(High level – lesson – Reading for facts and understanding of the Israel-Hams War)

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The challenges of and hostilities toward Israel

Since its establishment as an independent state in 1948, Israel has faced many challenges, setbacks, and hostilities being the only Jewish country surrounded by Arab countries in the Middle East. So what are and has been the implications?

1. Ongoing conflict and security threats

Wars with neighboring Arab states: Israel has fought wars against neighboring Arab countries

1. the 1948 Arab-Israeli War
2. the 1956 Suez Crisis
3. the 1967 Six-Day War
4. the 1973 Yom Kippur War
5. the 1982 Lebanon War, and  
6. the most recent major attack on Israel by Hamas on October 7, 2023.

Israel has faced continuous threats from various militant groups, leading to numerous security operations and ongoing violence, particularly in the Gaza Strip. 

• Hamas, a Palestinian Sunni Islamist militant group and political party that governs the Gaza Strip, has constantly engaged in armed conflicts with Israel, including launching rocket attacks, carrying out bombings, and conducting cross-border infiltrations.  On October 7, 2023 Hamas attacked Israel with a barrage of at least 2,200 rockets launched from the Gaza Strip into Israel for 20 minutes.  Hamas fighters crossed the border from the south of Israel and killed around 1,200 people, including civilians and security forces, and took 251 people as hostages, bringing them back into Gaza as a collateral for negotiation and demands. Israel responded almost immediately with retaliatory airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, targeting Hamas fighters and weapons. For almost two years Israel has been at war with Hamas which has had a devastating impact on the territory and its inhabitants. 

The Results – 

1. More than 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed since the October 7th attack.

2. Over 61,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza strip, with over 152,000 injured in the Israeli offensive that followed.

Mother holds child after bombing in Gaza by Israel forces

3. Approximately 251 Israeli and foreign nationals were taken hostage on October 7th. To date 97 hostages remain in Gaza, with maybe 20 still alive and the rest deceased.  Hamas has stated that the release of the remaining hostages is contingent upon a permanent ceasefire in the conflicht and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, along with the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israel custody.

• Hezbollah is a  Shia Lebanese political party and militant group with strong ties to Iran.  They are located in Seria, north of Israel. Hezbollah has engaged in several armed conflicts with Israel, including cross-border attacks and launching rockets into Israel. The latest conflict between Israel and Hezbollah escalated significantly in October 2023 following the Hamas attacks. Hezbollah is considered a terrorist organization by Israel, the United States, and the United Kingdom.

2. Diplomatic isolation and international relations

Regional tensions:  Despite peace treaties with Egypt and Jordan, and normalized relations with some Arab countries via the Abraham Accords, Israel continues to face tensions with other nations in the region.  Israel has faced international condemnation for its policies and actions related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, human rights issues and settlement expansion. 

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3. Domestic political and social issues

Judicial reforms: Controversial proposals to change Israel’s judicial system have triggered significant national debate and protests about the balance of power between the branches of government. 

• Like the United States Israel has three main branches of government: executive, legislative, and judicial. The executive branch is primarily headed by the Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and the cabinet (also known as the Government), while the legislative branch is the Knesset, Israel’s parliament. The judicial branch is led by the Supreme Court.

The presence of ultra-nationalist figures in the ruling coalition has sparked controversy and raised concerns about their impact on domestic and foreign policy.

Religious divides: The growing Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) community’s exemption from military service has created tensions within Israeli society and poses challenges to national unity. The Haredim (plural for Haredi means “ultra-Orthodox.”  According to the Torah and the Jewish law (Halakhah), the Haredim believe they must segregate themselves from the broader secular society to maintain their religious values.  They believe that secular influences can distract from their religious devotion and may lead to a departure from Jewish tradition. They have their own educational system (yeshivas) which prioritizes religious studies over secular subjects. Haredim often strive to limit their contact with the outside world, minimizing interaction with non-Haredi Jews and non-Jews where possible. 

4. Human rights concerns

Treatment of Palestinians: Israel has been accused of violations of international humanitarian law and human rights abuses against Palestinians, including unlawful killings, restrictions on movement, and arbitrary detention.

Allegations of apartheid: Some human rights organizations, such as Amnesty International, claim that Israel operates a system of apartheid against Palestinians, involving oppression, dispossession of land and property, segregation, and deprivation of economic and social rights.

(Source from Google news about war between Israel & Hamas)

Questions for you about the war situation and about wars in general

1. In your opinion what is the solution to the conflict between Israel and Hamas? How can peace be achieved? Is peace a reality?
2. Why is there so much conflict between Israel and the Palestinian, Hamas and Hezbollah?
3. Are there conflicts in your country? Tell about them in a 3 – 4 sentences.
4. Are wars necessary to achieve peace in the world?
5. Why is the human race always fighting each other? What are they fighting for?
6. Is war or fighting part of the human nature?

(Feel free to respond to any question to voice your opinion and mail your response to the author of this website: mvc3300@gmail.com)