The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a century-long struggle rooted in competing claims to the same land. Jews see Israel as the restoration of their ancient homeland, while Palestinians view it as the loss of theirs through displacement and occupation. Key turning points—from the 1948 war and refugee crisis to the 1967 Six-Day War, Oslo peace efforts, and the rise of Hamas—have deepened mutual mistrust. The October 7th, 2023 Hamas attack and Israel’s ensuing war in Gaza reignited trauma on both sides. Whether peace is possible now depends on finding empathy beyond history’s wounds.
Big Ideas
- Israelis and Palestinians have different narratives about the origins, causes, and possible solutions to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
- The conflict has evolved from a regional struggle to a deeply personal and global issue shaped by politics, power, and identity.
- Every attempt at peace reflects both deep hopes for coexistence and the mistrust, trauma, and politics that make lasting resolution so difficult to achieve.
Essential Questions
- How do Israeli and Palestinian viewpoints differ regarding the origins of, reasons for continuing, and potential solutions to the conflict?
- How have internal pressures and external influences shaped the course of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict over time?
- What lessons can be learned from past peace efforts, and what makes finding a lasting solution so difficult?
