Palestine; From independent state to freedom struggle

Introduction;

The story of Palestine spans centuries, marked by a rich history and a complex contemporary struggle for freedom and self-determination The land of Palestine has a unique status as a symbol of patience and perseverance from being a historically independent state to its current status. The Palestinian issue, with its strong historical, policy, and humanitarian dimensions, is one of the world's longest-running conflicts. The issue remains to be resolved in the UN and is currently pending resolution.

The Formation of Palestinian Identity

A distinctive Palestinian identity, many of them shaped by an ancient historical background, culture and languages, began to appear at the beginning of the 20th century. This sense of identity laid the foundation for future Palestinian struggles for self-determination. Palestinian participation was a major component of the Middle East Renaissance during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Palestinian Arabs also had opportunities to serve the Ottoman Empire, and Palestinian deputies sat in the Ottoman parliaments of 1877, 1908, 1912, and 1914. A number of Arabic newspapers were published in the country before 1914, expressing opposition to Arab nationalism and Zionism.

World War I and After

After World War I, the Ottoman Empire collapsed and the British and French power was raised in the Middle East. This period of power transition laid the foundations of the Palestinian struggle for independence.

 Sykes-Picot Agreement

Despite Britain's promises of independence to the Palestinian Arabs during World War I, major powers including Britain, France, and Russia ignored the future of Palestine and the aspirations of its people. In May 1916, they agreed to the Sykes-Picot Agreement, which proposed the internationalization of most of Palestine. The war brought disease, unemployment, and poverty to Palestine, and by October 1918 British forces had gained control of the entire area. After the war, the organization of Palestine became a major concern for the British and French governments. Britain, which had established a military administration after capturing Jerusalem, sought international approval to continue its occupation. The San Remo Conference ratified the British Mandate, resulting in the replacement of military rule by a civilian administration in July 1920 with Zionist Sir Herbert Samuel as the first High Commissioner. The administration announced the Balfour Declaration in August, setting a quota of 16,500 Jewish immigrants for the first year.

  British Mandate

In 1917, the Balfour Declaration declared Britain's support for the "national home of the Jewish people" in Palestine, highlighting the historical link between the Jewish people and Palestine. In July 1922, the mandate of the Council of Delegates of Nations entrusted the Mandatory Power with the task of creating the conditions for political, administrative, and economic development for the establishment of a Jewish national home and the development of autonomous institutions. On September 29, 1923, the mandate was officially implemented, although certain groups were excluded from the provisions regarding the establishment of a Jewish national home.

Palestinian resistance

The Arab Revolt of 1936-39 marked a major revolt by the Palestinian Arabs. It began with violence inspired by religious and nationalist leaders, leading to general strikes and calls for independence. The rebellion intensified with attacks on ghettos and British installations. Despite British intervention, the rebellion continued into 1939, causing casualties and disruption. A royal commission recognized Arab aspirations for independence but recommended territorial partition. The rebellion persisted as Arab leaders were arrested, but it ultimately failed. As the prospect of war loomed in Europe, Britain changed its Palestine policy. It issued the White Paper in 1939, which recognized several Arab demands, including the establishment of an independent Palestinian state and Jewish resettlement. and includes restrictions on land transfers. Despite these concessions, the Arabs rejected the White Paper.

World War II

World War II created conflict between Zionist and British policies, as the Zionists aimed to increase Jewish immigration to Palestine while Britain sought to limit it. These tensions increased as the Holocaust gained support for the Zionist cause, particularly from US President Truman and Congress in 1945. Arab character of Palestine. The period from 1945 to 1948 was marked by unrestricted immigration and the Zionist struggle for a Jewish state, while the Arab goal was an independent Arab state in Palestine. British policy revolved around protecting its strategic interests in the Middle East, consistent with Arab cooperation.

United Nations Partition Plan (1947)

In 1947, the United Nations proposed a partition plan for Israel and Palestine, proposing the creation of separate Arab and Jewish states while maintaining economic unity with a cosmopolitan Jerusalem. In November 1947, the plan was approved by a two-thirds majority of the United Nations General Assembly after support from the U.S. Government and Soviet Union as well as pressure from proZionist sympathizers.. However, all Islamic Asian countries voted against it, and the Arab proposal challenging the legitimacy of partition was defeated. Whereas the Zionists welcomed the plan to recognize the Jewish state because it recognized the Jewish state and because it allotted a little more than half of Palestine (West Jordan). In 1937, Arabs strongly opposed partition in principle, mainly because of the significant Arab population in the proposed Jewish state. The British Mandate was to expire in August 1948, later adjusted to May 1948.

Declaration of the State of Israel (1948)

On May 14, 1948, the head of the Jewish Agency, David Ben-Gurion, announced the establishment of the State of Israel. This declaration marked a turning point in the region's history and led to the 1948 Arab-Israeli War.

Palestinian Displacement: The Nakba

Nakba, which literally means “catastrophe” in Arabic, is the name given to the uprooting of millions of Palestinians during the 1948 war. The aftermath of the Nakba continues to shape the Palestinian struggle for freedom.

Arab-Israeli Wars and Ongoing Conflicts

After a UN resolution in 1947, Palestine plunged into civil war as the Zionists mobilized to bring in more immigrants, and the Arab League pledged support for the Palestinian Arabs, leading to the fall of the British administration. The foreign intervention began. The United States expressed its opposition to enforcing partition by force and called for an armistice in March 1948. Fearing a change in American policy, the Zionists launched successful attacks in April, while Arab resistance weakened. On May 14, the British commissioner left, and Israel declared the United States, quickly recognized by the United States and the Soviet Union. The Arab states entered the conflict in May, resulting in campaigns, cease-fires, and Arab defeats. By the summer of 1949, Israel had gained control over a large part of Mandatory Palestine, with Jordan and Egypt remaining in control of the rest. The situation of the Palestinian Arab population changed dramatically.

Conclusion

The history of the state of Palestine is one of resilience, resilience, and hope. The history of the state dates back to its earliest days, and its current struggle for the right to self-determination has faced many obstacles. While the future of the peace process in the region is still uncertain, it is important for anyone who is interested in the long-term resolution of the Israel-Palestine conflict to understand the history of the state and the challenges that remain. The Palestinian struggle for freedom continues, serving as a reminder of the enduring human spirit and the power of determination in times of adversity.