exchange, Israel suspended plans to annex parts of the West Bank.
The agreement was later expanded to include Sudan and Morocco, further
normalizing ties with Israel [4]. While hailed by some as a step toward regional
peace, the Palestinians condemned the accords as a betrayal of their cause, as
they did not address the occupation or the core issues of the conflict [5].
3. May 2021 Israel-Hamas Conflict
In May 2021, tensions over the eviction of Palestinian families from Sheikh
Jarrah in East Jerusalem and Israeli police actions at the Al-Aqsa Mosque
compound led to widespread protests and violence [6]. These events triggered an
11-day war between Israel and Hamas, in which over 260 Palestinians,
including 66 children, were killed in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, and 13 Israelis
were killed by rocket fire from Gaza [7]. The conflict saw severe damage to
civilian infrastructure in Gaza and worsened the humanitarian situation. U.S.
President Joe Biden helped mediate a ceasefire and partially restored U.S. aid to
Palestinians, reversing cuts from the Trump administration [8].
4. Increasing Violence in the West Bank (2022)
The year 2022 saw a significant escalation in violence between Israel and
Palestinians in the West Bank. Israeli military operations, dubbed
"counterterrorism," targeted suspected militants but also resulted in the deaths
of numerous civilians [9]. The year became the deadliest for Palestinians in the
West Bank since 2005, with over 150 deaths recorded. Palestinian attacks on
Israeli settlers and soldiers also surged, leading to increased Israeli military raids,
particularly in cities like Jenin and Nablus [10].
5. Ongoing Israel-Gaza Conflict and the Death of Palestinian Children
(2023)
By 2023, violence between Israel and Gaza-based militant groups continued to
flare. Israeli airstrikes and Hamas rocket fire persisted, and the United Nations
reported that at least 50 Palestinian children were killed that year alone in
Israeli military operations [11]. The conflict deepened the humanitarian crisis in
Gaza, where ongoing blockades severely limited access to food, water,
healthcare, and electricity [12].
6. Hamas’ Surprise Attack on Israel (October 2023)
On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched an unprecedented surprise attack on
Israel, resulting in the deadliest day in Israeli history. The attack killed around
1,200 Israelis, mostly civilians, and saw over 200 hostages taken into Gaza by
Hamas fighters [13]. Hamas claimed the attack was a response to Israel’s long-
standing blockade of Gaza and occupation of Palestinian territories. In retaliation,
Israel launched a devastating military offensive against Gaza, aiming to
dismantle Hamas’ military infrastructure. The International Criminal Court
(ICC) and International Court of Justice (ICJ) opened investigations into
potential war crimes by both Hamas and Israel, though both parties rejected the
accusations [14].
As of July 2024, over 35,000 Palestinians have been killed in the ongoing
conflict, many of them civilians, and more than 100 Israeli hostages remain in
captivity. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen, with severe
shortages of food, medicine, and essential services [15].
7. Escalation with Hezbollah and Lebanon (2023–2024)
In parallel to the conflict with Hamas, Israel has also faced escalating tensions
with Hezbollah, the Lebanon-based militant group backed by Iran. Hezbollah
increased cross-border rocket fire into northern Israel in support of Palestinians in
Gaza, prompting retaliatory Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon [16]. By early
2024, the border conflict between Israel and Hezbollah had intensified, raising
fears of a wider regional war. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon
(UNIFIL) has called for both sides to respect the Blue Line ceasefire, but
violations continue [17].
8. Israeli Political Crisis and Judicial Reforms (2023)
In 2023, Israel faced a significant internal political crisis due to Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu’s controversial judicial reforms, which sought to limit the
powers of the Israeli Supreme Court. These reforms sparked massive protests
across Israel, with hundreds of thousands of citizens demonstrating against what
they viewed as a threat to democracy [18]. The reforms distracted the
government from handling external threats and further strained its relationship
with the Palestinians, particularly as settlement expansion in the West Bank
continued [19].
9. International Responses and Humanitarian Concerns
Throughout this period, international bodies and organizations like the United
Nations, European Union, and Human Rights Watch have condemned both
Israel and Hamas for their actions. Calls for investigations into human rights
abuses and potential war crimes have been made, though no substantial
international policy shifts have occurred [20]. The humanitarian situation in Gaza
remains dire, with UNICEF estimating that nearly 70% of the population relies on
humanitarian aid [21]. Despite numerous attempts to broker ceasefires, including
by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, the conflict remains unresolved, and
prospects for peace appear bleak.
7. Possible Solutions and Approaches
Two-State Solution
The most widely supported solution envisions the creation of an independent
Palestinian state alongside Israel, based on the 1967 borders with some land
swaps. However, continued settlement expansion and political divisions within
both Israel and Palestine make this difficult to achieve.
One-State Solution
This solution would create a single, binational state with equal rights for both
Israelis and Palestinians. This proposal faces resistance from both sides, as it
raises questions about the future demographic and political character of the
state.
International Peacekeeping and Mediation Efforts
There have been numerous calls for international peacekeeping forces to monitor
the situation, particularly in sensitive areas like Jerusalem. Organizations such as
the Quartet on the Middle East (UN, EU, US, and Russia) have played
mediating roles, but these efforts have yet to yield lasting peace.
Addressing Humanitarian Needs and Human Rights
Humanitarian organizations, including the United Nations Relief and Works
Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), work to address the basic needs of
Palestinian refugees. Any lasting solution will need to ensure that the human
rights of all people in the region are respected.
8. Bloc Positions
Western Bloc
The Western Bloc, led by the United States and the European Union, generally
supports Israel's right to security but also advocates for a two-state solution and
opposes settlement expansion.
Arab Bloc
The Arab Bloc has historically supported the Palestinian cause and called for the
return of occupied lands. However, the Abraham Accords signify a shift in some
Arab states' approach to Israel.
Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)
The NAM supports Palestinian self-determination and has called for an end to
Israeli occupation.
9. Questions a Resolution Must Address
1. How can the issue of Israeli settlements in occupied territories be
resolved?
2. What mechanisms can ensure security for both Israelis and Palestinians?
3. How should the issue of Palestinian refugees and their right of return be
addressed?
4. What is the future status of Jerusalem?
5. How can international actors promote sustainable peace negotiations?
10. Conclusion
The Israel-Palestine conflict remains one of the most challenging and complex
issues in international relations. While numerous efforts have been made to bring
peace to the region, a lasting solution requires addressing the core issues of
territory, refugees, security, and human rights. As delegates debate potential
resolutions, it is essential to consider the historical context, current dynamics,
and the aspirations of both Israelis and Palestinians.
11. Further Reading and References
1. United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees
(UNRWA) - UNRWA
2. Balfour Declaration (1917) - Balfour Declaration
3. The Oslo Accords (1993) - Oslo Accords
4. UN Resolution 181 (1947) - UN Partition Plan
5. UN Resolution 242 (1967) - UN Resolution 242
6. The Abraham Accords (2020) - Abraham Accords
7. Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) - PLO
8. Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Israel MFA
9. Palestinian Authority - Palestinian Authority
[Link]'s Peace Plan - Peace Plan
[Link]’s Annexation Plans - Annexation Plans
[Link] Accords Overview - Abraham Accords
[Link] Normalizes Relations - Morocco and Israel
[Link] Response to the Accords - Palestinian Reaction
[Link] Jarrah Evictions - Sheikh Jarrah
16.2021 Gaza Conflict Casualties - Gaza Casualties
[Link]'s Role in Ceasefire - Biden Diplomacy
[Link] Bank Violence in 2022 - West Bank
[Link] Military Raids in Jenin - Jenin Raids
[Link] 2023 Child Deaths - UNICEF Gaza
[Link] Blockade Impact - Blockade
[Link] Attack October 2023 - Hamas Attack
[Link] Crimes Investigations - ICC Investigations
[Link] Toll in 2024 - Gaza Death Toll
[Link] Rocket Attacks - Hezbollah Attacks
[Link] Calls for Ceasefire - UNIFIL