The Israel-Palestine War Did Not Start Because of What You Were Told
The conflict between Israel and Palestine is one of the most complex and long-lasting in the world. Many people think that the root of the problem is the religious and ethnic differences between the two peoples, or the historical claims to the land of Palestine. However, there is a bigger and more hidden reason behind the war, which has to do with the strategic and economic interests of powerful actors in the region and beyond.
The Role of Oil and Gas in the Middle East
The Middle East is a region rich in natural resources, especially oil and gas. These resources are vital for the global economy, as they provide energy and fuel for many industries and countries. Therefore, whoever controls the oil and gas fields and pipelines in the Middle East has a great advantage and influence over the world.
One of the main goals of Israel is to secure its access to these resources and to prevent its enemies from doing the same. Israel has been involved in several wars and conflicts with its Arab neighbors, such as Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq, over the control of oil and gas fields and pipelines.
For example, in 1967, Israel occupied the Sinai Peninsula, which has oil reserves, and the Golan Heights, which has water resources. In 1982, Israel invaded Lebanon, which has gas fields offshore, and tried to install a puppet government there. In 2003, Israel supported the US-led invasion of Iraq, which has the second-largest oil reserves in the world.
Israel also has its own oil and gas fields, mainly in the Mediterranean Sea. In 2009, Israel discovered a huge gas field called Leviathan, which is estimated to contain 22 trillion cubic feet of gas.
This discovery has increased Israel’s ambition to become a regional energy hub and to export gas to Europe and Asia. However, Israel faces competition and opposition from other countries in the region, such as Turkey, Cyprus, Greece, Egypt, and Lebanon, which also have claims and interests in the Mediterranean gas fields.
The Role of the United States and Other Powers in the Middle East
The United States is Israel’s main ally and supporter in the region and the world. The US provides Israel with military, economic, and diplomatic assistance, and often vetoes any UN resolutions that criticize or condemn Israel. The US also shares Israel’s strategic and economic interests in the Middle East, as it wants to secure its own access to oil and gas resources and to counter the influence of its rivals, such as Russia, China, and Iran.
The US has been involved in several wars and interventions in the Middle East, such as the 1991 Gulf War, the 2003 Iraq War, the 2011 Libya War, and the ongoing Syria War. The US has also imposed sanctions and threats on Iran, which is Israel’s main enemy in the region and a major oil and gas producer. The US and Israel have accused Iran of developing nuclear weapons and supporting terrorist groups, such as Hezbollah and Hamas, which are fighting against Israel.
However, the US and Israel are not the only powers that have interests and involvement in the Middle East. Russia, China, and the European Union are also competing and cooperating with the US and Israel in the region. Russia and China have been supporting and arming some of Israel’s enemies, such as Iran, Syria, and Hezbollah, and have been opposing some of the US and Israel’s actions, such as the sanctions on Iran and the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
The European Union has been trying to play a more active and balanced role in the Middle East, as it depends on the region’s oil and gas supplies and as it faces the consequences of the refugee crisis and the rise of extremism.
The Role of Palestine in the Middle East
Palestine is the land that lies between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River, and that is home to millions of Palestinians, who are mostly Muslims and Christians. Palestine has been under Israeli occupation since 1967, when Israel captured the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem. Since then, Israel has built illegal settlements, walls, checkpoints, and roads on Palestinian land, and has imposed a blockade on Gaza, which has turned it into an open-air prison. Israel has also denied the Palestinians their basic rights, such as freedom of movement, access to water and electricity, and self-determination.
The Palestinians have been resisting the Israeli occupation and oppression for decades, using various forms of struggle, such as armed resistance, civil disobedience, popular protests, and diplomatic efforts. The Palestinians have also sought international recognition and support for their cause, and have joined several international organizations, such as the UN, the International Criminal Court, and UNESCO.
The Palestinians have also formed several political factions and movements, such as the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), Fatah, Hamas, and Islamic Jihad, which have different ideologies and strategies, but share the same goal of liberating Palestine and establishing an independent state.
Palestine is not only a victim of the Israeli occupation, but also a key factor in the Middle East conflict. Palestine is a symbol of resistance and justice for many people in the region and the world, who support the Palestinian cause and oppose the Israeli aggression. Palestine is also a source of tension and instability for many countries in the region and the world, who fear the escalation of violence and the outbreak of war. Palestine is also a potential partner and peacemaker for many countries in the region and the world, who hope for a peaceful and lasting solution to the conflict.
Israel and Palestine war cause
The Israel-Palestine war is not a simple or isolated conflict, but a complex and interconnected one, that involves many actors, interests, and dimensions. The war did not start because of what you were told, but because of something much bigger: the struggle for power and resources in the Middle East and beyond. The war will not end until the root causes of the conflict are addressed and resolved, and until the rights and dignity of the Palestinians are respected and restored.
