What is the core conflict between Israel and Palestine?

Origins of the Conflict

The question of the core conflict between Israel and Palestine has roots extending back to ancient times, intersecting deeply with scriptural covenant promises, Middle Eastern history, and modern geopolitical realities. While current events and international relations contribute to ongoing tensions, an understanding of the foundational aspects begins with the accounts in Scripture.

Biblical Foundations of the Land

God’s promise of land to the descendants of Abraham is a central theme in the Hebrew Scriptures. In Genesis 12:7, it is recorded, “Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, ‘To your offspring I will give this land.’” This promise is reiterated and clarified in Genesis 15:18: “On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, ‘To your descendants I have given this land…’”

From a survey of Old Testament passages, the land (often referred to as Canaan) was a covenant gift to the Israelites, who traced their lineage to Abraham through Isaac and Jacob. This divine covenant introduced a unique relationship between Yahweh, Israel, and the physical territory. Over the centuries, various conquests, exiles, and dispersions (including the Babylonian exile in 586 BC) shaped Israel’s connection to the land, yet the biblical record consistently speaks of a promise that directed Jewish identity back to the region.

Historical/Archaeological Corroboration

Numerous archaeological findings affirm the longstanding historical presence of the Jewish people in this region:

• The Merneptah Stele (13th century BC) is one of the earliest external references to “Israel” as a people group in Canaan.

• The Tel Dan Stele (9th century BC) references the royal “House of David.”

• Excavations in Jerusalem and throughout Israel have unearthed evidence of Iron Age homes, city walls, and religious artifacts (including seals bearing names found in Scripture) that align with the biblical narrative of Israel’s settlement and monarchy.

These artifacts confirm a historical continuity that supports scriptural accounts, lending weight to the biblical description of Israel’s long-standing ties to the land.

The Emergence of Palestinian Identity

While there are ancient references to various peoples (e.g., Philistines, Canaanites, and other city-state inhabitants) in the same region, the modern Palestinian identity largely coalesced over many centuries of shifting empires—Ottoman, British, and others—that governed the area. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, rising nationalism among both Jews (Zionism) and Arabs in the region led to renewed tensions, especially as Jewish populations returned in increasing numbers, often citing biblical promises and historical land claims.

Modern Geopolitical Developments

1. Ottoman Rule to British Mandate

Until 1917, the Ottoman Empire controlled much of the Middle East, including Palestine (the name widely used for the geographical area). After World War I, the territory fell under the British Mandate. The Balfour Declaration of 1917 expressed British support for the establishment of a “national home for the Jewish people,” igniting hopes among Jewish communities worldwide and growing concern among local Arabs.

2. Formation of the State of Israel

Following the Holocaust and World War II, international support for a Jewish state intensified. In 1947, the United Nations proposed a partition plan for separate Jewish and Arab states. Israel declared independence in 1948, leading to regional conflict. Many Arabs in the region viewed the establishment of Israel as a colonial imposition, while Jewish communities viewed it as both a prophetic return and a necessary homeland after generations of persecution.

3. Subsequent Wars and Tensions

Wars in 1948, 1967, and 1973 reshaped boundaries and displaced populations on both sides. The Six-Day War of 1967 in particular brought East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza under Israeli control, intensifying the dispute over land claims.

Spiritual/Covenantal Perspective

From a theological viewpoint, many believe the Tanakh (or Old Testament) portrays an unbroken connection between the Jewish people and the land. Deuteronomy 7:6–8 emphasizes Israel’s special election: “For you are a people holy to the LORD your God… because the LORD loved you.” Some interpret this to mean that modern Israel has a right to territorial restoration, whereas others point to biblical injunctions about justice for sojourners (Leviticus 19:33–34) as a reminder that God holds all nations accountable to His standards of righteousness and compassion.

Continued Dispute and Core Conflict

Despite ancient promises, the practical reality is that both Israelis and Palestinians lay claim to the same physical territories based on distinct historical narratives and identity formation:

• Israelis primarily cite biblical covenants and the modern re-establishment of statehood legitimized through international agreements.

• Palestinians view themselves as indigenous inhabitants who have resided in the land for centuries, demanding recognition of their historical continuity and national aspirations.

Consequently, the “core conflict” arises from competing narratives regarding ownership, sovereignty, and historical ties, all amplified by religious sentiment, international politics, and cultural identity.

Societal and Behavioral Dimensions

Human conflict often stems from deeply rooted perceptions of identity and belonging. Behavioral science recognizes that territorial disputes trigger core tribal instincts, fueled by collective memory and intergenerational trauma. Overcoming such entrenched perspectives requires mutual acknowledgment of history, empathy, and ongoing efforts to build sustainable, peaceful solutions.

Archaeological and Historical Confirmations

Beyond the widely known scrolls at Qumran (Dead Sea Scrolls)—which affirm the consistency and antiquity of the Hebrew Scriptures—several continued discoveries shed light on the region’s messy history of conquests, cultural blending, and religious pilgrimage. These findings highlight the longstanding and often overlapping claims that both communities articulate.

Philosophical and Theological Considerations

From a biblical standpoint, the question goes beyond politics to the heart of covenant theology. In Romans 9–11, the Apostle Paul addresses the continuing role of Israel and God’s plans for both Jew and Gentile. While political boundaries are in dispute, many interpret Scripture to affirm a future resolution when all nations will be blessed in the ultimate salvation plan—foreshadowed in the Abrahamic promise (Genesis 12:3) and culminating in the resurrection hope central to the person of Christ.

Points of Tension and Hope

• Tension arises because each community sees the territory in existential terms.

• Outside influences—political, religious, and economic—fuel mistrust.

• Nevertheless, the biblical vision of peace (Isaiah 2:2–4, Micah 4:1–4) includes a future of nations streaming to worship God and settling disputes with justice and harmony.

Individuals and organizations regularly strive for practical measures of reconciliation. Efforts include joint cultural programs, interfaith dialogues, and peacemaking initiatives rooted in Scripture-based principles of forgiveness and neighborly love (Matthew 22:37–39).

Conclusion

The core conflict between Israel and Palestine is layered: it intertwines scriptural covenant claims to the land, shared and contested histories, national identities, and modern political dynamics. Ancient biblical texts shape the lens through which believers often view these events, emphasizing promises dating back to Abraham. Archeological and historical findings provide context for the longevity and complexity of these claims. Ultimately, the conflict remains most deeply about overlapping narratives of who belongs where—and it is woven into questions of faith, identity, justice, and hope for lasting peace.

Any lasting resolution will require grappling with these ancient covenant themes while simultaneously addressing modern realities and human aspirations for safety and recognition. The tension underscores a broader biblical theme of humanity’s longing for righteous governance—an ultimate reality that, according to biblical teaching, only finds its fullness in the divine plan.