Conflict in Israel, Gaza Strip, Palestine etc.

[Ian King]

Ive always been a bit of a news junkie. Back in my early teens I remember the news telling of fighting in and around the Gaza Strip. Just now on the news more stories of killing in a refugee camp in Gaza. I have not got a clue what its all about. I think over so many years I have become desensitised to it all. Hearing the same place names, seeing the same pictures of tanks and people throwing stones. Can someone please explain in relatively simple terms how this thing started, who are the baddies(sorry couldnt think of a better word), whats it over? Thanks.

[Quizmonster]

If you click here, that will link you to a web-page which outlines the whole Palestine/Israel situation. Once there, click on each of the page numbers in turn to get the information.

[Hippy]

1945 end of WW2, International (USA) agreement for formation of Israel, a homeland for dispersed Jews of the world. People already living in the then Palestine were offered either relocation or living under Israeli (Jewish) law.

Palestinians objected to this but could not resist International pressure, and the new Israel became an increasingly militaristic state to "defend" its homeland against Palestinian incursions and "terorism". Both sides think that the other is the "baddie". There have been interminable squabbles about who should occupy what bit of marginal land and to set right supoposed inequities of the past. Many have died on both sides for no gain whatsoever, and the whole conflict is clothed in "religion" (Jews -v- Arabs and Muslems) and that is used by the various factions and governments to justify the war and fan the flames of hatred.

[tartanwiz]

The people of Israel (Jews) left their homeland during and after waves of invasion by Romans, Muslims, etc. They moved to Europe, then America. Antisemitism (hatred of Jews) increased, culminating in the Nazi Holocaust. After WW2 the Jews, with American help, returned to their ancestral homeland and established the modern state of Israel. But there was a problem, for by now there were Arabs (Palestinians) living there. The Palestinian people had been there for centuries and saw it as THEIR homeland. They saw the Jews as invaders. No sooner was the state of Israel set up than surrounding Arab nations waged war against it, believing the state of Israel had no right to exist. Israel had to defend itself, but it went further, expanding its borders into neighbouring land. The Jews and Muslims of the Holy Land both see it as their own land granted to them by God, and they cannot agree on a boundary. A very sad situation with no instant solution.

[2nosey]

not all palastinians are muslim some are christians. israel is important to the christians as well. it started when the jews were known as the isralites and when moses freed the slaves from egypt. they went to egypt because they thought god had left them.when they had been freed they went back to find their land had been taken by the arabs. so isreal originally belonged to the jews. however there are no 'baddies'both sides have the right to live in israel.

[Yeah Bee]

The allies after the war. They felt so bad for the jews, with all rights so they gave Palestine away witout asking the Palestinians. Palestine were then a British semi-colony. Then the UN said that pals and jews should divid the country, the Pals refused with all rights why should they give up their land so the jews took their half and other parts by force. The surrounding arabnations attacked Several wars later. The pals are left alone facing tanks, helicopters, planes and M16:s with stones. Is that fair. The Israeli people (the jews) have broken the codes of conduct several times and don't respect basic human and peoples rights. Check out www.palfacts.org