Israel-Palestinian Conflict

After large amounts of bloodshed, the Arab population established the Palestine Liberation Organization in 1964 with the purpose of liberating Palestine (Sela 58). They believed in the use of force and terrorism to rid themselves of the Zionist movement. Yasser Arafat was elected as the leader of the organization in 1969 and continued the act of Arab nationalism (Trueman). Meanwhile, Israeli forces continued to revoke the residency status of a large number of Arab Muslims living in the Gaza Strip and West Bank.

After decades of violence, the Israelis and Palestinians signed the Oslo I Accord in 1993 which many see as the moment that ended the first Palestinian uprising (Avineri). Through this accord, the Palestinian Authority was set up under Yasser Arafat. However, the billions of dollars sent for the use of establishing a Palestinian state were instead used to create a security services state (Avineri). Arafat helped create a high number of militias which consumed more than half of the Palestinian budget. The national interest of the Palestinian Authority came at the expense of education and welfare. Due to the lack of a Palestinian state, the second uprising began to take place. As popular support decreased, the Islamist Hamas organization began their takeover of the Gaza Strip through its building of schools and welfare services (Avineri). Hamas, which many consider a terrorist organization, won the 2006 Palestinian election (PBS). The organization firmly believes the State of Israel to be nonexistent. Hamas’ goal is to take control through violent means. Attacks have occurred not only against military, but civilians as well in the form of numerous suicide bombings. This has led to the continuing use of strong force by the I...

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...e creation of multiple settlements and outposts. The Jewish continue to slowly take more Palestinian land through the act of imperialism. Through this colonization process, Palestinians were left with what feel like concentration camps with no connection to the outside world. The majority was left with very little resources and is struggling to survive. As pointed out by James Verini in the article “The Tunnels of Gaza,” these conditions have forced many Palestinians to risk their lives by participating in the act of underground smuggling. Due to the blockades placed by the Israelis, many are left with no other options. An astounding fact is that Gaza’s underground economy accounts for two-thirds of consumer goods (Verini). Most of these goods are basic necessities that can’t be acquired in another manner. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights has been violated.