Israel/Palestine conflict for dummies?

Question

Can anyone explain to me the conflict in unbiased, lemans terms? My understanding is that Jewish people were given Palestine (Israel) to resettle after the war and the Palestinian people were unceremoniously shifted to Lebanon. But I know I'm probably wrong. And I don't really understand what's been happening ever since. Also, I hear people making comments about the USA's involvement with Israel but I know nothing of that either.
You might think I'm a total dumbass (and you'd be right) but I've only started reading newspapers in the last year and can't get to grips with the context surrounding all these articles that I'm reading.

Thanks for your help. :)

Thanks Mustafa, I'm thinking I actually do know more than I think I do. But one thing I've always struggled with is how anyone in Europe could effectively give Jewish people a country that wasn't European.

Answer 1

try the OLD TESTAMENT sweetie...

it all began there...

Answer 2

Israel Palestine Conflict For Dummies

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Israel/Palestine conflict for dummies?
Can anyone explain to me the conflict in unbiased, lemans terms? My understanding is that Jewish people were given Palestine (Israel) to resettle after the war and the Palestinian people were unceremoniously shifted to Lebanon. But I know I'm probably wrong. And I don't really understand...

Answer 4

Unbiased? Well, if you want unbiased don't go looking for it in Yahoo Answers.

But to be very specific, the land used to be a colony of the Ottoman Empire then the British Empire called Palestine. Starting in the late 19th century, Jews started emigrating to Israel in significant numbers (though there was always a small Jewish presence there for centuries).

To make a very long story short, there was a proposal to divide up the land between an Arab state and a Jewish one. The Arabs rejected the plan the Jews accepted it, so Israel was born. Then, various Arab states attacked the new Jewish state but lost. Arab leaders had asked the Arab population to leave the area for the duration of the hostilities and many complied. Those that stayed in Israel ended up becoming citizens.
In 1967, the famous Six Day War occurred which ended in Israel winning and getting the West Bank, Gaza, and the Golan Heights.
In 1993, the so called "Olso peace process" took into effect, the eventual stated goal to have a Palestinian state alongside the Sate of Israel in peace. For many reasons, this process failed and resulted in the mess both sides find themselves into today.

What I have said before is a gross oversimplification and I skipped over many things but it may help give you a feel for things.

Answer 5

Don't call yourself a dumbass. I'm confused about the whole situation myself. Most people probably know a lot less than you do and don't even care. That's the worst. At least you're questioning it and are interested in getting an understanding. We don't all know everything.

Answer 6

I believe the Jews had defeated the Palestinians back in Biblical times in order to get their land that was promised to them by God. Fast forward a while, and then I think they wanted it back. So it's basically a fight over land.

Answer 7

Historically, the old Palestinian people lived in Palestine before the old Jews.
If you read your bible you going to find that the Palestinians did existed even during Christ time where most converted to Christianity. The Roman called the country Palestine too.
The UN created both Palestine and Israel in the Same UN resolution.
The world issue with Israel is Israeli leaders want to keep occupying land which was never part of Israel. There is not one single nation in clouding the USA is willing to recognize that territories is part of Israel.
Why Israeli leader want to keep land which is not theirs is the issue. Each side have a point of view but Israeli occupation cover the issue very well.
Occupying other people by force is losing policy in the past and now and has no future. At the end no one could NOT change his mind unless he has no mind.

Answer 8

The only think i hope 's peace , yes peace i'm a mouslim and i'don't have the right to kill a jewish , and i'm sure for him also . so my opinion is to give the land of palestinians ( 1967) borders .and the total integration for the state of israel in the arab ligue.

Answer 9

Your understanding in plain terms is quite correct. In the Balfour declaration of 1917, the British (who controlled Palestine) promised to allow Jews to have a homeland in Palestine. Why this was done is a matter of debate.

European Jews started moving in large numbers to Palestine after WW2 ended in 1945. A zionist terrorist organisation named Irgun used sabotage, murder, bombings, and other methods to expel the British, and embarked on a campaign of ethnic cleansing against the indigenous arab population. They were successful, and in 1948 Israel declared independence.

Israel is of strategic importance to US interests, and most of America's foreign aid goes to Israel. In return, the US supports Israel's policies unconditionally, and vetoes all attempts by the UN to censure her for her treatment of Palestinians, and the development of her nuclear weapons strategy.

This is not looked upon kindly in the arab world, where Israel is seen as a vicious regime wholly sponsored by the US for her own strategic interests. This is a constant source of discord, disagreement, and conflict in the middle east.

Answer 10

You have to study Palestine & Spain History, re-habilitation mean what? it's additional question, I also looking forward to get answer? But no one is now hitting Spain, all is about Palestine histroty, why thats so?

Answer 11

It's more detailed than you can get with a sound-byte answer.
But here are facts few people know (or care to acknowledge):
1. Jerusalem has had a Jewish majority since the mid-1800s

2. Palestine is currently divided among:
- Jordan
- Israel
- parts of Lebanon and Syria
- the disputed territories (Judea, Samaria, Gaza)

3. "The Palestinians People does not exist"
( http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=28222 )

More fun quick facts:
http://www.fuelfortruth.org/

Or, if you have more time, go here:
http://www.palestinefacts.org

You can learn A LOT from videos too:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EAOiYCQq0k&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMLJJEDDDGc&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_Fc1D7h25k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHf1sOzCcpQ&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkIrQ6UPGrQ

Good luck.