The King David Hotel of Jerusalem is a significant building in the city, constructed with locally sourced pink limestone and established in 1931 by Ezra Mosseri, a wealthy Egyptian Jewish banker. The hotel stands as a symbol of Israel’s Jewish heritage and tumultuous history, overlooking the Old City that holds significance for all three Abrahamic faiths. During the British Mandate of Palestine, the hotel hosted royalties and other prominent dignitaries. The southern wing of the hotel was used by the British for administrative and military purposes during the Mandatory period.
On July 22, 1946, members of Irgun, a right-wing Zionist underground militia, carried out a deadly attack on the hotel by planting explosives in the basement. The explosion resulted in the collapse of part of the hotel, causing the death of at least 91 people and injuring 46 others. This bombing, the deadliest by Zionists against the British, marked one of the early terrorist incidents in modern West Asia. Subsequently, the British found it increasingly challenging to maintain control over Palestine, leading to their decision to seek the United Nations’ intervention to vacate the Mandate.
In 1947, the UN General Assembly established a Special Committee on Palestine (UNSCOP), which proposed the partition of Palestine into an independent Arab State, an independent Jewish State, and international trusteeship for the City of Jerusalem. The Jewish Agency accepted the plan, while Arab nations opposed the partition. On May 14, 1948, the Jewish People’s Council proclaimed the establishment of the State of Israel, leading to the first Arab-Israeli war the following day.
The war resulted in significant territorial changes, with Israel gaining control over more land than initially proposed by the UN partition plan. This event marked the beginning of the ongoing conflicts between Israel and Palestine, known to Palestinians as Nakba (catastrophe).
Today, Palestinians seek an independent state based on the 1967 border, encompassing the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem. Various Palestinian factions have shown willingness to accept this border, while Israel’s stance on the two-state solution has shifted to the right in recent years. East Jerusalem has been annexed by Israel, and the West Bank remains under direct Israeli military control since 1967.
Peace efforts
The history of peace efforts between Israel and Palestine dates back to the late 20th century. The Oslo Accords in the 1990s aimed to establish a framework for peace and a two-state solution, but the process faced numerous challenges and setbacks, leading to a lack of resolution in the conflict.
Efforts by various international bodies and leaders, including the Arab League and the Middle East Quartet, have been made to revive peace talks and find a lasting solution to the conflict. However, the complex nature of the issues, including settlements, borders, and the status of Jerusalem, have posed significant challenges to achieving peace between the two sides.
The permanence of conflict
Despite numerous attempts to address the Israel-Palestine conflict, a lasting resolution remains elusive. The power dynamics between the two sides, Israel’s military strength, and the lack of international intervention have contributed to the sustainability of the conflict. The recent violence in Gaza and the ongoing occupation highlight the urgent need for a comprehensive and just solution to the long-standing conflict.
Lopsided response
The unequal power dynamics between Israel and Palestine have hindered the peace process and perpetuated the conflict. Israel’s military superiority and international support have enabled it to maintain control over Palestinian territories and expand settlements, further complicating the path to peace. The lack of accountability for Israel’s actions and the absence of meaningful international pressure have allowed the status quo to persist, fueling continued violence and instability in the region.
Unsustainable status quo
The current situation in Israel and Palestine is unsustainable, with ongoing violence, occupation, and lack of progress towards a peaceful resolution. The recent conflict in Gaza and the broader issues at play highlight the urgent need for international intervention and a renewed commitment to finding a just and lasting solution to the conflict. Without meaningful action and a shift in the power dynamics between the two sides, the cycle of violence and instability is likely to continue, further deepening the roots of the conflict.
Published – March 20, 2025 07:37 pm IST
