Palestine

On this date in 1949 the United Nations voted to partition Palestine which led to the creation of the independent state of Israel.  The mid-east has been contentious for centuries, and the 1949 UN move failed to lead to long-term peace, just as the League of Nations proved ineffective a couple decades earlier.  History and geography pose issues too long-standing to be resolved by political action.  Britain waded into difficulty shortly following its exercise of colonial powers in much of the mid-east following the Great War.  During the 1920’s and into the 1930’s there was significant conflicts between Arabs and Jews.  As we know Hitler’s rise to power in Germany led many Jews to leave Europe and settle in Israel.  Because of British control and increasing Jewish settlement, the Arab revolt of 1936-1939 occurred.  The revolt was suppressed by the British with help of Zionist organizations.  However, Britain began to rethink its policies, and in 1939 started to limit Jewish immigration to Palestine.  This was considered a violation of what is known as the Balfour declaration, which led to an end to the British-Zionist alliance.  The German “final solution” of the Hitler era than led to the partition of Palestine and the creation of the Israeli state. 

Mid-east conflicts are not new; they continue to this day.  Political solutions often fail to garner support, particularly from fringe elements.  The second Palestinian Intifada (2000-2005) has led to Israel placing a wall and check points around Palestinian territory.  Freedom of movement is limited.   Settlements take Arab family owned territory, apparently with no compensation.  Caught in the middle perhaps, are the Arab Christians who are fleeing the country as few opportunities now exist.  Continued violence and persecution by extremist groups create a new kind of population disruption.  It is rather ironic, that in a place claimed holy by three major religions, that a long-lasting peace has trouble taking hold.   As old animosities prove so strong, perhaps world powers and mid-east governments need to realize that peace will not come until the mass of population is so demanding that fringe groups will fail in their efforts to see peace falter.  In the end, like Palestine, much of the world remains divided.

Shepard Fields, Settlement Encroachment, April 2013

At the top of the walkway is part of the wall built by Israel following the second intifada.