ISRAEL and PALESTINE - PART TWO

Cogport reviewed the history of the land that is now the country of Israel in Part One. 

In 1300 BC, the Israelites reached the land of Canaan and established their autonomy for 700 years.

The area then experienced numerous changes in occupation and rule.  One constant remained.  The Jews continued to reside in Judah – Judea – Palestine - Israel to the present day with varying degrees of autonomy, religious freedom, and restrictions by occupying powers.

The land of Israel holds profound religious and cultural significance for Jews, being central to Jewish identity, religious practices, and traditions.

Key religious texts, including the Torah, emphasize the connection of the Jewish people to the land of Israel.

Events Leading to Creation of the New Jewish State

Over the ages, the Jewish race has suffered setbacks and discrimination outside of their homeland.   Cogport cannot assert any good reason for this.   It was likely because they were different, were not Christian, and their aptitude for success may have led to dislike.

Here are examples of movements against Jews who had migrated out of their homeland during difficult times.  

The Jews faced expulsions and migrations from European countries in the Middle Ages:

                England        1290 AD

                France            1306 AD and 1394 AD

                Spain              1492 AD  (the year Columbus discovered America)

                Portugal         1497 AD

During World War II, the Nazis executed over 6 Million Jews.  (Compare this to the current population in Israel of 7.1 Million Jews!!)

As we know, this horrific event is called the Holocaust and was an expansive extermination of Jewish lives.                                                                                                                                

A large population of Jews in Russia also suffered under Stalin’s Soviet Rule with discrimination, persecution, and executions of undesired individuals.  Most Jews fled Russia.

CREATION OF THE COUNTRY OF ISRAEL

After World War II, the Allies recognized the plight and suffering of the Jewish Race.  Redress of the situation was more than warranted. 

Great Britain had taken control of the land of Palestine in 1918 and issued the British Mandate which committed the land as a free place for Jews to live and practice their religion.   In 1948, Britain took the major step to release their rights to the land and ceded control to the new Jewish led government. 

The land was renamed Israel.

As we know, this was not a perfect solution.  The outcome for Muslims living in Palestine was not addressed.   The Muslims had no real government or significant leader.  The inevitable conflicts ensued, and remain today with terrorist and militant activity continuously directed at Israel.

It does not help that many Muslims have the mindset that Israel has no right to exist and that the Jews should be eliminated. 

After 1948, Israel recognized the tenuous position they held with opposition from the Muslim countries in the Middle East who objected to the creation of a Jewish State.  The Israelis established a highly defensive posture and took actions to move many Palestinians out of the new country. 

However, 2.1 Million Palestinians still live in Israel today, or 21% of the total population.  They have been able to coexist with the Jewish community although terrorist acts still occur.

THE 1967 WAR

Conflicts and tensions with other countries came to a head in 1967 when Egypt, led by Nasser, amassed troops and built military airfields near the Israeli border.   With surveillance and intelligence reports (spies) telling of an imminent attack on Israel, they made a pre-emptive strike to destroy the airfields.

Egypt responded with an invasion and was joined by Jordan and Syria, all adjoining Israeli borders.

The 1967 War, also known as the Six-Day War, ended with ceasefires after Israel had occupied the territories of the Sinai, West Bank, Gaza Strip, and Golan Heights.   These were strategic acquisitions for Israeli growth and security, especially the Golan Heights which is a prime offensive position to attack Israel.  No formal treaties were signed at the time.

Through the efforts of President Jimmy Carter, Egypt and Israel agreed to a peace treaty on September 17, 1978 - the first between Israel and any of its Arab neighbors.  The agreement is known as the Camp David Accords.

The key terms of the Accords included:

Full diplomatic relations.

The Sinai Peninsula was returned to Egypt

Plan to establish self-government for Palestinians.

Framework for peace treaties between Israel and its other neighbors.

The USA would provide Egypt $1.3 billion in annual military aid.

The USA would provide Israel $ 3 billion in annual military aid.

Anwar Sadat and Menachem Begin made an historic public handshake, and both were granted the Nobel Prize for peace.   Israel and Egypt have co-existed in peace since then.  So, it can be done.

CURRENT STATUS

In 2005, Israel disengaged from the Gaza Strip.  However, Israel and Egypt still maintain control of airspace and borders for defensive reasons.  This security measure is not well accepted by many countries today and remains a controversy.

Israel has not formally given up territory in the West Bank.  However, it has released some areas to Palestinian control under the Oslo Accords.

Since then, the Palestinians have not established an effective government.  It appears that their resentment of Israel leads them to leadership that does not condone peace.

As a result, the Palestinians have not prospered, and the people and military of Israel are always on high alert against terrorist acts and missile attacks.

Hamas currently controls the Gaza Strip.  They are a militant, antisemitic force.

Last October 7, Hamas committed atrocities by invading southern areas of Israel.  (No other way to describe it, for those who prefer to wear blinders).  

The Hamas action included attack on a Music Festival.

The day known as Black Saturday resulted in killing of 1200 Israeli Jews.  

Around 250 were taken hostage and removed to Gaza.  It is estimated that Hamas still holds 80 hostages.  (Does anyone remember the US Embassy hostages in Iran in the Seventies?)

This is an untenable situation for Israel.  The International Community has not been helpful.

Imagine how citizens of the USA would react to constant missile attacks, acts of terror, and a direct attack on our land resulting in this kind of death and hostage taking.

SUMMARY

Based on the recent attacks, Israel would have a motivation to run through Gaza and eliminate Hamas.  So far, international pressure has kept them on hold.  Is this the right solution?

The situation is tense and extremely fluid.    Cogport will look at potential policies, actions, and consequences in the next post.

David Hollaender

Cogport.com

6/18/2024