Explainer: The Palestine-Israel conflict
What’s happening in Israel and Palestine and what we can do about it
The conflict between Israel and Palestine can be traced back to over a century ago and has since claimed the lives of thousands of people. (Unsplash/Mohammed Ibrahim)
Editor’s Note: This article has been updated for accuracy. The Runner regrets the error.
This article contains details about war and death. If you need support, people can text 741741 to Kids Help Phone to talk to a trained, volunteer crisis responder.
The result of a colonial act carried out in 1917, the Palestine-Israel conflict has claimed the lives of more than 3,000 Palestinians and wounded an additional 10,000 after a Palestinian militant group, Hamas, attacked several Israeli towns, killing at least 1,400 people on Oct. 7.
In response, Israel launched a bombing campaign in the Gaza Strip, a Palestinian territory bordered by Israel on the eastern coast, cutting off communications and electricity. The city has a population of 2.2 million people with over one million internally displaced in the aftermath.
As the attacks from Israel continue, the World Health Organization has warned of only 24 hours worth of water, electricity, and fuel left in the area.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that Israel has the right to defend itself against the attacks from Hamas, adding the conflict is “the responsibility and the fault of the terrorist organization known as Hamas.” He added that Canada will continue to support the safety of civilians affected by the conflict, whether Palestinians or Israelis.
The NDP has called for “an end to the siege and bombardment of Gaza.”
The federal government has also provided $10 million in humanitarian assistance as a result of the worsening crisis in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and Israel. The funding aims to provide food, water, emergency medical, and other life-saving assistance.
United States President Joe Biden pledged to give military aid to Israel on a one-day visit to the country.
Kwantlen Polytechnic University also issued a statement to students about the conflict which read, “While we respect the right of Palestinian people to address legitimate grievances as well as Israel’s right to defend itself, indiscriminate violence against innocent civilians is unconscionable.”
Journalists in the Gaza Strip have been working without internet and electricity since the bombings started. At least 15 journalists in the area have since been killed, and some of those wearing press vests have been targeted.
The conflict is rooted back to 1917 when Arthur Balfour, then-foreign secretary of Britain, wrote a 67-word letter, called the Balfour Declaration, to Lionel Walter Rothschild, a leading figure in the British Jewish community.
The declaration was a pledge from Britain to establish a national home for Jewish people in Palestine and is assumed to be one of reasons that spurred the conflict. It enabled the immigration of Jews into Palestine, where a majority of the population was non-Jewish. It also asserted that Palestine would be under British occupation, meaning Palestinian living there would not be independent.
The declaration has since been condemned by leading Palestinian figures as a violation of international law for failing to take into account the interests of the Palestinians. It has also led to tensions and violence between Arab and Jewish people.
While Israel disputes claims of occupation in Gaza ever since Hamas came to power in 2007, their control of airspace and territorial waters in the region suggests otherwise, according to the United Nations. This had led to questions about the status of Gaza ever since.
However, there are ways we can show support to the people impacted by the bombardment in affected areas. The Canada Palestine Association has organized a number of rallies in response to Israel bombing a hospital with hundreds of people seeking shelter in the Gaza Strip which killed nearly 500 people in an air raid.
The incident has resulted in protests across the Middle East including the West Bank where tear gas and stun grenades were used by security forces to disperse protesters. The Israeli military denied any responsibility for the attack, blaming it on a failed rocket launch by a Palestinian armed group.
There are several ways to help civilians impacted by the conflict. Islamic Relief Canada is an organization that aims to provide emergency aid and access to basic amenities in case of disasters. They launched an “Access to Aid” campaign in response to the conflict that calls for the establishment of a humanitarian corridor in Gaza.
Save the Children has set up a children’s emergency fund to provide humanitarian assistance to children impacted by the escalating violence in Palestine. People interested in donating can do so by filling out the form on their website.
The World Food Programme distributes fresh bread and canned food to shelters and is looking for funds to increase food and cash assistance to Palestanians in Gaza and the West Bank. Interested people can donate to their Palestine emergency appeal.
Doctors without Borders is providing medical care and supplies to hospitals and health facilities across Gaza. Interested people can donate on their website.
People can donate to the Federation Annual Campaign in part by the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver, NIF Canada, and the Jewish National Fund of Canada to support people in Israel.
