UPSC Notes

Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

PYQs

14

Articles

2

Momentum

38

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

Understanding major global conflicts, their historical roots, international efforts for resolution, India's evolving stance, and their impact on regional stability and global power dynamics.

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is an ongoing dispute over land and self-determination, primarily involving the State of Israel and Palestinians in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem. The West Bank, occupied by Israel since 1967, is central to this conflict, characterized by Israeli settlements, military control, and complex administrative divisions.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Historical Roots

Traces back to late 19th/early 20th century Zionist movement and Arab nationalism, intensified after 1948 Arab-Israeli War.

Occupied Territories

West Bank, Gaza Strip, East Jerusalem, occupied by Israel since the 1967 Six-Day War.

Administrative Divisions

Oslo Accords divided the West Bank into Areas A, B, and C with varying degrees of Palestinian and Israeli control (e.g., Area B: Palestinian civil administration, Israeli security coordination).

International Law

Israeli settlements in occupied territories are considered illegal under international law (Fourth Geneva Convention).

Core Issues

Status of Jerusalem, borders, Israeli settlements, Palestinian right of return, security arrangements.

Two-State Solution

Widely accepted international framework for peace, envisioning an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel.

Key Agreements

Oslo Accords (1993, 1995) aimed at interim self-government arrangements.

UN Resolutions

Numerous UN Security Council and General Assembly resolutions address various aspects of the conflict, including the illegality of settlements.

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaInternational Relations

Reference table

Institutions & roles

BodyRole
United NationsMediates and monitors
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Factual recall

Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis

Quick revision

  • Historical background and key events.
  • Status of West Bank, Gaza, East Jerusalem.
  • Concept of Israeli settlements and international law.
  • Two-state solution and its challenges.
  • Role of UN and other international actors.

High-confidence PYQs

Topic timeline

International Relations
Prelims 2016· Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

Israeli military closes Palestinian Christian village Taybeh, citing settler attacks

10 Aug 2026 · The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a protracted geopolitical issue centered on land and self-determination in the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem, involving Israeli occupation, settlements, and international efforts for a two-state solution.

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Israel’s West Bank push imperils long-term peace

24 Aug 2026 · The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a complex, long-standing dispute over land and sovereignty, central to Middle East geopolitics, with the two-state solution being the primary international framework for resolution.

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Related topics

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 14 linked questions on Israeli-Palestinian Conflict in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

UPSC Prelims PYQs on Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Practice official previous year questions asked by UPSC related to this concept.

Consider the following statements: Statement-I :Israel has established diplomatic relations with some Arab States. Statement-II :The 'Arab Peace Initiative...

2023·International Relations
Solve

Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists : | List I (UN Peacekeeping Operation) | List II (Period of Operation) ...

2026·International Relations
Solve

With reference to the “United Nations Credentials Committee”, consider the following statements: 1. It is a committee set up by the UN Security Council and w...

2022·International Relations
Solve

Consider the following statements : Statement-I: Recently, the United States of America (USA) and the European Union (EU) have launched the 'Trade and Techn...

2023·International Relations
Solve

Which of the following is not a member of ‘Gulf Cooperation Council’?

2016·International Relations
Solve

The term "two-state solution" is sometimes mentioned in the news in the context of the affairs of -

2018·International Relations
Solve

The area known as ‘Golan Heights’ sometimes appears in the news in the context of the events related to:

2015·International Relations
Solve

The longest border between any two countries in the world is between :

2024·Geography
Solve

In the Indian context, what is the implication of ratifying the 'Additional Protocol' with the `International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)'?

2018·International Relations
Solve

Consider the following pairs : Regions : often Reason for being in news 1. North Kivu and Ituri : War between Armenia and Azerbaijan 2. Nagorno-Karabakh : In...

2023·International Relations
Solve

Consider the following statements: 1. Bidibidi is a large refugee settlement in north -western Kenya. 2. Some people who fled from South Sudan civil war l...

2022·International Relations
Solve

With reference to the United Nations General Assembly, consider the following statements: 1. The UN General Assembly can grant observer status to the non-mem...

2022·International Relations
Solve

Which of the following international conventions have **not** been ratified by India? 1. Employment Policy Convention 2. Abolition of Forced Labour Conventi...

2026·International Relations
Solve

Consider the following pairs : Area of conflict mentioned in news Country where it is located 1. Donbas : Syria 2. Kachin : Ethiopia 3. Tigray : North Yem...

2023·International Relations
Solve

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