Before World War I, Palestine was part of the Ottoman Empire. Zionist immigration led to the displacement of Arab peasants. The Balfour Declaration in 1917 supported a Jewish homeland, causing conflict with the Arab majority. The 1939 White Paper proposed limits on Jewish immigration, but the British-supported Zionist movement gained control. In 1947-48, Israel was created through the partition of Palestine. Palestinians lacked support and opposition, resulting in the Nakba, ethnic cleansing, and displacement. The PLO rose in the aftermath, advocating for Palestinian rights. The 1982 Israeli invasion of Lebanon and the first Intifada marked turning points. The Oslo Accords led to disillusionment, with continued Israeli control. Hamas emerged as an alternative to the PLO. The Gaza blockade and wars further intensified the conflict. American opinion shifted, but policy remained pro-Israel. The ongoing conflict continues to inflict death and destruction in the region.