Without a doubt, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been the dominant news of our time. Not so much lately, but we’ve gone through long periods when this topic constantly occupied the major headlines. So what is it that makes this conflict so special and why hasn’t it been resolved? Well, it all starts with the Jews.
The Jews
If you stood up a Jew beside an Arab you couldn’t tell them apart. That’s because there’s no physical difference separating these two ancient neighbours, not even the nose. What sets them apart is their way of life. Jewishness (or being Jewey) is based on four principles:
- work hard
- be a good person
- go to school
- save your money
Perfect rules for anyone that build not only strong individuals but entire civilizations. What’s unique about Jews is that they’ve had this figured out for thousands of years. So even when wandering around a desert they were essentially first world people living in undeveloped space. That’s why their stars didn’t shine until they migrated to Europe.
Jews brought serious talents to industrialized nations and success followed. So much so they were admired by elites but loathed by the masses (like foreign students taking good medical jobs over here). Back then people weren’t so polite and this jealousy-hate thing grew to where discrimination was common against these should be role models. (Hitler didn’t start it.)
Christianity
Christianity played a significant role in building Western Civilization and it’s no secret Judaism had a hand in making Christians. That’s why it’s called Judeo-Christianity. And many Western leaders take this to heart. Much of their tradition is entrenched in our system and their history is partially ours. That’s why pro-Christian nations strongly support the Jewish homeland. And why America, the most Christian of all, is heavily involved.
The British
Right after WWI, the allies came into possession of the Middle East. The Ottoman Empire was on the wrong side of the war and this area became part of the spoils. Back then nobody knew there was oil so the territory consisted of regular farmers, living in villages, identifying with tribes, being administered by Turks.
Anyway, Britain got the land they called Palestine and that’s when the party started. They decided Jews were to be rewarded for contributions and compensated for woes by welcoming them back to their home. Immigration soon followed and people moved in by the thousands. Interstate conflict began. (You see, Arabs don’t like immigrants either.)
Now moving these folk in wasn’t like expropriating land for an airport. Nor was it like forcibly transplanting people from Eastern Oregon to the coast. In all cases, you simply write a cheque. In this case it was damn principle. Countryside conflict continued until the British got sick of it.
In 1948 they turned matters over to the UN, who declared a two-state solution. Palestinians didn’t agree and neighbouring Arab nations immediately attacked. Of course, Israel won the war because they were armed to the teeth but these sorts of battles continued for some time—often resulting in border changes. As of 2019, there were peace agreements with Egypt and Jordan, and other than Palestine, all Arab nations had lightly acknowledged Israel’s right to exist. In 2020, four more agreements were signed. Which brings us back to the start.
Palestinians
Jews have a lot to brag about. Scientists who’ve set records (theory of relativity) and in business they’ve done well. But when Canada sends 21 players to bring back hockey gold, it doesn’t mean we can all skate. So lots of them are knobs like the rest of us. And truth be told: none of us are anything if not for our leaders.
If Gandhi was an Arab and Oprah a Jew, this whole thing would have been settled. But that’s not how it’s played out. Palestinian leaders stubbornly implore violence and Israeli defenses always freak out—leaving the region without the stability it requires to implement a 50-year plan. And if you take the Israeli-UN position, it’s mostly one side’s fault.
Before striking oil in some places, the Middle East was a collection of poor nations. Sure money is great but this area was never brought into the first world. And Palestine isn’t a resource rich nation (no oil, just lemons) but Israelis have managed to bring their part up to par. How? They used the system they helped to create.
This battle is between the first and third worlds—and it’s all in the head.
George W. used to say “I don’t know much about Muslolalism” but Islam isn’t to blame. Central and South America are just as screwed up. The third world is whacked for a number of reasons. They’re mired in strict religion, corrupt institutions, poor education, and a non-ambitious culture that can be easily stoked into violence. And that’s always the difference between “us” and “them.” Move a Haitian baby into Canada and he or she grows up fine. It’s not our features that make up the difference, it’s the system.
And you can’t get there by just schooling and hard work, you need rule of law, private property, and a department for transgender rights. So if the PLO and Hamas would stop lobbing bombs, Israelis wouldn’t be so tight. And if they’d change their tactic from “Israel has no right to exist” to “let’s talk land and money,” chances for success would be far greater.
Summary
It’s never the people, always the politicians. Because all babies are born good. There are 15 million Jews in the world and six of them live in the States. Israel has seven million. If you apply modern day birth rates and the melting pot in New York, you’ll see truly Jewish people have at best 100 more years. In that time, they’re the gateway for Arabs to join the first world.
Judaism has never tried to inundate the planet, it would rather be left alone. No one tries to convert you and they don’t go knocking on doors. They simply live a principled lifestyle, which they’re happy to share. This whole conflict reminds me of two kids wrestling in a yard. The little guy has fight but the other is too big. It only ends when the little guy says “uncle.” Wake up Palestine, you don’t have to be poor (no country does). You have a first world neighbour that’s internationally bound to play fair. Take advantage of this opportunity to move yourselves up in the world. It might be the last gift from the Jews.
Then again, one could disagree with the UN resolution and say it never should have been implemented in the first place. Israel could have become a province with special cultural provisions like that of Quebec or sent up north to tell jokes to the Inuit. And why do Jews need a homeland, anyway? Didn’t they leave the Middle East for Europe? One step further, and you could say that based on behaviour, namely the disproportionate suffering borne by Palestinians always in the name of defense, Israel doesn’t deserve to be a nation.
Long story short, history is easy to summarize when you’re talking about the past. This conflict is still going on.
Note: For a good book on the details see Jimmy Carter’s Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid (remember, Jimmy was there). You can also view Wikipedia or this card presentation from Vox.