The Paw Print

By Sanaa Taqvi

“There comes a time

When we heed a certain call

When the world must come together as one

There are people dying

Oh, and it’s time to lend a hand to life

The greatest gift of all”

• We are the World Song by Michael Jackson 

To understand the current events in Israel and Palestine, it is important to consider the deep-rooted history of pain and conflict. The region’s turbulent past, marred by wars and displacement, has deeply affected both Israelis and Palestinians. Recognizing the historical perspectives of both sides is essential for a nuanced understanding of the intricate dynamics at play. The Middle East has a complex history marked by settlements and conflicts spanning millennia. From the initial Mesopotamian settlements around 10,000 BCE to the more recent geopolitical developments after World War I, the region has witnessed diverse civilizations, including those of the Egyptians, Israelites, Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, and various empires like those of Alexander the Great, Rome, Byzantium, and the Ottomans. Throughout this history, the Middle East has been a home to both Jewish and Arab populations. The ongoing volatility in the region can be attributed to a combination of historical legacies, geopolitical factors, and complicated interactions among the diverse communities that have lived and influenced the region over the centuries. 

The past century has played a pivotal role in shaping the ongoing conflict. The decline of the Ottoman Empire created an opportunity for the British and French to exert their influence in this region, resulting in Palestine becoming a British protectorate after World War I. Concurrently, the Zionist movement, originating in the late 19th century, sought a Jewish homeland in Palestine as a response to the discrimination and anti-Semitism faced by European Jews. Zionists often reference the historical and religious connection of the Jewish people to the land of Israel (historically referred to as Canaan) – the biblical narratives have long centered on the region and Zionists saw the establishment of a Jewish state as a means of returning to their ancestral home. During World War 1, the British government issued the Balfour Declaration, in 1917, which expressed their support for the establishment of a “national home for the Jewish people” in Palestine – a declaration that proved to be instrumental in laying the groundwork for the establishment of the state of Israel. Following World War 1, the League of Nations tasked Britain with facilitating the establishment of a Jewish national homeland while also considering the rights of the existing Arab population. 

World War II witnessed the largest human displacement in history, with millions of Jews affected all over Europe. At that time, the Western world had a poor record of offering asylum, as exemplified by the 1939 refusal to allow the German liner St. Louis, containing primarily Jewish asylum seekers, to port in the United States. The Holocaust, resulting in the deaths of approximately six million European Jews, galvanized international support for a Jewish state. In 1947, the United Nations proposed a partition plan for Palestine, leading to the declaration of the State of Israel on May 14, 1948, by David Ben-Gurion. This declaration sparked armed conflicts with neighboring Arab states, and the repercussions of these events continue to influence the region to this day.

“‘Forward’, he cried from the rear

And the front rank died

The general sat and the lines on the map

Moved from side to side

Black and blue

And who knows which is which

And who is who”

• Us and Them Song by Pink Floyd 

The Arab-Israeli Wars refers to a series of conflicts between Arab states and Israel. The territorial division sparked a war in 1948, which allowed Israel to expand its territory. Subsequent conflicts in 1956 and 1967 saw Israel occupy additional lands in Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. The war in 1973 ended in a stalemate but eventually led to the Camp David Accords in 1978. Fighting continued, including the 1982 Israeli occupation of Southern Lebanon. Yasser Arafat and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) initiated a civilian resistance called the Intifada from 1987 to the early 2000s. Throughout the 2000s, conflicts persisted, with a significant escalation that occurred in October 2023 with a Hamas attack where 1200 Israelis were killed and over 200 held hostage. This has led to ongoing warfare in the Gaza strip, which has resulted in the deaths of over 25,000 people and millions displaced. 

Outside of official wars, there were other notable events such as the 1972 Munich Massacre carried out by Black September, a group linked to the PLO, during the Olympic Games, resulting in the deaths of 11 Israeli athletes. Another significant incident was the 1976 Entebbe raid, where Israeli commandos rescued hostages from an airliner hijacked by members of the PLO and the Red Army Faction. The First Intifada in the 1980s arose as a non-violent response to built-up grievances over Israeli occupation and economic disparities, shaping subsequent negotiations. The Oslo Peace Accords of the 1990s aimed for a two-state solution but faced challenges and perceived broken promises, hindering lasting peace efforts. There have been many attempts at negotiating peace, ranging from the 1978 Camp David Accords to the Oslo Peace Accords in the 1990s, however none has been successful in instilling lasting peace.

The human toll has been catastrophic.The conflicts have led to the displacement of populations on both sides. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinian Arabs fled or were expelled during the 1948 war, leading to a significant refugee population. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency was established in 1949 to provide humanitarian assistance to Palestinian refugees. According to UNRWA, there were approximately 700,000 Palestinian refugees as a result of the 1948 conflict. Jewish communities in Arab countries also faced displacement during and after these wars.The establishment of Israel involved confiscation of land and property, as well as the enforcement of severe security measures. These security measures include restrictions on movement and access to resources which have resulted in significant economic challenges for the Palestinians. The establishment of Israel also contributed to the fragmentation of Palestinian society – the Palestinian territories are divided between the West Bank and the Gaza strip, with different political leadership (Fatah in the West Bank and Hamas in Gaza), which has hindered the effort to establish a unified Palestine state. 

“Time is linear

Memory’s a stranger

History’s for fools

Man is a tool…”

• Perfect Sense, Part 1, Song by Roger Waters

While the region grapples with historical grievances and present-day challenges, it’s crucial to avoid perpetuating hate, as this only fuels the cycle of violence. Recent incidents at Walter Payton College Prep highlighted instances of anti-Semitic language and Islamophobia, prompting a response from the school administration to uphold a culture of respect and inclusion. It is important to remember that there’s a delicate balance between condemning hate speech and stifling legitimate conversations that needs to be maintained in order to create a space for diverse perspectives to be heard and respected, thus fostering open dialogue rather than silence.

It is also important to note that silence surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict can inadvertently contribute to misunderstandings and the calcification of opposing narratives. By acknowledging the suffering experienced by all sides and promoting open, respectful conversations, we can foster understanding and empathy, creating space for diverse perspectives to be heard and paving the way for constructive change. Recent actions, such as the mass walkout by CPS students demanding a ceasefire, demonstrate a growing recognition and support of the need for peace and justice in the region. 

The words of Bob Dylan’s song “Blowin’ in the Wind” resonate deeply. They remind us of the profound questions surrounding human suffering, conflict, and peace. By embracing respectful dialogue, empathy, and collective action, we can strive to work towards a future of reconciliation and harmony in the Middle East.

“How many roads must a man walk down

Before you call him a man?

How many seas must a white dove sail

Before she sleeps in the sand?

Yes, and how many times must the cannonballs fly

Before they’re forever banned?

The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind

The answer is blowin’ in the wind

Yes, and how many years must a mountain exist

Before it is washed to the sea?

And how many years can some people exist

Before they’re allowed to be free?

Yes, and how many times can a man turn his head

And pretend that he just doesn’t see?

The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind

The answer is blowin’ in the wind

Yes, and how many times must a man look up

Before he can see the sky?

And how many ears must one man have

Before he can hear people cry?

Yes, and how many deaths will it take ’til he knows

That too many people have died?

The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind

The answer is blowin’ in the wind” 

• Blowin’ in the Wind Song by Bob Dylan