Conflict between Israel and the Arab States - Coursework Example

Name : xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Institution : xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Tutor : xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Title : Conflict between Israel and the Arab states Course : xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx @2011 Conflict between Israel and the Arab states Introduction The conflict between Israel and Arab states consists of the open hostilities and political tensions existing between the Jewish people in the Middle East and the Arab people Milton-Edwards (2001). Since 1948 this conflict has never been dealt with completely. 1948 is the year that the United Nations forcefully established the modern nation of Israel. This conflict was triggered by the settlement of the Jewish community in Palestine on a large scale. The Zionist movement being established was addition to this problem. Arab nationalism is another reason that has added fuel to this conflict. Arab nationalism teaches that we the people of Arab origin all the way from the Arabian Sea to the Atlantic Ocean make up a united nation with a common culture, language, religion and history. The land the Jewish claim to be theirs historically belongs to the Palestinian Arabs. In the Pan-Arab view this land has belonged to us from history to the present day. This land is also Muslim Land looking at it from the Pan Islamic point of view. This conflict which began as a nationalist and political struggle over territory after the Ottoman Empire collapsed has been transformed over time from the bigger conflict between the Arabs and Israelis to a localized Israeli-Palestinian conflict Milton-Edwards (2001).However the Arab world and Israel still stand against each other as long as the territory dispute has not been resolved. Palestine which is a former region of the Ottoman Empire is made up of the Gaza strip, Israel and the West Bank. Since 1948 when the Israel state was created diplomats and politicians have been trying to get a solution to the conflict through the establishment of an independent state of Palestine from Israel. A formidable resolution has however been hindered by issues of mutual recognition, water rights, borders, security and the control of Jerusalem city. The conflict between Israel and conflict is just a part of the wider conflict between Israelis and Arabs which is a major international conflict the present day Cohen (1987). The principal cause of the Israeli conflict with Arabs exists because of the claim of two movements on one piece of land. The biggest reason however, is that since the Jews are illegitimately occupying land meant for Arabs we cannot accept their determination to continue occupying it. The religious concepts of fundamentalists in the Jewish community play a big role in escalating this conflict Sachar (1996). The Jewish have the settler movement which is a religious movement. Israel blames Hamas and other groups in Palestine for fundamentalism but this is not true since they are fighting for their rights. Hams and in fact the whole Arab fraternity does not believe in allowing a peaceful solution do be reached. Hamas won elections in Palestine and are in control of the Gaza strip. Peace for Arabs will mean that we have failed in fighting for our land and yet Allah promises to give it to us in the Quran Sachar (1996). The Israeli-Arab conflict has also been increased because of demonizing of Arabs by Israelis and other misconceptions. The Israelis think the Arab states surrounding them are undemocratic, have underdeveloped economies, have backward socio-cultural standards and are extremely aggressive in their religion in inciting terrorism and hatred. However Arabs will never be so, we maintain our identity in all these aspects are not misled by awkward western ideologies like them Milton-Edwards (2001). Israelis are colonial invaders in Arab land who want to conquer the whole Middle East. This is something that we shall never allow to happen. Israelis think they are more successful than our prosperous Arab states. This gives them resentment towards us. Arabs know what they are after and are not out to serve the interests of other people like the west. Israel is the gateway for western nations who want to interfere with the people of the Middle East. In Arab schools, media and mosques Arabs promote anti Semitism and anti-Zionism because the Holy Quran gives them the basis to do that Cohen (1987). When the Oslo peace process came, many people supported the idea of an independent Palestinian Arab state. However many Israelis are opposed to the establishment of the capital of Palestine in East Jerusalem Sachar (1996). In 1948 the Palestinian Arabs were forced to abandon their lands and homes by Jewish movements to pave way for the establishment of the Israel state. During that time the United Nations proposed that Palestinian land be split in two to form the Palestine and Israel states. Arabs could not accept this idea since Palestine is historically and legally Arab territory. Furthermore, the Palestine Arabs had been thrown out as refugees to go and live in Lebanon, Jordan and Syria or elsewhere Sachar (1996). On the other hand the Jews claim that Palestinian land belongs to them. This they base on the thought that lived there historically before Palestinians came. They claim that they have the right to repossess their grand fathers’ lands. After Israel state was established many Jews came to live on Palestine land. As if that was not enough the Jews reached out for more land belonging to Palestinian Arabs in 1967 and therefore refused to stay within the borders set in 1948. This has really angered Arabs because this is a show of mockery. The conflict has therefore grown since 1967 amidst all peaceful efforts made to bring it to an end. Both Israelis and Arabs do not accept that this conflict has anything to do with religion Bregman et al, (1998). However the Jews with their religion are passionate to keep this conflict a live. History, patriotism and land are other major factors that play a role in the conflict. Religion however when included in the causes of this conflict makes it a more complicated issue whose solution is hard to find. Both the Islamic Religion and Judaism have different teachings on the people and the land of Palestine. On the side of the Jews they say that they were promised by God that they would live in the land of milk and honey when they came out of slavery. “The Jews also claim that their holy Temple was located on the Holy Mountain in Jerusalem where the Aqsa mosque now exists.” The root cause of this conflict is linked to the fight between Abraham’s children Ishmael and Isaac who brought forth the Arab and Jewish races respectively. Judaism teaches that Palestinian land was given to Jews by God. However Jews are mistaken on and they should make up their minds to accept the truth which they have denied for so long Sachar (1996). According to the Holy Quran the Jews were disobedient to the teachings of God. Islam teaches that God told the Jews that in future he would send a new prophet and religion to them. To the Arabs the Haram and Aqsa is an important mosque coming second after Mecca and it was the place from where Muhammad flew to heaven to God. Muslims are required to remain in war until when judgment comes upon the Holy land. However not all Arabs hold on to this war belief since many Arab states have appeared ready to solve the Arab-Israeli conflict. Israel must move out of the land occupied in 1967 for Arabs to begin any negotiations towards accepting Israel as a state alongside Palestine. In this deal the Jews must let the capital of Palestine be made in East Jerusalem. The Arabs must also get a fair solution to the Palestine refugee case Milton-Edwards (2001). The current Israeli government turned down the offer by the Arabs and wanted further negotiations. This is an indication of Arab willingness and Israel refusal to get a solution. Future governments in Israel may even be worse. Arabs could not accept any negotiations since they have been too generous and they had offered too much. They had asked for the minimum possible by disclaiming their right to posses the 1948 lands. The Jewish and Palestine offered to disclaim some holy rights according to them but both are unwilling to let go easily Bregman et al, (1998). Both Palestinians and Jews hold dear their religious beliefs about this land. This makes it harder for leaders to make radical decisions for the purposes of peaces, better life and security for their people. The great world powers are putting pressure on the Jews and Arabs to reach a peaceful solution. Because of its history and importance the Holy land is a place where many people from all over the world are supposed to visit. This conflict prevents the growth of the economy of the region and has the potential to convert the area into a place of war very easily. Religion was originally a way of reaching God but now it is being used as a display of who is nearer to God than the other. This is a major reason why an easy solution to this conflict is still far a way Cohen (1987). When Israel still remains in the Palestinian areas leave alone the Jewish settlements the situation will remain difficult. Arabs will always exert pressure and force until their land is returned to them by Israel. This is among other areas involves the case of Jerusalem. Israel maintains the Palestinian territories as bargaining chips in the conflict between them and Palestine. Israel holds on these territories since they think giving them a way piecemeal reduces their bargaining power, gives them no advantage and multiplies their cost of maintaining the remaining lands. Israel has no practical reason why it cannot give back Palestinian territory if it can receive demilitarization on a along term in return Sachar, H. A (1996). The present situation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict remains what it was half a century ago. Israelis are full of fear and distrust for the Arabs. They think that territories belonging to Palestine if surrendered they would be turned into strong holds for armies from the Arab world seeking to destroy Israel. They fear the sovereign Palestine would favor the establishment of Islamic terrorist groups. Israel policing on these territories directly was ineffective even in the refugee camps for Palestinians Sachar (1996). This policy has no sustainability in it unless when Israel disregards human rights and executes it vigorously as it is. Israelis reason that their small territory puts economic limitation on them is false. That means the lives of Israelis are being swapped for economic benefit. Israelis should therefore that they are not dying for principles but for money. In really sense when Israel’s territory is limited they should be happy because it will enhance their competitiveness as is the case in Switzerland, South Korea and even their own Negev desert where irrigation has increased production tremendously Milton-Edwards (2001). Jerusalem is also a huge issue for Israel. The Jews claim to be attached to it emotionally for thousands of years. Muslims lost it in 1967 and were greatly humiliated through this loss. This cannot give them rest for all their years on earth until they witness its restoration. Arabs cab only come close to ceding Jerusalem if the Muslim shrines within Israel and the Dome of the Rock are blown up by Israeli terrorists. Even though this may happen, the Arabs with determination will still struggle to rebuild these places Bregman et al., (1998). The holy places of Palestinians and Muslims in general fell under the control of inferior Israelis by religion and they have to give them back. For safety, Israel should offer to Jordan the holy places of Muslims so that Muslims can access them for worship without much trouble. The Golan Heights captured by Israel in 1967 is another source of conflict. These heights belonged to Arab and Islamic Syria and they should be returned. They hold economic and military significance to Israel but occupying them unlawfully does not help them in any way Cohen (1987). In most case the religious older Israelis and young radicals are the ones supporting the annexation of territories belonging to Palestine. These groups have a lower likelihood to die if war begins. The question is whether they would stand a war between Israel and Arab states. Could they stand the death of their loved ones, their own deaths or even paying high taxes for securing land without any benefit to Israel? Since Jews cannot stand the cost of terrorism by Muslims they will have to leave the territories belonging to Palestine without any good will. Sachar (1996). The truth of the matter about the Israeli-Arab conflict is that giving up the land willingly or forcefully will not appease the Arabs. There must be certain groups of Muslims or Arabs ready to go to war with Israel openly or as terrorists. Arab Xenophobia is the cause of war and not necessarily useless Israeli land which only serves as a pretext for the conflict. The continued existence of Jews and their alien culture and religion within the Middle East is a thorn in the flesh for Arabs Sachar (1996). The continued existence of Palestinians who were displaced by conflicts who long for their homes within the present Israeli state’s borders is a great contributor to the current conflict and remains an open sore. In Saudi Arabia for example these Palestinians are denied the right to obtain citizenship so that the claims of the Arabs on Israeli existence in the Middle East are not diluted. Israelis have also left Arab countries by themselves or by compulsion and have settled in Israel. These two settlement issues are contributing factors to the conflict. Israelis also demand that if they grant any right to the Palestinians they must do that in exchange with comprehensive lasting peace Bregman et al., (1998). Israelis think that if they allow more Muslims and Arabs in particular to live within their borders then their country would be destabilized and their democracy threatened. More fuel is added to this conflict by awakening Islamic fundamentalists. This awakening is supposed to bring the Arab Muslim world back on track. After trying out many ideologies from the west with no success it is time to revert to tradition. Muslims dislike the moral decay exhibited by Western civilization which is represented in the Middle East by Israel Milton-Edwards (2001). Population density in the region is growing each day which means the level of scarcity of land is growing. Water scarcity already a problem is being intensified by high population growth. International terrorist are getting more sophisticated. Their offensive and defensive activities are things to that have the potential to cause instability in the Middle East. The increase of education as well as knowledge and sophistication in modern weapons give confidence to various forces about the possibility of engaging in battles in future with great victory Cohen (1987). Sachar (1996), notes that threats about mass destruction weapon proliferation grow every year with the fear of war between Israel and Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas or any other Islamic army. Since the revolution in Iran in 1979, both religious and political leaders have expressed their desire to wipe out Israel and support terrorists against the Jews. This is more fuel to the conflict. Iran has already managed to support and fund Hezbollah in a war against Israel and more could be on the way. This support is inspired by Iran to reclaim the Holy land back to the Arabs according to the words of the Holy Quran. The Arab lands should only be dedicated to Allah’s worship and no other religion based on ungodly beliefs Bregman et al., (1998). Conclusion In conclusion the reasons fueling the Arab-Israeli conflict have been examined deeply. This conflict has existed since 1948 and still continues. Israelis have chosen to remain on Palestinian land and this has been the major source of the problem. Jews are staying in the Middle East illegitimately since it is exclusively Arab land with one religion, culture and social life. Israel must therefore think of how to end the conflict by doing what is necessary according to the expectations of the Arabs. Otherwise there is no possible solution to this conflict since the issues that created it are expanding and getting worse. Population, water scarcity and weapons of mass destruction have been cited as possible factors that will play a big role presently and in the future in exacerbating the conflict. Arabs at no one point will be willing to surrender and abandon their demands since they deserve to have their way. References Bregman, A. and el-Tahri, J. (1998).The Fifty Years’ War: Israel and the Arabs, London. Cohen, M. (1987). The Origins and Evolution of the Arab-Zionist Conflict; Berkeley: University of California Press. Milton-Edwards, B. (2001) Conflicts in the Middle East since 1945.Amazon. Publishers. New York. Sachar, H. A 1996 History of Israel from the Rise of Zionism to Our Time; New York Alfred Knopf. Read More