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Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

PYQs

8

Articles

1

Momentum

21

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

Crucial for understanding West Asian geopolitics, international law (occupation, human rights), and the role of international organizations. India's historical stance and evolving foreign policy are also relevant.

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).

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: Multi-statement analysis

Prelims angle: Institutional roles and functions

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

2026Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

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) ...

International RelationsOpen question
2024Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

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

GeographyOpen question
2023Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

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

International RelationsOpen question
2022Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions

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...

International RelationsOpen question

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...

International RelationsOpen question
2022Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

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...

International RelationsOpen question

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...

International RelationsOpen question
2018Factual recall, Terminology-based question

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

International RelationsOpen question

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

International RelationsOpen question
2018Conceptual understanding, Policy measures

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

International RelationsOpen question

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

International RelationsOpen question
2016Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

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

International RelationsOpen question

Topic timeline

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

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

Open question
Prelims 2018· Factual recall, Terminology-based question

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

Open question

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

Open question
Prelims 2018· Conceptual understanding, Policy measures

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

Open question

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

Open question
Prelims 2022· Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions

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...

Open question

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...

Open question
Prelims 2022· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

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...

Open question

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...

Open question
Prelims 2023· Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

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

Open question
Prelims 2024· Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

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

Open question
Prelims 2026· Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

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) ...

Open question

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.

Read article

Related topics

Current topic

Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Often confused with

Israeli Settler Violence

Open notes

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 8 linked questions on Israeli-Palestinian Conflict in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

See Mains PYQsEvaluate an answer

UPSC Prelims PYQs on Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

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

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

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

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

2018·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

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

2018·International Relations
Solve

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

2024·Geography
Solve

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