Israel-Palestine conflict
In 1967, due to constant tension between Israel and its Arab neighbors, Egypt, Syria, and Jordan mobilized their armies on Israel’s borders. Before this, as a result of the War of Independence, the Gaza Strip belonged to Egypt; the West Bank, including parts of Jerusalem, belonged to Jordan. Less than a week later, all that changed. During what came to be known as the 6-Day War, Israel confronted three opposing armies on all sides, and not only fought them off, but won land. After the war, Israel hoped to use the additional land as means for peace negotiations. However, the Arab world denounced recognition, and thus negotiations with Israel. That is how Israel came into possession of land that would and will continue to result in some of greatest sources of conflict the Middle East has seen. This summer was a manifestation of that conflict.
In 2005, Israel disengaged from Gaza. This involved uprooting the towns of more than nine thousand people. In the end, Gaza was under Palestinian jurisdiction, and the only Israelis that remained were soldiers. This controversial decision was partially a result of violence between Arabs and Israeli settlers and soldiers, and partially a test run for further disengagement and maybe even peace. Needless to say, the test run failed. In 2006, the terrorist organization Hamas was elected to poliitical leadership in Gaza. Since then, the number and range of rockets fired into Israel has increased every year.
Thus, a vicious cycle was born: tension on both sides from rockets and other acts of violence builds, often a result of failed peace talks, until it all bubbles over, prompting major Israeli military action. First came Operation Cast Lead in 2008-2009, then Operation Pillar of Defense in 2012, and most recently, this summer’s Operation Protective Edge.
On June 12th, only months after John Kerry’s peace talks between both sides failed, three Israeli teens were kidnapped and killed. Israel’s military search and initial response involved increased Palestinian arrests targeting Hamas operatives. While Hamas has denied officially ordering the kiddnap- ping; the captors were affiliated with the terrorist group and Hamas certainly praised the act, one of its leaders saying “blessed be the hands that captured them.” A few days later, a Palestinian teen was found dead. Israeli extremists were responsible. The kidnappings were a catalyst for rocket fire from both sides, and violence that would last all summer long.
On July 8th, Israel launched Operation Protective Edge, beginning targeted airstrikes on Hamas leaders and weapons. Israel also went in to collapse all tunnels bringing in aid and weapons in Gaza that Hamas needed for terrorist attacks. Throughout the operation, multiple ceasefires were agreed upon and broken, violence and casualties growing. Israel’s Iron Dome defense system has protected most of its civilians against random rocket fire, while targeted attacks gone wrong and the placement of Hamas weapons in schools and hospitals has led to the deaths of over a thousdand Palestinian civilians.
In LM, this conflict has led to discussions between Israel supporters and Palestine supporters. Some pro-Israel students, pictured above, attended a rally in support of the country this August. Others, including senior Divya Arya feel that, “both sides consider themselves the victim and must asknowledge their own place in the conflict before peace can be achieved.” Similar to the situation in the Middle East, the LM community is far from reaching a consensus.