The Palestinian-Israeli conflict, a focal point of tension between the Western and Islamic world

The Palestinian-Israeli conflict, a focal point of tension between the Western and Islamic worlds, stems from the Zionist movement’s goal of establishing a Jewish state in Palestine, often referred to as the “Promised Land.” This aspiration took shape in the late 19th century with the formation of the Jewish Agency and the First Zionist Congress, which selected Palestine as the site for Jewish settlement. The declaration of Israel in 1948, supported by Western powers like Britain and the U.S., marked a significant geopolitical shift in the Middle East. This support enabled the occupation of Palestinian territories, leading to long-term conflicts and the displacement of many Palestinians, a situation that remains a source of unrest today. The British mandate over Palestine after World War I further aggravated tensions between Arab Palestinians and Jewish immigrants. In 1937, the Peel Commission proposed dividing the land into separate Arab and Jewish states, which only deepened the conflict, paving the way for increased Zionist colonization under British oversight. The creation of Israel and subsequent wars with Arab nations highlighted the legitimacy crisis faced by Israel. Arab countries, rejecting Israel’s right to exist, formed alliances to support Palestine and reclaim occupied lands. Despite these efforts, Israel pursued aggressive security measures, including developing chemical and nuclear weapons, to maintain its existence. In response to regional threats and isolation, Israel sought to secure itself by building strategic alliances, especially with non-Arab nations in West Asia. The pursuit of these strategies has helped Israel sustain its position in a region where it remains largely isolated due to ongoing hostilities with its neighbors. Decades later, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict remains unresolved, symbolizing broader tensions between the West and the Islamic world. Recent intellectual and demographic shifts within Israeli society, coupled with growing criticism of Zionist policies, have led to increasing internal and external opposition to the state’s actions against Palestinians. Ultimately, the conflict’s persistence underlines the enduring struggle over the region’s identity, territory, and political power, with no clear resolution in sight, as both sides continue to face significant challenges in achieving peace and stability.