S2 E30: The origin of the Israel Palestine conflict and the backstories to this region

Palestine has an ancient history - going back many thousands of years. In this episode, we trace the stories of this region going back 3000 years, from the times of Moses right until now. The Jews were a dominant race in that region right until the Roman invasion. Soon after the birth of Jesus Christ, Christiantity gained favour and the Jews were a smaller share of the population. After the rule of the Romans and the Byzantine empire, the region is conquered by the Ottomans who then help spread Islam.
By the beginning of the first world war, this is a region largely occupied by peasant and farmers and shepherds, who were predominantly Muslims and pretty much minding their own business.
At the end of the first world war, a few men sitting in the parlours of England are getting ready to share the lands of the losers - including the Ottomans. Interestingly, one of them is a man raised on classic literature - Lord Balfour. He feels that the Jews need a national home for themselves and shoots off a letter to Lord Rothschild affirming his support for this Jewish home. Soon after, British forces march into Palestine and impose their colonial rule.
Jewish refugees who are fleeing persecution in many parts of Europe are trickling into Palestine. The British help them find land and slowly the Arabs who are the natives of the land find themselves evicted. In a short span of of 30 years, the Arabs have lost large tracts of lands and are beginning to revolt against the British and pick fights with the Jews as well. The British pack up their bags and leave the area. The UN steps in and suggests that the Palestinians and the Jews divvy up the land roughly half and half. The Jews are thrilled to find a home for themselves and call this country - Israel. The Arabs reject the proposal. The next 75 years is filled with revolts and conflicts between the Palestinians supported by neighbouring Arab nations, and Israel. In all of this, the Palestinians are left as refugees in their own country, with little to no voices of their own.

Listen to William Dalrymple and Anita Anand on this topic: https://open.spotify.com/episode/67Mz5XslS4pPwGtIfGoyYJ?si=bddf69351c324ca8

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