West Bank: the history of the conflict and the problems of its peaceful resolution

For decades, there have been disputes between Israel and Palestine concerning the western bank of the Jordan River. An innumerable number of attempts have been made to resolve this bloody conflict peacefully, but both sides do not intend to surrender their positions without a fight. Each side considers its opinion on this issue to be the only true one, which repeatedly complicates the negotiation process to restore law and order on this land.

Establishment of Israel

In 1947, members of the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on the establishment of two states in the territory formerly under control in the UK. After the withdrawal of British troops, the Jewish and Arab states were to appear. But, unfortunately, this plan was not implemented. Palestine categorically refused to fulfill it: there was a struggle for territories. In case of disagreement of the international community with these demands, threats were raised about the seizure of land by force.

During the first months after the British withdrawal of their armed forces, both sides (Jewish and Arab) tried to occupy as much territory as possible, as well as all key communications, in order to control the western bank of the Jordan River.

Conflict with the Arab States

The creation of a Jewish state alongside the Arab countries did not become a reason for great joy. Some particularly aggressive groups openly declared that they would do everything possible to destroy Israel as a state. Until now, the Jewish state is at war and fighting for its own survival. Regularly on its territory are combat operations, as well as terrorist acts.

The League of Arab States does not recognize the West Bank of the Jordan as a part of Israel and undertakes all possible political, as well as military, steps to control the territory by the Arabs. Israel is resisting this in every way, failing to comply with the international agreements reached and risking an open conflict with neighboring states.

Prehistory

Just the day after the public announcement of the establishment of the State of Israel on May 14, paramilitary groups of the League of Arab States (LAS) invaded the territory of Palestine in order to destroy the Jewish population, protect the Arab population and subsequently form a single state.

Then this territory was occupied by the Transjordan, which was later annexed by Jordan. The West Bank is the land that belonged to Jordan before the war of Israel for independence. This name has been used all over the world to refer to this territory.

The occupation of the western bank of the Jordan by Israel occurred later in 1967 after the end of the Six Day War. The Arabs who live in these territories and in the Gaza strip area have the right and the opportunity to travel beyond their borders, to trade and receive education in the Arab States.

Creation of settlements

Almost immediately after the end of the Six Day War and the actual annexation of these territories by Israel, the first Jewish settlements appeared on the western bank of the Jordan River. Palestine is not at all happy with such an actual seizure of land and the creation of residential areas under Israel's control. The international community actively condemns the activities of the Jewish state in the gradual expansion and expansion of settlements. Nevertheless, at the moment the number of settlers has exceeded 400 thousand people. Despite all the UN decisions, Israel continues to create illegal settlements, thereby strengthening its positions in this territory.

Opportunities for conflict resolution

After decades of continuous struggle for these lands in 1993, the Palestinian Autonomy was created, to which part of the territory of the Jordan River (the western shore) was transferred. Despite the persistent efforts of the United Nations to find a peaceful way out of the current situation, the region continues to be a place of international tension.

In the 1990s, the United States, Russia, Italy, and the European Union played an active role as mediators. Unfortunately, many decisions taken during the difficult negotiations did not come into force because of the conflicting actions of all parties to the conflict who want to control the western bank of the Jordan River. For a while, the negotiations and the participation of the four mediators were terminated.

Prospects for the future

Political leaders are changing, entire generations of residents have already grown in this region, and its political fate is still unresolved. Nobody wants to give in. In Israel, the opinions of the residents also split. Someone thinks that these lands belong to the Jewish inhabitants and they need to be added, and some people hold the opinion that the territories were legally included in Jordan and it is necessary to return them, rather than create unnecessary difficulties.

Unfortunately, the creation of a Jewish state from the very beginning was not an easy task. No country will agree to the exclusion of part of its lands in favor of another.

Now the western bank of the Jordan River and the Gaza Strip, as well as decades ago, are on the front pages in news lines. Israel and the Arab States are not yet one round of negotiations, so that a stable and lasting peace can be established on this territory. It takes a lot of political will of the leaders of the countries, as well as the desire of the people to find a peaceful way to coexist on this earth.