Day 13 – Q. 3. “Mandates ended, but the conflict endured.” Trace the historical evolution of the Israel–Palestine conflict in the context of the collapse of colonial mandates and subsequent international interventions in West Asia. (150 words, 10 marks)

Q. 3. “Mandates ended, but the conflict endured.” Trace the historical evolution of the Israel–Palestine conflict in the context of the collapse of colonial mandates and subsequent international interventions in West Asia. (150 words, 10 marks)

Introduction 

The Israel Palestine conflict began with the 1917 Balfour Declaration and deepened under the  British Mandate (1920–1948). Post-mandate transitions, failed peace plans, and growing  nationalist tensions have since kept West Asia in a state of persistent unrest and violence. 

Body 

Historical Evolution of the Conflict 

1. Conflicting British promises: Britain supported both Arab independence and a Jewish  homeland, leading to deep mistrust. Example: The Balfour Declaration (1917) clashed with the earlier McMahon–Hussein correspondence (1915–16).
2. Land and population shifts: Jewish immigration and land sales triggered Arab fears of  marginalization. Example: Zionist land acquisition and British support led to Arab riots in the 1920s–30s.
3. 3. Palestinian revolt and crackdown: British repression of uprisings weakened local leadership  structures. Example: Key Palestinian political figures were imprisoned or exiled before 1948.
4. 4. Partition plan and exit: UN’s division proposal led to violence after British withdrawal. Example: Britain’s 1948 withdrawal triggered civil war and Arab-Israeli hostilities.
5. 5. Birth of Israel and Nakba: Israel’s creation caused mass displacement and regional instability. Example: Over 700,000 Palestinians fled or were expelled in 1948, known as the Nakba. 

International Interventions and Escalation 

1. Weak UN efforts: UN resolutions lacked enforcement or were ignored. Example: UN Resolution 194 (1948) on refugee return was never implemented.
2. Superpower involvement: Cold War alliances deepened divisions. Example: The U.S. supported Israel while the USSR backed various Arab states.
3. Peace process failures: Mistrust and violence hindered lasting agreements. Example: Oslo Accords (1993–95) collapsed amid settlement growth and militant attacks. 

Enduring Nature of the Conflict 

1. Ongoing occupation: Israel continues to control contested territories. Example: West Bank settlements continue to expand, defying international resolutions.
2. Palestinian division: Internal rifts weaken unified resistance or diplomacy. Example: Fatah rules the West Bank while Hamas controls Gaza, with limited coordination.
3. Regional proxy war: Wider Middle East rivalries fuel the conflict. Example: Iran’s support for Hamas and Hezbollah escalates proxy warfare.
4. Recent escalation: New waves of violence reflect worsening instability. Example: Hamas’s October 2023 attack and Israel’s February 7, 2024 airstrikes intensified the  crisis. 

Conclusion

The conflict, rooted in colonial-era contradictions, remains unresolved. Despite decades of peace  efforts, the 2024 Gaza war and intensifying Iran–Israel rivalry show that the region is edging  closer to broader confrontation, with peace appearing more elusive than ever.