Key aspects of the Palestinian conflict include the status of Jerusalem, security, water rights, Israeli occupation of the Gaza Strip and West Bank, Palestinian right of return, and freedom of movement. The conflict began with the arrival of Jewish settlers to Ottoman Palestine and the rise of Zionism in Europe. Arabs opposed Zionism out of fear of territorial dispossession and displacement.

In simple terms, the dispute began over a specific area of land that the Israelis and Palestinians both claim. Attempts have been made to create a two-state solution making an Israeli state and a Palestinian state without success. In November of 1947, the UN (United Nations) voted to partition Palestine into a Jewish state and an Arab state.

Jews and Arabs almost immediately broke into violent clashes with each other. Conflicts escalated and both Arab forces and Jewish forces began using hostile acts against each other. Many of the massacres that occurred spread both panic and retaliation. It was not until 1949 when a separate armistice was agreed upon between Israel and each of the Arab states was there a temporary frontier fixed. Israelis remember this time as the War of Independence, and the Arabs call it Nakba (Catastrophe.)

Global Peace for a Complex Issue

Jews and Arab Muslims can date their claims to a land back thousands of years. Political conflicts began for them in the 20th century and the lines drawn between them today reflect the outcomes of wars engaged between them. Finding global peace for the people of these lands is still the hope of  Pledge4Peace.

It is the mission of Pledge4Peace to foster a global community to pursue peace for all. Regardless of creed, geography, or ideology, we hope to build a culture of respect, cooperation, and empathy across the globe. Whether your pledge is an individual one or sponsored through a corporation, you can help strengthen democracy and create peace in this world.