1 gen 1948 anni - Zionism and Israel

Descrizione:

As nationalistic sentiment soars across Europe during the 19th century, many groups who do not currently rule nations of their own, seek to form them. In some cases this leads to unrest in cosmopolitan empires, such as Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire, which eventually produce independent states of their own such as Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia and Bulgaria.

However of all the ethnic groups and nations, the one with perhaps the most troubled history in Europe is faced with a question that causes a great schism. "Do we also seek a nation of our own, or do we integrate into our local European communities?" This is the European Jewish community's great question.

While the older, more conservative school favours continued integration, considering the expansion of rights they have received across Italy and Germany recently as an example of the successes of integration, the younger school seeks to create a home of their own.

This younger school becomes known as "Zionism" and it is they who seek to create a Jewish 'national home'. Many locations are considered as possible choices but the most popular is Palestine, then a part of the Ottoman Empire and the ethnic and religious origin of Jews.

The Zionists encourage a revival of the extinct Hebrew language, to date the only language to be successfully revived on a large scale, and support art that favours their cause. While the Jewish communities around the world are often opposed to this, their is growing support.

During the First World War, seeking the support of Jewish militias in the middle eastern campaign, the British Government, through Arthur Balfour, issue "The Balfour Declaration". In this they give their support for a "national home" though are careful to not mention a nation or state directly.

Concurrent to this, Jewish migration to Palestine soars and after the First World War, the British Government who have been given a mandate to rule Palestine, place some restrictions on Jewish migration to the area.

Ultimately however, the Second World War and the Holocaust prove to be the straw that breaks the camel's back. facing anti-semitism and violent pogroms even after the Holocause, many of Europe's Jews are disenchanted with the idea of integrating with their local communities.

An attempt to partition Palestine between Jews and Arabs by the UN ultimately fails and conflict between Palestinian Jews and Arabs erupts, with neighbouring Arab states aiding the Arabs of Palestine.

Ultimately Israeli forces succeed and the republic of Israel is declared, and recognised by many nations. The Gaza Strip would be occupied by Egypt while the West Bank would be occupied by Jordan, with the rest of the territory being occupied or owned by Egypt.

In time the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO) under Yasser Arafat would come to represent Palestine instead of Egypt and Jordan, but despite renouncing terrorism and making great steps towards peace, these attempts ultimately fail and the conflict continues to this day.

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