Unfolding History

Hey so I thought that I'd update my blog a bit. We went on a field trip with a man who is obsessed with maps. Needless to say it gave me added appreciation for the current conflict here in this area, meaning the conflict between Israel and Palestine. Actually in my Modern Near East Classes (we have two - each presented from their own perspective) I have been impressed with that they basically recounting history in a similar way. Both are open and honest so I feel I have a better understanding of the issue as what the issue is doesn't seem to be the thing that is being argued. I'm semi-doing this off the cuff so forgive and correct me if you note something not right.

First off there were always some Jews living in the area although in a very small number. They were farmers and lived their lives in harmony with the people around them. During this time the "Near East" was under Ottoman rule and was contacted by various nations to rise up against that empire basically to help their own political prowess, so Palestine became somewhat of a nation as it was being contacted (Not that it didn't have a local identity - all areas do). The First Aliyah (meaning "ascent" - immigration) of Jews came to do that - that is to farm and till the ground. Their settlements were named with such themes as Hope and Salvation.

Also during this time frame and shortly thereafter Zionist doctrines (Not religious) were being formulated up in Germany. Some secular Jew Students moved, and are called the second Aliyah to the Holy Land, and became very active in working the land. Work was their doctrine and looked down on anyone not pulling their weight. Their want was not a religious one they wanted a state of their own for a purely secular reason. (A map displays this time period). (Not many Jews were Zionist - But to this group was suggested an area by the British in East Africa - which the majority of Zionists rejected solidifying that the land near Jerusalem - which is considered Palestine - is definitely where the Zionists wished to go). There are around 6 other Aliyahs.

Nevertheless the immigration was to such a degree that caused the Arab Revolt of 1936 - it's theme was violet acts against the unwanted immigrants and an attack against British rule. The consensus of this revolt was not absolute and some Palestinians put Jewish families in their homes to protect them in a spirit of "if you want them you must go through me".

Next, WWII was near beginning which forced many Jews seeing the signs of war to wish to leave. But the doors to the countries were already closed. America and other countries (including the British - including their occupied territory of Palestine) already had mandates and rules for immigration and all did not allow a large influx of immigrants. And so Zionism became slightly more popular and the immigration into Palestine despite English regulations (which they did enforce strictly) happened quite a bit this is named Aliyah Bet. The Holocaust occurs, different Jews had different reactions (Generally Ultra Orthodox blame Zionism, and Zionists blame Orthodoxy for God allowing the atrocity). Britain has it's own conflicts so it entirely gives the issue to the UN to deal with.

There was already in place a British mandate for the area (including Palestine and modern day Jordan). Jordan gets split from Palestine and is ruled by Hashemites (descendants of Muhammad's great-grandfather). The UN stops all Jewish settlement of Jordan at that point. The UN's plan for Palestine is best portrayed by this map which it proposes in 1947. Notice the bottlenecks of boundaries both countries would have had to deal with. The Jews accept it however the Palestinians do not. Resulting in war during this war the Palestinians and several other countries come in to fight. The Israelis won and gained ground in the battle. Jordan occupied the resulting West Bank and Egypt occupies Gaza. A cease fire was agreed upon and maintained until 1967. The new boundaries were thought to be temporary in a sense and were drawn first with green pen and so is known as the "Green Line". All surrounding Arab countries do not recognize Israel as a state.

The bad relations between Israel and the surrounding countries continue. In 1967, Egypt blocks international waters (an act of war in itself). This, and Arab armies posted near their borders, prompts Israel to attack first in a very successful surprise campaign in the Six Day War. You'll notice in this map in the upper right hand corner they gained land from Syria I learned there are actually cliffs there and the Syrians were bombing the Israelis from above. Also they gained the Sinai Peninsula (and opened the blocked waters in the process) as well as pushed Jordan out of the West bank and became the new occupiers of all Palestine land in so doing. (It is viewed that Israel occupies the West Bank it is not part of Israel proper, so an accurate picture of the country should be like this in our time.) The Israeli Independence Day is known by Palestinians as the Calamity, which is an interesting note and displays well the feelings on both sides.  Palestinians continued the war through the early 1970's.

In 1973 Egypt and Syria made advances in the Yom Kippur War (so named because it was on a Jewish holy day Yom Kippur). In so doing they regained some military glory. But were pushed back completely and the only part the Jordanians had in the battle as I understand it was to prevent Israel from taking more land from Syria. Then in 1982 an agreement was reached between Egypt and Israel to have the Sinai returned to Egypt (relations with Israel are looked down upon by the other Arab countries - ostracizing Egypt from them a bit). Israel still retained the Gaza Strip.

The Palestinian Intefadas followed next - which were occupied Gaza and West Banks Palestinians would protest. Some of these were violent resulting in killings others meant to just create chaos by destroying streets.

In 2001 the decision was made to withdraw completely from the Gaza Strip this was carried out over the next while. Also the Separation wall was beginning to be built. Several things about this. The Wall encloses the West Bank. The Jerusalem area actually has several more issues. For instance more Jerusalem land was annexed by Israel into East Jerusalem after the Green Line was drawn. No country has recognized this annexation. Then the Separation wall throughout the area does not follow the Green Line but deviates greatly, not just slightly, from it. Also in relation to Palestinians with Israeli citizenship - they really get the worst of both worlds. They get scorned by other countries of Arabs and to a point looked down on within their own country. The Arab East Jerusalemites who are now within the separation wall have now created their own culture (whereas they just used to belong to the West Bank - they have to decide who are they now) They are not citizens of any place but are given ID cards by Israel. Also Jewish and Arab students in schooling are always separated - complete with separate books. Feelings toward these attitudes and the wall are divided among both groups.

Hamas has garnered lots of support by those in Gaza as well as the West Bank (They won the election there in 2006). Fatah is a major party of the Palestinians in the West Bank. Though many consider Fatah to be corrupt to a degree (especially in regards to receiving money, from America for instance, and doing very strange things with it). Both Hamas and Fatah have extended their agreed upon rule. I learned also that Hamas builds schools and hospitals for it's people and that's generally why they have support from the Palestinian people. Hamas is blamed for quite a bit of things because they are "in control" of Gaza and technically the West Bank - but there are many different movements and divisions other than Hamas in operation. I learned that Jihadists are excommunicated from Islam. Those Terrorists are considered by the general body as not part of their religion.

After all this history I want to inform you that much of this is romanticized - that is it is more a battle of governments than with people. Imagine a normal man and place him on either side of this conflict this man loves his family, laughs etc. And he has relations with and enjoys the company of people who don't agree with him. The civilians on both sides have a substantial group which do not like the idea of the Settlements being build in the West Bank (neither does America) It lessens the chance of a two nation ideal end.

I hope I have displayed everything that happened in a correct way. I am partly doing this from memory. A resolution should be made including a dual state, upon that many agree.