Nationalist movements as keys to the solution of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict

Abstract

The conflict between Palestinians and Israelis is one of the longest and most complex confrontations
inherited from the past century, marked by a series of factors such as armed clashes, population
displacements, and diplomatic movements to assert their positions. Due to this, nationalism plays
a fundamental role in accentuating the confrontations and is the central basis for promoting a
just and lasting solution to the conflict. With the emergence of the Jewish national movement
(Zionism) in the late 19th century and the rise of Palestinian Arab nationalism during the 20th
century, both movements have transformed into platforms of identity and the assertion of the
rights of both populations. The Zionist movement promoted the creation of a national home for
the Jewish people in the ancestral land of Israel, achieving its goal with the founding of the State of
Israel in 1948. On the other hand, Palestinian nationalism has sought self-determination and the
recognition of an independent state in the historical territories of Palestine, leading to the creation
of representative bodies, although initially focused on achieving this objective through a war of
destruction against the Israelis. Understanding how nationalist movements could contribute to
solving the conflict involves analyzing the historical and cultural roots of these identities, as well
as contemporary political and social dynamics. The aspirations of both peoples could be key to
achieving sustainable and just peace.