The question of who is right between Israel and Palestine
has been one of the most debated and emotionally charged issues in modern
history. For decades, the world has witnessed a struggle that has claimed
countless lives, uprooted millions, and caused deep suffering.
At its heart, this is not only a political conflict but a
human tragedy. It is about the dispossession of a people, the denial of their
basic rights, and the fight for their homeland.
To truly understand who is right, we must move beyond
slogans and headlines. We need to look closely at the history, the laws, and
the lived experiences of those most affected. When we do this, the picture
becomes much clearer.
A Brief History of the Land
Before 1948, the land historically known as Palestine was
home to a diverse population of Arabs, including Muslims, Christians, and Jews.
For centuries, these communities coexisted, sharing the same cities, markets,
and traditions. That harmony began to change under the British Mandate after
World War I, when Jewish immigration to the region increased. Many of these
immigrants were fleeing persecution in Europe, particularly during and after
the Holocaust.
The tragedy of Jewish suffering is undeniable, but the way
the state of Israel was created came at the expense of the indigenous
Palestinian population. In 1947, the United Nations proposed dividing the land
into two states, one Jewish and one Arab.
The plan gave a majority of the land to the Jewish state,
even though Jewish people were a minority at the time. Palestinians rejected
the plan, viewing it as unfair and unjust.
The following year, war broke out, and over 750,000
Palestinians were expelled or fled from their homes. This mass displacement
became known as the Nakba, meaning catastrophe in Arabic.
The Nakba and Its Ongoing Legacy
The Nakba was not a one-time event but the beginning of a
tragedy that continues today. Palestinian villages were emptied, homes were
destroyed, and families were scattered across refugee camps in neighboring
countries. Many still keep the keys to the homes they lost as symbols of hope
and justice.
Generations have grown up in exile, unable to return to
their ancestral lands. International law affirms the right of refugees to
return, yet this right has been consistently denied to Palestinians. The Nakba
lives on in the collective memory of the Palestinian people, fueling their
determination to resist displacement and reclaim their rights.
The Occupation and International Law
After the 1967 war, Israel occupied the West Bank, EastJerusalem, and Gaza. These areas are recognized by the United Nations as
occupied Palestinian territories.
International law, including the Fourth Geneva Convention,
clearly prohibits an occupying power from transferring its population into
occupied territory. Yet Israel has continued to build and expand settlements in
these areas.
These settlements take Palestinian land, limit access to
resources, and divide communities. They are one of the biggest obstacles to
achieving a lasting peace.
Despite repeated UN resolutions calling for an end to
settlement construction, Israel has ignored these demands, further entrenching
the occupation.
Life Under Occupation
Palestinians in the West Bank live under a web of
restrictions. Checkpoints, military patrols, and separation barriers make movement
difficult. Even traveling short distances can take hours due to inspections and
roadblocks. Farmers struggle to reach their fields, students face delays in
getting to school, and patients have difficulty reaching hospitals.
In Gaza, the situation is even more desperate. Israel
maintains a blockade that limits the entry of goods and people. This blockade
has created a humanitarian crisis, crippling the economy and leaving many
without adequate healthcare, clean water, or electricity. The United Nations has
warned that Gaza could become uninhabitable if conditions do not improve.
Human Rights Violations
Major human rights organizations, including Amnesty
International and Human Rights Watch, have accused Israel of committing crimes
of apartheid.
This term refers to a system of governance that
discriminates against one group in favor of another. In the occupied
territories, Palestinians face different laws, courts, and restrictions than
Israeli settlers.
Home demolitions are common, often carried out as punishment
or to make way for settlement expansion. Arbitrary arrests, including of
children, are frequently reported.
Peaceful protests are often met with tear gas, rubber
bullets, or live ammunition. These are not isolated cases but part of a consistent
pattern documented over decades.
The Self-Defense Argument
Israel often frames its actions as self-defense. While every
state has the right to protect its citizens, this does not justify
disproportionate force against civilians.
International law requires military action to distinguish
between combatants and civilians and to be proportionate to the threat faced.
In many Israeli military operations, large numbers of
civilian casualties have been recorded, including children. Airstrikes have
destroyed entire neighborhoods, leaving thousands homeless.
These actions raise serious questions about whether they are
truly defensive or are part of maintaining control over Palestinian territory.
Why the World Should Care
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is not only a regional
issue but a global moral challenge. It tests the international community’s
commitment to human rights, equality, and justice.
Turning a blind eye to the suffering of Palestinians
undermines these principles everywhere.
Prolonged injustice fuels instability. As long as
Palestinians are denied their rights, peace will remain out of reach.
Supporting Palestinian freedom is not about taking sides in
a political rivalry but about standing for basic human dignity and fairness.
Who Is Right?
Looking at the facts, the history, and the reality on the
ground, the Palestinians have the stronger claim to justice.
Their struggle is about survival, identity, and the right to
live freely in their homeland. They are not seeking to deny Israel’s existence
but to secure their own.
Israel, as the occupying power, has the greater
responsibility to end the conflict. This means ending the occupation, halting
settlement expansion, and recognizing Palestinian rights. Real peace will only
come when Palestinians are treated as equals under the law.
The Role of the International Community
The international community must move beyond words and take
meaningful action. This includes holding Israel accountable for violations of
international law and supporting Palestinian development. Economic measures,
diplomatic pressure, and humanitarian aid can all be part of a strategy to
promote justice.
Countries that genuinely care about peace and stability
should use their influence to push for a fair resolution. Without such efforts,
the cycle of violence and displacement will continue.
A Vision for the Future
The future does not have to be one of endless conflict.
Palestinians and Israelis could live side by side in peace if there is
equality, justice, and mutual respect. This vision requires courage,
compromise, and a willingness to confront the truth about the past.
Peace will only be possible when the root causes of the
conflict are addressed. This means recognizing the Nakba, ending the
occupation, and granting Palestinians the same rights enjoyed by Israelis.
Without these steps, peace will remain a distant dream.
FAQ
Why do Palestinians claim the land as theirs?
Palestinians have lived on the land for centuries. They view
themselves as the indigenous population whose families, homes, and livelihoods
were taken during the creation of Israel in 1948 and the subsequent occupation.
Is Israel’s occupation legal under international law?
No. The United Nations and international law recognize the
West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem as occupied Palestinian territories. The
building of settlements there violates the Fourth Geneva Convention.
Do Palestinians want to destroy Israel?
No. The Palestinian movement is about securing freedom,
dignity, and the right to live in their homeland. While some fringe groups may
call for Israel’s destruction, this is not the mainstream Palestinian position.
Why does the world not act more decisively?
Many countries have political and economic ties with Israel,
making them hesitant to apply real pressure. Others fear being drawn into a
politically sensitive issue. However, without action, the situation will not
improve.