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Table of Contents
Introduction
Palestine is a small region located in Western Asia that has played a prominent role in the ancient and modern history of the Middle East. The history of Palestine has been marked by frequent political conflict and violent land seizures because of its importance to several major world religions, and because Palestine sits at a valuable geographic crossroads between Africa and Asia. Today, Arab people who call this territory home are known as Palestinians, and the people of Palestine have a strong desire to create a free and independent state in this contested region of the world.
Early History
Scholars believe the name “Palestine” originally comes from the word “Philistia,” which refers to the Philistines who occupied part of the region in the 12th century B.C. Throughout history, Palestine has been ruled by numerous groups, including the Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Fatimids, Seljuk Turks, Crusaders, Egyptians and Mamelukes. From about 1517 to 1917, the Ottoman Empire ruled much of the region.
British Mandate
When World War I ended in 1918, the British took control of Palestine. The League of Nations issued a British mandate for Palestine—a document that gave Britain administrative control over the region and included provisions for establishing a Jewish national homeland in Palestine—which went into effect in 1923.
Partition Plan
In 1947, after more than two decades of British rule, the United Nations proposed a plan to partition Palestine into two sections: an independent Jewish state and an independent Arab state. The city of Jerusalem was to be an international territory with a special status. The plan was accepted by Jews but rejected by Arabs.
War
In 1948 Israel declared its independence leading to a war between Israel and Arab countries. The war resulted in Israel occupying more land than was originally proposed by the United Nations.
Human Rights Abuses
The situation in Palestine has been characterized by human rights abuses committed against Palestinians by Israeli forces. These abuses include extrajudicial killings, torture, detention without trial, home demolitions, land confiscation, restrictions on movement, and more.
International Law
The situation in Palestine is governed by international law. The Fourth Geneva Convention applies to occupied territories such as Gaza and the West Bank. The convention prohibits collective punishment, transfer of an occupying power’s population into occupied territory, destruction of property not justified by military necessity, and more.
Conclusion
The situation in Palestine is complex and multifaceted. It is a conflict that has been ongoing for decades with no clear solution in sight. The world must come together to find a peaceful resolution to this conflict.
FAQs
- What is Palestine?
- Palestine is a small region located in Western Asia that has played a prominent role in the ancient and modern history of the Middle East.
- What is the history of Palestine?
- Throughout history Palestine has been ruled by numerous groups including Assyrians,Babylonians,Persians,Greeks,Romans ,Arabs,Fatimids,Seljuk Turks,Crusaders,Egyptians,Mamelukes,and Ottomans.
- What was British mandate?
- When World War I ended in 1918,the British took control of Palestine.The League of Nations issued a British mandate for Palestine which went into effect in 1923.
- What was partition plan?
- In 1947,the United Nations proposed a plan to partition Palestine into two sections:an independent Jewish state and an independent Arab state.The city of Jerusalem was to be an international territory with special status.The plan was accepted by Jews but rejected by Arabs.
- What are some human rights abuses committed against Palestinians?
- Human rights abuses committed against Palestinians include extrajudicial killings,torture,detention without trial,home demolitions,land confiscation,restriction on movement,and more.
