Jerusalem Case Study
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is one of the most common conflicts in Modern Times and is one of the most critical and debated topic still going on today. This conflict is complicated and hard to understand, but it is important to always focus on the central point on a side issue. “What makes this conflict difficult is to say where religion ends and politics begin” (Adelman 114). Focusing on the main point of this conflict is the existence of Israel and its relations with Arab countries and with the Palestinian population in the area. Since the development of Israel, the Palestinians and the Jews have been fighting over the land for numerous years believing that they have a greater right than the other. Both parties share a variety of customs, practices and beliefs that makes them clash. Even the similarities between these two have been the source of battle for several of years. The crucial points that make the study of Jerusalem interesting are because of its ancient and modern history, sociopolitical situation and background, and negotiating for a position.
Jerusalem, one of the oldest cities in the world, have so many secrets and important stories because of its ancient history. Located in ancient Judah that is now the capital city of Israel, Jerusalem had “Experienced at least 118 conflicts” (Oehring and Domingo). It is called the city of peace, but has been through everything but peace. In Adelman points of view, Jerusalem is a symbol of “something visible that by association or convention represents something else that is invisible” (116).
The conflict started because of religious and political reasons. Both Arabs and Jews have historic claims to the land. One could define this conflict as being two national groups struggle over historical Palestine. This city is secret to three major religious and millions of people around the world. Therefore, the majority of the battles that have been fought for Jerusalem have been for control of the secret grounds such as the Temple of Mount. On the other hand, in the ancient world Palestine was part of the region known as Canaan and then it was part of the region where the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah were located. However, Palestinians have faced occupation, poverty, and are ravaged by war and ultimately the nation in control, Israel, for their suffering. The state of Palestine declares Jerusalem as the capital city, as does Israel. “For both Palestinian and Israelis, believing that the other side has some legitimate rights in regard to Jerusalem appears to make a very big difference in people’s willingness to compromise” (Segal 9).
Moreover, the conflict in Jerusalem had a major change on how socio-political situation works and the background of negotiating a position. In addition, the people of Palestine and the people of Israel were fighting for Jerusalem as their city because the people who were living in Israel believe that because of the religious background the people of Palestine did not have any rights to claim Jerusalem as their city. On the other hand, the Palestinians made it clear that being a citizen born there give them the rights to claim Jerusalem as their city regards’ of the religious background. Furthermore, there is no political structure in the city of Jerusalem, which is getting worse because of the war between the Palestine and the Israelis. The situation is at the point of horror and bloodshed at Jerusalem old city gate because these people or fighting till death killing many innocent people who are searching for peace. For now, the sole purpose for these people are fighting for their rights, a place to lived, have a job, and be safe from all of this violence that only end up with more death among them. Also, the country has a leadership who is not able to come up with ideas or solution to help his people to understand and accept the other part.
Eventually, conflict arises from differences among people and happens whenever both parties disagree over values, perceptions, idea, or desires. In this case, Jerusalem is considered one the most sensitive issues in the peace talks. To bring an end to these fighting and look for better ways to negotiate for a position is for these people to understand and accept others beliefs and finally to work together as one. Understanding the origin of the conflict and try to work their way through it by taking into consideration, how many innocent people are being killed every because of stubborn people who do not want to accept each other. Also, instead of thinking about each state separately as one and fighting to be the victorious state, they should strengthen their political structure and find a respective and reliable leadership who can assist his people regards of the believes and the way they were used to lived. As a result, the conflict among both parties still continues because these people will never submit to one each other and create one state containing both parties. So a solution might be to have separate states with a different name, one for the Palestinian and one for the Israelis. But at the other hand, Israeli government followers argue that “Palestinians in reality want a single state encompassing all of historic Palestine: Israel and the occupied territories. In other words, the end of Israel as a Jewish state” (Katel 547).
To conclude, a decisive decision is necessary to bring an end to this corrupted and filled with horrific violence that are killing so many people. In an article written by Gazit, he states that “we are in the very last phases of the Arab-Israeli conflict”. He argues that there will never be real peace among Israel and Palestine but, we can “only speak of a political settlement” which is a lot (58). The only way for these people to work on a solution is to understand their people suffering and build much safer environment to protect the innocent who are being a target every day and kill for no reason. Understanding the crucial points that make the study of Jerusalem interesting, which can create ideas and solution to bring up an end to the fighting among both parties is by carefully study its ancient and modern history; finding out everything about socio-political situation and background, and work together to make necessary decision to negotiate for a position that will bring peace to these people. Although it looks impossible to find a solution for these people, they should keep trying looking for other ways out of these conflict until there something that can make a change and create a more peaceful environment for both Palestinians and Israelis.