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- The United Nations recognizes over 4.25 million Palestinian Refugees created as a resultUNRWA: Who is a Palestinian Refugee?
- Most negotiations focus on a two-state solution
- Several scholars have suggested a single-state solution, where the rights of both parties are preserved under a single nation, may have greater chances for success
- A six-month cease fire between Israel and Hamas ended in December 2008
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The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict is a dispute between the state of Israel and the Palestinians and the conflict between two distinct national identities within the same territory.
The conflict dates back to the 1917 Balfour Declaration, a British foreign policy statement recognizing the Israels right to statehood, and subsequent administrative policies under the British Mandate of Palestine from 1920 to 1948. Though unease was evident during this period, it became more evident after Israel officially declared its sovereign statehood in 1948.Washington Report: The British Mandate Period
On January 6, 2009, Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak proposed a cease fire plan to end the current Israeli attacks on Gaza.Reuters: Egypt announces Israel-Palestinian ceasefire plan (January 6, 2009)
Key Issues
- Division of JerusalemBBC: Obstacles to peace: Jerusalem] (May 22, 2007)
- The Palestinian Refugee crisis and Palestinian Right of ReturnBBC: Right of Return: Palestinian Dream (April 15, 2004)
- Borders, specifically those of The West Bank and Gaza Strip
- Security and an end of violence
- Israeli SettlementsCAMERA: Backgrounder: The Debate About Settlements (June 13, 2007)
- Control of water, most of which come from the Golan Heights
Key Events
- Balfour Declaration 1917
- British Mandate of Palestine 1920-1948
- 1948 Arab Israeli War and al Nakba
- Establishment of Israel and the PLO
- The Six Day War 1967
- The Yom Kippur War 1973
- 1982 Lebanon War
- The First Intifada 1987-1993
- The Oslo Peace Process
- The Second Intifada 2000
Negotiations
Most peace talks have focused on finding a two-state solution, meaning the formation of separate Israel and Palestinian states. Negotiations for resolution have slowed since the violence of the Second Intifada and election of Hamas, a Palestinian opposition party considered a terrorist organization by Israel and other nations, in the Gaza Strip. A six-month cease fire between Hamas and Israel ended in December 2008.ABC News: Israel, Hamas begin ceasefire (June 19, 2008) The New York Times: Israel Continues Gaza Attack... (January 2, 2009)Israel Attack on Gaza
After the cease fire ended, tension escalated between Israel and Hamas. Hamas fired rockets into Israel, saying that they were a revenge for three Hamas members killed by Israel. On December 29, 2008, Israel launched air strikes on the Gaza Strip. As ground troops amassed along the border to prepare for a possible invasion of the Gaza Strip, Israel allowed those with foreign passports to leave the area. Meanwhile the chorus of foreign governments, along with the United Nations, continued to call for a cease-fire.The New York Times: Israel Continues Gaza Attack... (January 2, 2009) On January 3, 2009, Israel launched a ground invasion into Gaza, reportedly in an attempt to put an end to Hamas firing rockets into Israel from Gaza. As of January 3, 2009, as the violent conflict in the area reached the one-week point, a reported 4 Israelis had been killed and 59 were wounded, while the Palestinians had incurred at least 460 deaths and an estimated 2,750 injuries.CNN: Israeli ground troops enter Gaza (January 3, 2008)Egypt's Cease Fire Plan
After discussions with French president Nicolas Sarkozy, Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak proposed a cease-fire plan for the conflict. The plan included an immediate ceasefire for a limited period, followed by diplomatic discussions held in Egypt.Reuters: Egypt announces Israel-Palestinian ceasefire plan (January 6, 2009)-
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Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Questions
Does the Israeli-Palestinian conflict have the potential to become World War 3? 7 AnswersThis will not escalate into WWIII. Despite the US interest in supporting Israel and despite the many Arab countries that support the Palestinians in Gaza, I do... read more
Can conflict at the workplace affect the efficiency of one's work? 1 AnswerWorkplace conflicts absolutely have an effect on a person's work performance. How could a person concentrate on getting work done when they are preoccupied wit... read more
Why does the United States get involved with foreign conflicts that we cannot handle? 2 AnswersIts a double edged sword. We are a super power, so if we dont then shame on us. If we do shame on us. Its a lose lose situation that comes with the title. i... read more
Values conflict: Derail the train or crush your son or daughter? 2 AnswersAh yes, save one or save many... In this case, my own child or strangers. My heart would override my head in this one and save my child. Yes, because those on t... read more




