Israelis And The Palestinians Essay Research Paper

Israelis And The Palestinians Essay, Research Paper

Israelis and Palestinians: The Middle-East Horror

The Israelis and the Palestinians, both in the past and in the present, have caused one another great suffering because their religious beliefs have impelled them to violence over the issue of control of the city of Jerusalem. Both sides believe themselves to be divinely entitled to exclusive control of the city; both sides have lived under the shadow of violence as a result. These religious convictions and intolerance have had tragic consequences. Recently, many horrific acts of violence in the region have been perpetrated as a result of these beliefs, and many people have died in the struggle. Despite many efforts to resolve this conflict, there is presently no clear path to peace in sight. It is tragic that two of the world’s great religions, Judaism and Islam, have taken the path of violence over control of this real estate, merely because they consider it to be of religious importance.

This conflict has long-standing historical and religious roots. For many centuries, Jerusalem has been of great religious significance to Judaism, Islam, and Christianity (although Christians are not deeply involved in the struggle for control of the city). In biblical the city was controlled by Jews and the Romans. In later years, the Muslims took control of the city, and European Christians went on crusades to try to take control away from them. In the twentieth century, the Jews regained control (Jerusalem: A History of Bloodshed, Peace”). The state of Israel was founded in 1948, and the Israelis gained control of the city after winning the six-day war in 1967. The Israelis currently have control of the city; however they have allowed the Palestinians access and limited rule of some areas (”Jerusalem Bloodshed”). Palestinians want more area and control. The Israelis do not want to give it up. All throughout this history of shifting control and conflict over the city, many people have tried to make peace. In fact, peace negotiations have been a part of this area for centuries (”Jerusalem Bloodshed”).

Both the Israelis and the Palestinians have valid claims on the land. This brings up the question of who has the most valid claim. The Israelis’s basic claim is that it is the home of the very most holy object in their religion, the Arc of the Covenant, and the land has always been considered the home of Judaism. The Palestinians also have a legitimate claim to the land. One of their most holy figures, Mohammed, came from Jerusalem, thus beginning his journey in life (”Jerusalem Bloodshed”). And also the Christians have a claim as well. Although they do not actually control the land adjacent to Jerusalem, their religion was founded in Jerusalem by the most pious figure in Christianity, that of Christ (”Jerusalem Bloodshed”). Within 500 yards of each other in the city is a huge Jewish temple, the landmark of where Mohammed began his “journey,” and the tomb of Jesus (”Jerusalem Bloodshed”). Obviously, all of these grounds for wanting the land are quite sound, and it is difficult to decide who should have sole possession of this most sacred and hollowed turf.

The Judaic people of Israel’s claim is generally viewed as the most legitimate and convincing. They have had control of the land for almost all of its history. The Jews see this land as that given to them by the Lord, and that no one has the right to take it from them (”Jerusalem Bloodshed”). A perfect quote, given by Rabbi Efry, one of the first men to enter the city after the Six-Day War, addresses this issue. It states, “If you are talking about sovereignty of Jerusalem, that is our only place. We have no Mecca, we have no Medina, we have no Rome. We have no other place in the world. The Jews never prayed for or to any place else but Jerusalem” (”Jerusalem Bloodshed”). These words shine a clear light on the Judaic approach to the ownership of Jerusalem. The Jews feel that Jerusalem is all they have in the world, all that God has given them, and that they deserve it above all others for this reason (”Jerusalem Bloodshed”).

The Islamic people of Palestine feel that they should have possession of the city, or at least the parts they see as most holy. The Islamic people, although they hold many interfaith marches and hold rallies, they still remain quite intolerant of all those who want to “share” the land they see as theirs (”Jerusalem Bloodshed”). As discussed above, the Muslims feel that they should possess the land because Mohammed began his journey here. They claim that the Jews only want the land for political reasons and to fulfill their greedy nature (”Jerusalem Bloodshed”). Begg, an Indian-American Muslim, states that his people truly love the land, and its religious power. He also claims to be impressed with its diversity. He brings this to life through this quote, “It really belongs to everyone. I’d like to see it as an international city” (”Jerusalem Bloodshed”). This expresses what the Muslims claim is their feeling on the land, and what that want with it.

The Christians feel that they, too have a reasonable claim to Jerusalem. It is the area in which Jesus preached, was condemned, and was crucified (”Jerusalem Bloodshed”). The Christians are not as eager for physical control of the land as the other two parties involved seem to be. They seem to be quite happy with access to th