The Hindu Editorial Analysis- 15th October 2024 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Israel’s Brutality in Gaza, India’s Pin-Drop Silence

Why in News?

October 7, 2024 marked one year of Israel’s war on Gaza and its relentless bombing of the Gaza Strip killing nearly 42,000 people. The prime victims of the heartless war have been civilians, women and children in Gaza, West Bank and now Lebanon; 16,705 Palestinian children have been killed, the largest in any conflict in one year. This has brought out millions in mass demonstrations in the major cities of Europe, the United States and beyond, politicising a generation of people in opposition to Israel, and also making it one of the greatest issues of our time.

Background of Israel Palestine Conflict: Zionism

• Zionism is fundamentally the national goal of the Jewish people, focusing on the support and promotion of a Jewish homeland. This homeland is traditionally associated with the region of Palestine or the Biblical land of Israel.
• In the 19th century, there was a rise in nationalistic feelings across Europe, alongside an increase in antisemitism.
• In this context, Theodor Herzl organized the First Zionist Congress in 1897 in Basel, Switzerland.
• The congress advocated for the migration of Jews to Palestine and the purchase of land from the local residents.

Israel Palestine Map

• Israel-Palestine is one of the smallest regions globally, yet it holds significant importance.
• The area includes several key territories that are notable in various aspects.
• These regions are rich in historical significance and cultural diversity.
• The conflict in the area has drawn international attention for many years.
• Understanding the geopolitical landscape is essential for grasping the complexities of the region.

Gaza Strip

• Location: The Gaza Strip is a small coastal area by the Mediterranean Sea, next to Israel and Egypt's Sinai Peninsula. Along with the West Bank, it is part of Palestine, with Israel lying between the two regions.
• Governance: Since 2006, Hamas, a political and military group, has controlled the Gaza Strip.
• Control: Israel controls the air and sea around Gaza and restricts goods entering. Egypt also controls its own border with Gaza.

West Bank

• Location: The West Bank is a landlocked area bordered by Israel and Jordan, with the Dead Sea forming part of its boundary.
• Administration: A part of Jerusalem lies within the West Bank. The region is mainly governed by Fatah, a Palestinian political group.

Jerusalem

• Location: Jerusalem is on a plateau between the Mediterranean Sea and the Dead Sea, roughly in the center of Israel. It is surrounded by Palestinian territories.
• Administration: The city is divided into two main parts: Jewish-majority West Jerusalem and Palestinian-majority East Jerusalem, which includes the Old City. Jerusalem is important to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The Israeli government operates from Jerusalem, and the country's leaders live there.

Israel vs Palestine: Perspectives of Both Sides

• Israel and Palestine have different views on the conflict.
• Each side has its own stories and understandings of how the conflict started and how it has changed over time.
• The narratives from both sides shape their perspectives on the ongoing issues.
• These differing narratives affect how each side sees peace and resolution.
• Understanding these perspectives is crucial for grasping the complexities of the situation.

Israel

• Many Israelis feel a strong religious and historical connection to the land, going back to biblical times.
• After the Holocaust, Israel became a safe haven for Jews worldwide, protecting against anti-Semitism and regional threats.
• The UN approved the creation of a Jewish state in 1947.
• Given past wars and terrorist attacks, many Israelis focus on security, especially regarding the West Bank and Gaza.
• Some Israelis are unsure whether the Palestinian leadership is capable or willing to ensure Israel's safety.

Palestine

• Palestinians have a deep historical and cultural connection to the land.
• The creation of Israel led to a large number of Palestinian refugees.
• Palestinians view Israel’s control over Gaza as oppressive, causing great hardship.
• Many Palestinians demand the right for refugees to return, as stated in UN Resolution 194.
• Israeli settlements in the West Bank are considered illegal by the international community, making it harder to establish a Palestinian state.

Israel and Palestine Timeline - Early 19th Century to 21st Century

• The Israel-Palestine conflict has been ongoing for over a century and is a complex struggle in the Middle East.
• Its roots can be traced back to nationalist movements in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
• Several key events have shaped the conflict, influencing the relationships between the groups involved.

World Wars and British Mandate

Post-World War I – Creation of British Mandate

• Background: In 1917, the Balfour Declaration expressed British support for creating a Jewish national home in Palestine.
• Mandate Charter: After World War I, the League of Nations gave Britain control over Palestine, tasking them with carrying out the Balfour Declaration.
• Jewish Immigration (Aliyah): Large numbers of Jewish immigrants moved to Palestine, especially after the rise of Nazism in Europe.

Post-World War II – End of British Mandate

• Background: In 1946, Britain decided to hand over its mandate in Palestine to the newly formed United Nations.
• UNSCOP Recommendation (1947): The UN Special Committee on Palestine proposed dividing Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states, with Jerusalem under international control. This was passed as UN Resolution 181.

Establishment of the State of Israel

• Declaration of the State of Israel:
  • On May 14, 1948, David Ben-Gurion, the leader of the Jewish Agency, announced the creation of the State of Israel.
• First Arab-Israeli War (1948-1949):
  • Initial Phase: Right after Israel declared its independence, armies from Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Iraq, and Lebanon attacked the new state.
  • Territorial Gains: Israel managed to keep its independence and even grew its land beyond what was suggested in the UN Partition Plan.
  • Palestinian Exodus: The fighting caused many Palestinian Arabs to leave their homes, a situation that Palestinians call the "Nakba", which means catastrophe.
  • Armistice Agreements (1949): By early 1949, separate peace agreements were made between Israel and Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria.
  • The agreements created the Armistice Demarcation Lines, commonly known as the Green Line.

1950s-1960s: Further Conflicts Between Israel and Palestine

Suez Crisis (1956)

• Key Aspects: Israel invaded Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, with Britain and France joining the conflict to control the Suez Canal.
• Outcome: By March 1957, all British, French, and Israeli forces withdrew under international pressure.

Formation of PLO (1964)

• Key Aspects: The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) was formed in May 1964 during the first Palestinian Congress, supported by Arab states.
• Goals:
  • Liberation of Palestine through armed struggle, primarily led by Fatah.
  • Establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the 1947 UN Partition Plan borders.
  • Rejection of the Balfour Declaration, which paved the way for Israel's creation.
• Key Leaders:
  • Ahmed Shukeiri: First chairman of the PLO.
  • Yasser Arafat: Leader of Fatah, who became the PLO's Executive Committee chairman in 1969.

Six-Day War (1967)

• Background: Tensions arose from border incidents and blockades between Israel and its neighbors.
• Beginning: Israel launched a preemptive strike, disabling the air forces of Egypt, Syria, and Jordan.
• Aftermath: Israel won decisively, capturing the Sinai Peninsula (from Egypt), the West Bank and East Jerusalem (from Jordan), and the Golan Heights (from Syria).
• Consequences: Israel now had control over large Palestinian populations, particularly in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

1970s: Continued Tensions and Hope

2000s: Second Intifada & Wars in Gaza

• Second Intifada (2000-2005)
  • Background: After the Camp David Summit failed in July 2000, tensions increased.
  • Outbreak: Violent clashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces quickly grew into a major uprising.
  • Nature of the Uprising: The Second Intifada was much more violent than the First. It resulted in a greater number of deaths and included suicide bombings from Palestinian militant groups, as well as military actions by the Israeli Defense Forces.
• Wars in Gaza
  • Background: In 2006, Hamas won the Palestinian legislative elections. This led to rising tensions with Fatah, resulting in a short civil war in Gaza, after which Hamas gained control in 2007.
  • Blockade: Israel started a blockade on Gaza, citing security issues due to rocket attacks.
  • Gaza War (2008-2009):
    • Operation Cast Lead: This operation was initiated by Israel in December 2008, aiming to stop rocket attacks and diminish Hamas's power. It concluded in January 2009 with a unilateral ceasefire from both sides.

2010-Present: Tensions and Peace Attempts

2010 Peace Talks

• Initiated by: The United States, aiming to address core issues such as:
  • Borders of Israel and a future Palestinian state.
  • Status of Jerusalem.
  • Right of return for Palestinian refugees and security arrangements.
• Outcomes: Talks collapsed within weeks, largely due to disagreements over Israeli settlement construction. Palestinians demanded a freeze on settlements as a precondition, which Israel opposed.

U.S. Embassy Move to Jerusalem (2018)

• Announcement: In December 2017, U.S. President Donald Trump declared the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital and announced the move of the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
• Reactions: The move was celebrated in Israel but faced strong opposition from Palestinians and international criticism, sparking protests in Gaza and the West Bank.

Peace to Prosperity Plan (2020)

• Introduction: The U.S., under President Trump, proposed a new peace plan in January 2020, known as the "Deal of the Century."
• Key Points:
  • Favored Israeli positions, including the annexation of parts of the West Bank.
  • Recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s undivided capital.
  • Denied Palestinian refugees the right of return.
• Reactions: Israel welcomed the plan, while Palestinians rejected it, stating it denied them a viable state.

Abraham Accords (2020)

• Agreement: Brokered by the U.S., these accords led to the normalization of relations between Israel and several Arab states, including the UAE, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco.
• Significance: The accords shifted the regional focus, as many Arab states prioritized concerns over Iran rather than the Palestinian issue.

Gaza Conflict (2021)

• Trigger: Rising tensions over the potential eviction of Palestinian families in East Jerusalem’s Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood and clashes at Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan led to rocket fire from Gaza and Israeli airstrikes in May 2021.
• Conflict: The 11-day war resulted in over 200 Palestinian and 12 Israeli deaths.
• Ceasefire: Egypt brokered a ceasefire that took effect on May 21, 2021.

India’s Stand on Israel Palestine Conflict

• India's Position: India supports a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine, maintaining diplomatic relationships with both sides. It promotes a peaceful resolution and balances its strategic partnerships while historically backing the Palestinian cause.
• Background
  • Support for Palestine: India has shown a preference for Palestine due to several reasons:
    • Gandhi's Views: Mahatma Gandhi disapproved of the establishment of a Jewish state.
    • Muslim Population: A large Muslim community exists in India.
    • Arab Relations: India has established strong ties with Arab nations.
• UN Voting Patterns: India voted against the division of Palestine and opposed Israel's admission to the UN.
• Policy Changes
  • Post-Cold War Developments: After the Cold War, Prime Minister Narasimha Rao established diplomatic relations with Israel, disregarding potential backlash from Arab countries. In 1992, India formed full diplomatic ties with Israel, a significant step while still advocating for Palestine.
• Diplomatic Balance: India aims to:
  • Strengthen Relations with Israel
  • Support Palestine
  • Improve Ties with Arab Nations
• Current Policy
  • Strengthening Ties with Israel: Recently, India and Israel have enhanced their relations in various sectors, including trade, defense, technology, and counter-terrorism. India's support for Israel is partly due to its own struggles with cross-border terrorism, although the situations in both nations differ.
  • Support for Palestine: Despite closer ties with Israel, India continues to support Palestine.
    • India contributed USD 29.53 million to UNRWA for Palestinian refugees.
    • India sent 6.5 tonnes of medical aid and 32 tonnes of disaster relief to Palestine.
  • De-hyphenation Diplomacy: In 2017, the Indian Prime Minister made his first visit to Israel, followed by an official visit to Palestine in 2018. In 2017, India also voted against the US and Israel regarding the unilateral declaration of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. While India condemns terrorism, it opposes indiscriminate bombings as a response.
• India's Consistent Stance: India continues to advocate for a two-state solution where Israel and Palestine can live peacefully. The 1991 Madrid Peace Conference, facilitated by the US, supported this solution. The Indian Prime Minister's visit to Ramallah in the West Bank in 2018 emphasizes this position.
• Implications of the Israel-Palestine Conflict for India
  • Defense Relations with Israel: Israel is a primary supplier of military equipment to India, with defense contracts worth about USD 2.1 billion. Ongoing conflicts could delay these supplies.
  • Energy Security Concerns: Regional unrest can affect energy prices, impacting India's economy.
  • India-Middle East-Europe Corridor: India has signed the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) agreement. However, regional instability could pose security risks, potentially disrupting the smooth implementation of IMEC.

Challenges to Peace in the Israel Palestine Conflict

• Ancient disputes: Long-standing issues related to religion and land are deeply rooted for both sides.
• Capital controversy: Both Israelis and Palestinians claim Jerusalem as their capital, leading to ongoing tension.
• West Bank settlements: Palestinians see Israeli communities in the West Bank as obstacles to achieving peace, and this feeling is mutual.
• Border conflicts: There are still unresolved arguments about the borders, especially after the 1967 war.
• Refugee return: Palestinians push for the right of refugees to return to their homes in Israel.
• Safety issues: Both groups have mistrust and fears of violence, including missile attacks from Gaza and Israeli military responses.
• Political fragmentation: Each side has different political groups, such as Hamas and Fatah among Palestinians, and various Israeli political factions.
• Foreign interference: Outside political interests and biases can sometimes worsen the situation.
• Financial inequalities: Economic hardships and inequalities can increase tensions and lead to more conflicts.

Possible Solution to the Israel-Palestine Conflict

• Two-state solution: Creating an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel.
• One-state solution: Forming a single nation where both Jews and Palestinians have equal rights.
• Alliance model: Joining two nations with shared responsibilities and allowing free movement between them.
• Border realignments: Changing borders based on the current situation and trading areas settled by Israelis.
• Joint capital in Jerusalem: Making Jerusalem a shared capital or placing it under international control.
• Refugee repatriation: Addressing the return of Palestinian refugees, possibly including compensation or other settlement options.
• Disarmament: Creating a weapon-free Palestinian state to ease Israeli security concerns.
• Financial Infusion: Providing global financial support to improve Palestine's economy and living conditions.
• International collaboration: Involving nearby Arab countries to foster regional peace and cooperation.
• Community Diplomacy efforts: Local initiatives that encourage unity between Israeli and Palestinian communities.