The Hundred Years' War on Palestine

"In the name of God, let Palestine be left alone." Yusuf Diya al-Khalidi’s letter to Theodor Herzl marked the prophetic beginnings of over a century-long struggle for Palestine—a battle fought over land, identity, and survival.

1. British Rule and the Birth of an Unequal Conflict

British colonial rule in Palestine laid the foundation for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In 1917, the British issued the Balfour Declaration, promising support for a Jewish homeland in Palestine. The declaration ignored the political rights of the Arab population, creating a colonial framework that privileged Jewish migration and settlement.

Palestinians hoped for independence similar to their neighbors like Syria and Iraq. However, their petitions to British authorities for self-rule were repeatedly denied. Meanwhile, the Mandate for Palestine—issued by the League of Nations in 1922—facilitated Jewish self-governance while excluding the Arab majority from similar rights.

Over the next decade, European Jewish immigration surged, supported by foreign funds and political backing. This shift made Palestinians wary of losing their homeland, intensifying tensions and fostering resistance movements against colonial and Zionist forces.

Examples

• The British billed the Balfour Declaration as supportive of both Jews and local Arabs, but only guaranteed Jewish national aspirations.
• The mandate established legal provisions for Jewish settlements, ignoring the Arab population's land rights.
• Palestinian congresses from 1919 to 1928 persistently demanded independence, with no success.

2. The Nakba and the Loss of Homeland

The Nakba, or "catastrophe," uprooted Palestinian society and altered the region forever. In 1948, Zionist militias initiated a violent campaign, displacing 700,000 Palestinians. Villages were destroyed, and refugees fled to neighboring countries or remained in scattered enclaves.

The UN's partition plan for Palestine in 1947 gave disproportionate land to the Jewish state, amplifying tensions. Arab resistance was fractured and ineffective, largely due to fragmented alliances between neighboring nations. Zionist militias leveraged their well-organized military strategies to take control of 80% of Palestine.

The Nakba not only resulted in the physical dispossession of Palestinian lands but also left emotional and cultural scars as entire generations were forced into exile, transforming the struggle into an international refugee crisis.

Examples

• Plan Dalet, implemented by Zionist forces, targeted towns like Jaffa and Haifa, leading to mass displacements.
• By 1949, Israel declared itself a state, controlling the majority of historical Palestine.
• Neighboring Arab nations, such as Jordan, prioritized their territorial ambitions over meaningful resistance.

3. The Six-Day War: Expansion and Resistance

In 1967, the Six-Day War reshaped the landscape of the conflict. Israel launched preemptive strikes against surrounding Arab nations, capturing East Jerusalem, the West Bank, Gaza, and the Golan Heights. The war intensified Palestinian oppression and crushed hopes of reclaiming lost territory.

The war signified the beginning of a stronger Israeli-American alliance, as the United States provided its diplomatic and material support. In its aftermath, the UN passed Resolution 242, which ignored Palestinian nationhood while solidifying Israeli territorial gains.

Despite these setbacks, Palestinian resistance emerged reinvigorated. Groups like Fatah and the PLO began advocating for liberation, with writers and activists reviving national identity and fueling a sense of unity within the diaspora.

Examples

• Israel captured territories where millions of Palestinians lived, further restricting their autonomy.
• President Johnson endorsed Israel’s military efforts, aligning American interests with Israeli regional dominance.
• Palestinian leaders, such as Emile Habibi, gained prominence for their cultural and political activism.

4. Lebanon War: A Crushing Blow to the PLO

The 1982 Lebanon War led to devastating losses for Palestinians. Israel invaded Lebanon to dismantle the PLO’s military and political infrastructure. The war brought widespread destruction to Beirut, forcing the PLO leadership to withdraw from the country.

Though weakened, the PLO's exile inspired a resurgence of resistance within occupied territories. The atrocities during the war, such as the Sabra and Shatila massacres, fueled outrage globally and intensified calls for Palestinian justice.

Even though the war disrupted the PLO, it sparked grassroots movements within Palestine. The absence of centralized leadership encouraged the rise of localized activism, which would later become a hallmark of future uprisings.

Examples

• The Israeli-backed Phalangist militias massacred over 3,000 civilians in Palestinian refugee camps.
• Ariel Sharon’s aggressive strategies aimed to demoralize Palestinian nationalism.
• The PLO faced international criticism but retained symbolic significance for the Palestinian cause.

5. The First Intifada: Civil Disobedience as Power

The first intifada, launched in 1987, marked a turning point in Palestinian resistance. Unlike previous militarized efforts, this movement relied on unarmed protests, boycotts, and strikes. It united Palestinians across socio-economic backgrounds.

While predominantly peaceful, the intifada's images became iconic—stones flung at Israeli tanks symbolized a people's defiance against overwhelming military control. Yet, Israel's harsh response, involving arrests and killings, further galvanized global opposition against its occupation policies.

The uprising forced Israel to the negotiation table, yet the Oslo Accords that followed failed to deliver fair outcomes for Palestinians. The Accords created an illusion of self-rule while allowing Israel continued dominance over security and border policies.

Examples

• After the intifada, international awareness of Palestinian struggles surged, raising support.
• Oslo I and II established the Palestinian Authority but stripped it of meaningful power.
• Yasser Arafat’s return to Palestine was treated as a victory but masked long-term setbacks.

6. Hamas and the Cycle of Violence

Ongoing frustrations with the Oslo Accords gave rise to Hamas, a militant Islamist party. As the PLO appeared ineffective in resisting occupation, Hamas offered an alternative, embracing armed resistance and political defiance.

Hamas’s electoral success in 2006 stunned the international community. Israel responded by imposing blockades and launching military campaigns against Gaza. The resulting humanitarian crisis devastated Palestinians, leading to unemployment, restricted movement, and widespread poverty.

While Hamas’s methods evoked criticism, its rise reflected deep popular dissatisfaction with failed negotiations. The conflict fragmented further, with strife between Palestinian factions and intensified Israeli reprisal measures.

Examples

• Israel’s siege on Gaza after Hamas’s victory turned the territory into an open-air prison.
• Bombing campaigns like the 2014 Gaza War disproportionately affected Palestinian civilians.
• Hamas maintained its influence despite international isolation and relentless military pressure.

7. A Century of Struggle and Uncertain Futures

After more than a century, the Palestinian struggle remains unresolved. Colonial policies, unilateral actions like the US recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, and continuous settlement expansion stymie peace efforts.

Palestinian resistance now takes many forms, ranging from the grassroots Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement to diplomatic appeals. Both Palestinians and Israelis feel deeply connected to the land, complicating reconciliation efforts.

Apartheid-style policies in Israel and international neglect further heighten the stakes. To break the cycle, reconciliation must intertwine justice with an acknowledgment of shared humanity and heritage.

Examples

• The Trump administration’s policy shifts prioritized Israeli sovereignty at Palestine’s expense.
• Laws like the “Nation-State Bill” discriminated against Palestinians within Israel itself.
• BDS campaigns continue to gain traction globally, demonstrating the power of nonviolent pressure.

Takeaways

1. Learn about the historical roots of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to build a more informed perspective.
2. Support grassroots movements advocating for the rights of both Israelis and Palestinians, like BDS or organizations promoting dialogue.
3. Encourage leaders within your country to adopt policies promoting equality, coexistence, and international humanitarian standards in the region.