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History of the Zionist Arab Conflict: A Century of Struggle, 1881-1998

Esteban Cox

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Published in Righteous Victims: A History Of The Zionist Arab Conflict 1881 1998

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Origins and the Rise of Zionism (1881-1914)

The origins of the Zionist Arab conflict can be traced back to the late 19th century, with the emergence of the Zionist movement and the rise of Arab nationalism. The Zionist movement, a political ideology promoting the establishment of a Jewish state in Palestine, was founded by Theodor Herzl in 1897. At the same time, Arab nationalism was gaining momentum, with the aim of establishing an independent Arab state or federation in the region.

Righteous Victims: A History of the Zionist-Arab Conflict, 1881-1998

by Benny Morris

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
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The Ottoman Empire, which controlled Palestine at the time, allowed Jewish settlers to establish agricultural settlements in the area. However, tensions between Jewish and Arab communities gradually escalated, particularly with the growing number of Jewish immigrants and the fears of Arab dispossession.

The Balfour Declaration and World War I (1914-1918)

During World War I, the British government issued the Balfour Declaration in 1917, which expressed support for the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine. This declaration was welcomed by the Zionist movement but met with opposition from Arab leaders, who viewed it as a threat to their national aspirations.

After the war, the Ottoman Empire was defeated, and Palestine came under British control as part of the Mandate for Palestine. The British authorities attempted to balance the conflicting interests of the Jewish and Arab communities, but tensions continued to rise.

The Arab Revolt and the British Mandate (1919-1948)

In 1929, a major Arab revolt against British rule and Jewish immigration broke out in Palestine. The revolt was suppressed by the British, but it highlighted the growing frustration and resistance among the Arab population.

Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, tensions continued to escalate between Jewish and Arab communities. The British Mandate became increasingly difficult to maintain, and it became clear that a partition of Palestine was necessary.

The United Nations Partition Plan and the 1948 War (1947-1949)

In 1947, the United Nations passed a resolution to partition Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states. The Jewish leadership accepted the plan, while the Arab leadership rejected it.

The State of Israel was declared on May 14, 1948, and was immediately recognized by the United States and the Soviet Union. This led to the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, in which several Arab states invaded Israel. The war ended with a victory for Israel, but it also resulted in the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians.

The Arab-Israeli Wars and the Search for Peace (1949-1998)

After the 1948 war, tensions between Israel and its Arab neighbors continued. There were several major wars between Israel and Egypt, Syria, Jordan, and other Arab states, including the Six-Day War in 1967, the Yom Kippur War in 1973, and the First Intifada in the late 1980s.

Throughout this period, efforts were also made to resolve the conflict through negotiations and diplomatic initiatives. The Camp David Accords in 1978 led to a peace treaty between Israel and Egypt, but other efforts, such as the Oslo Accords in the 1990s, failed to resolve the underlying issues of the conflict.

Legacy and Ongoing Challenges

The Zionist Arab conflict has had a profound and lasting impact on the Middle East and the world. The displacement of Palestinians during the 1948 war created a refugee crisis that continues to this day. The conflict has also been a major factor in regional instability and has hindered economic development in the region.

Despite numerous efforts, a lasting peace settlement has not yet been achieved. The issues of bFree Downloads, refugees, and security remain highly contentious, and the conflict continues to be a source of tension and instability in the region.

Righteous Victims: A History of the Zionist-Arab Conflict, 1881-1998

by Benny Morris

4.6 out of 5