This commentary is by Martin Cohn, a public relations consultant from Springfield.
When we discuss Gaza and the West Bank, we usually start with what’s happening now: Israel’s control, the Palestinians’ desire for a state, and the violence that never seems to end. It’s a situation that can feel far away, yet somehow always present. But if we only look at the current state of things, we’re missing an important part of the story, one that makes everything more complicated and maybe even changes how we think about it, especially here in Vermont.
After the 1948 Arab-Israeli War — a conflict between the newly founded state of Israel and surrounding Arab nations following the end of the British Mandate in Palestine, which resulted in the mass displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, known as the Nakba — Gaza and the West Bank were not controlled by Israel but governed by neighboring Arab countries. Jordan took control of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and formally annexed the territory in 1950, a move recognized by only three countries — the United Kingdom, Iraq and Pakistan — and widely condemned by the rest of the international community. Egypt was in charge of Gaza. It should be noted that during the Suez crisis, Israel occupied Gaza for approximately four months, from late October 1956 until March 1957, after which Israel withdrew under intense pressure from the U.S. and the U.N., returning control to Egypt.
While Jordan extended full citizenship to Palestinians in the West Bank and gave them representation in its parliament, it didn’t offer self-determination or a path toward an independent Palestinian state. Meanwhile, in Gaza, Egypt controlled the military, but it didn’t annex the territory or help it become independent. As a result, Palestinians in Gaza didn’t have much say in how they lived their lives and often struggled with poverty and limited freedoms. They were stuck in a tough spot, without a clear way to make their own decisions or improve their situation.
This history brings up some tough but important questions. For almost 20 years, the land that many people now call “occupied Palestinian territory” was controlled by Arab governments, but no Palestinian state was ever created. Recognizing this fact doesn’t detract from the validity of Palestinian hopes and dreams today. However, we need to consider the whole story, not just one part.
The Six-Day War in June 1967 — a brief, decisive conflict between Israel and its Arab neighbors, Egypt, Jordan and Syria — put Gaza and the West Bank under Israeli control and changed the conflict in lasting ways that impact talks and discussions today. However, the reasons behind the current stalemate go back even further, influenced by regional politics, competing interests and missed chances involving many different parties. It’s a complex situation with a long history, and understanding the past is key to making sense of the present. The war may have been a turning point, but it’s just one part of a bigger story that involves many countries and interests.
So why should Vermonters care about this history?
The impact of global conflicts is felt deeply, even from afar. Here, in our own backyard, the effects are tangible: in passionate protests on the Statehouse lawn, heated debates at town meetings, lively discussions on college campuses and around dinner tables where families and friends gather. The people of Vermont are known for their strong sense of justice and civic engagement, often taking a keen interest in global issues. However, in our enthusiasm to take a stand, we sometimes risk simplifying complex histories into catchy slogans or taking sides without fully understanding the nuances of the situation.
To really make a difference with our voices, we need to see the whole picture. The conflict between Israel and Palestine is not just about two groups of people. It’s also about the countries around them, powerful nations from elsewhere, and choices that have been made over many years, not just recently.
That complexity doesn’t point to easy answers. It does suggest that lasting progress will require more than assigning blame. Any durable solution will likely depend on leadership from both Israelis and Palestinians, alongside constructive engagement from the broader international community.
For people in Vermont, the key takeaway might be to focus on having deeper conversations rather than just picking a side. Since Vermont is a place where people care about being informed and taking part in their community, we can show others how to have a different kind of discussion, one that’s based on what’s happened in the past, open to different perspectives and careful not to jump to conclusions too quickly. This way, we can have more meaningful talks and really get to the heart of the matter.
The things we talk about in our local communities, from Montpelier to Brattleboro, are often influenced by complex and lengthy pasts. It’s the same story in the Middle East. The current situation didn’t just start in 1967, and recognizing this might be the key to having a more open and useful conversation, both in our own country and with others.
