Scratch beneath the surface of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to reveal its layers of history and perceptions, implications, and potential solutions.
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03 Nov 2023
8 Min Read
Afrina Arfa (Student Writer), Nellie Chan (Editor)
Scratch beneath the surface of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to reveal its layers of history and perceptions, implications, and potential solutions.
In early October 2023, Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, launched an unprecedented, multi-front attack on Israel, following a long-standing history of conflict over land and independence that has plagued the regions. In response, Israel readily declared war against Hamas, once again drawing the world’s attention to the tumultuous future of the two regions and the 2.3 million people trapped within some 365 square kilometres of land — the Gaza Strip.
Under the directive of Israel's defence minister, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) carried out a complete siege of Gaza, blocking the entry of food, fuel, and water, threatening the well-being of its residents. Since then, the two parties have traded daily rocket fire, and the conflict risks spreading to the neighbouring countries of Lebanon and Syria as cross-border strikes escalate. But what had transpired in a matter of days was not arbitrary; it has deep historical roots tracing back almost a century.
In the late 19th century, the concept of Zionism began to emerge. Founded by secular Jews in response to anti-Semitism prevalent in Europe at the time, they believed in a right to a Jewish state in the Land of Israel. To support the Zionist movement, the British government issued the Balfour Declaration in 1917, promising ‘a national home for the Jewish people.’ The end of World War I witnessed the Ottoman Empire ceding control of Palestine to British rule, and the end of World War II made that promise a reality as tens of thousands of Jews migrated into Palestine.
Without the agreement of Palestine nor the neighbouring Arab states, the United Nations (UN) proposed the partition of Palestine into Arab and Jewish states. The plan was strongly rejected because it allotted approximately 55% of Palestine to the Jewish state, including most of the fertile coastal region. Nevertheless, the State of Israel was established on May 14, 1948, sparking the first war of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.
From 1947 to 1949, more than 500 Palestinian villages, towns, and cities were depopulated and destroyed by Zionist paramilitaries during the war. An estimated 15,000 Palestinians lost their lives, including in dozens of massacres, and 750,000 Palestinians were displaced — an event referred to as Nakba, meaning 'catastrophe' in Arabic. After the war, which Israel won, Palestine was divided among the State of Israel, Transjordan (which later became Jordan) controlling the West Bank, and Egypt controlling the Gaza Strip.
However, Palestine would later come under Israel’s control during the Six-Day War from June 5 to 10, 1967, which led to a second displacement of Palestinians, referred to as Naksa, meaning 'setback' in Arabic. From 1987 to 2007, two Palestinian uprisings, known as Intifadas emerged but ended with Israel imposing a land, air, and naval blockade on the Gaza Strip. After 2007, Israel launched a series of military assaults on Gaza, specifically in 2008, 2012, 2014, 2021, and the most recent in 2023, resulting in the deaths of thousands of Palestinians, including many children, and the destruction of buildings in the region that would be impossible to rebuild due to the siege.
As the Israeli-Palestinian conflict escalates, news outlets across the globe are on the edge of their seats, eager to report on it. The mainstream media serves as the primary channel of information for a global audience. Unfortunately, information that may have been identical at the point of input can vary significantly when it reaches the point of output, with location playing a big role.
For decades leading up to the attack by Hamas, the world has been divided, with different nations taking sides. The United States (US), the European Union, and most Western countries have supported Israel from the outset, as evident in Western media. Palestinians and their advocates have constantly called out Western media for their bias toward Israel, bringing scrutiny to notable names, including BBC, The New York Times, and The Guardian.
For example, when Israeli police attacked Palestinian worshipers at the holy site of Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem on April 15. When looking at the footage, the dynamic is clear: forces with gear and guns confronting worshipers in prayer. However, Western media coverage routinely labels the conflict as 'complicated', portraying this state violence as 'clashes' and 'tensions'.
Palestine, on the other hand, found support from two major players, Russia and China, along with other Middle Eastern and Asian countries, including Malaysia. Notably, Russia and China had refused to condemn Hamas, with Russian President Vladimir Putin blaming US policy for the absence of peace in the Middle East.
Then, there is social media. Social media plays a central role in coverage, encouraging individuals to share their own narratives and enabling the rapid dissemination of information. Footage that has gone viral shows rocket fire during the conflict, destruction and death in Gaza, as well as protests occurring worldwide, garnering support for Palestine from all corners of the globe. As what we consume then becomes our opinions and those of the public — this can be both beneficial and potentially perilous — we have to be discerning.
As a predominantly Muslim country, Malaysia has shown support and alliance with Palestine. On October 17, 2023, Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim stated in Parliament that Malaysia stands with Palestine and reiterated the nation’s readiness to provide immediate humanitarian assistance to the affected people in Gaza. Malaysia also anticipates more contributions from the private sector, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and private individuals. While Malaysia’s stance on the conflict has been made apparent, its implications on the nation’s economy and trade are anything but.
Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Aziz, the Minister of Investment Trade and Industry, stated that the impact on trade is currently small. However, they are closely monitoring the conflict to assess the possibility of escalation or its potential spread to other countries. If it does, it could affect not only our trade but also our tourism, investor confidence, and diplomatic and political considerations.
Among the diplomatic and political considerations, the most significant impacts have been in travel regulations and foreign policies. Due to Malaysia's stance on the conflict, Malaysians are restricted from visiting Israel. Moreover, Malaysia emphasises that its foreign policy would continue to prioritise the struggle to liberate the Palestinian land and its people. This includes urging the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), in particular, to continue pressuring Israel to end its apartheid policy and inhumane actions against the Palestinian people.
The answer to resolving the conflict has always been without question; it is the actions that have been questionable. The only viable solution is to divide the land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, creating two states for the two people, aptly named the two-state solution. The idea has garnered support from many countries and international organisations in the pursuit of a just and lasting peace. However, it may not be as straightforward as it sounds. Territorial disputes, especially regarding Israeli settlements in the West Bank, are one of the main obstacles to achieving a two-state solution. Palestinians see these settlements as deterrents to creating a Palestinian state, while Israelis argue for their right to build homes in their ancestral homeland. This dispute also extends to Jerusalem, where both parties claim the city as their capital, as it hosts some of the holiest sites in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
As the two-state solution becomes increasingly complicated to negotiate and satisfy both parties, arguments for a one-state solution have surfaced. This solution would merge Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip into a single democratic country. Although this solution has potential, it raises concerns about the demographic balance: Arab Muslims would outnumber Jews, potentially ending Israel's existence as a Jewish state, whereas Palestine would have to accommodate a large Jewish minority. Therefore, negotiations to attain regional stability and global peace remain uncertain, maintaining critical objectives for the world.
It is without a doubt that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has deep historical roots spanning decades. Comprehending the entirety of the events from its inception to the present requires diligent research from reputable news sources, which may not always be easy. Nonetheless, the accessibility of information through mainstream media and social media has expanded public awareness of the conflict, regardless of one’s perspective.
Although it may seem that individuals like you and I have limited power to alter the course of the conflict, staying well-informed is one way to help. We must be cautious of mainstream media, which may be swayed by political powers or agendas, and verify the information we consume. As it stands, word of mouth still holds value in sharing important information, and every voice counts toward the cause for Palestine. Thus, you can show your support through social media or by backing relevant NGOs such as Cinta Gaza Malaysia (CGM), Humanitarian Care Malaysia Berhad (MyCARE), and Global Peace Mission (GPM).
Afrina Arfa is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Finance and Economics (Honours) at Taylor's University. She spends her time indulging in economic news, hoping to inspire others to think beyond the constraints of society.
