Palestine State Neighbouring Countries and Middle Eastern Neighbors
Neighboring Countries of Palestine
Palestine rubs elbows with a few movers and shakers in the Middle East: Egypt, Israel, and Jordan indeed play pivotal parts in its story. Getting to know these lines on the map gives a better look at where Palestine fits in with its neighbors.
Borders with Egypt, Israel, Jordan
Egypt:
At the foot of the Gaza Strip lies the border with Egypt, stretching about 12 kilometers (7.5 miles). It marks the southern end, and it’s as neighborly as these things get.
Israel:
The boundary with Israel is an expansive tale, covering the lengths of both Gaza Strip and West Bank. To the west, the Gaza Strip cozies up to the Mediterranean Sea, while on the east, it’s Israel. In the West Bank, the Green Line tells the story—a ceasefire line turned boundary.
Jordan:
Over to the east, the Jordan River draws the line with Jordan, casually flowing along the West Bank, leaving its mark on history and politics alike.
Defining Boundaries
The tale of Palestine’s borders is a thick book filled with history and geopolitics, sometimes with a dash of dispute. Here’s how it looks:
- East Side Story – The Jordan River: It streams along, framing a natural divider for the West Bank, wagging a finger to Jordan.
- West Coast Charm – The Mediterranean Sea: Gaza gets its beach fix here, thanks to its coastline hugging the Mediterranean, bringing in those sea vibes and maritime perks.
- North and South Chronicles – Modern Israel Boundaries: Up north, they brush against Lebanon’s fence with modern Israel. Down south, it’s sand time with the Negev Desert, stretching toward the Gulf of Aqaba.
Here’s a quick rundown of how Palestine bonds with its neighbors:
| Border | Neighboring Country | Length/Description |
|---|---|---|
| West | Egypt | 12 km (Gaza Strip) |
| East | Israel | Green Line (West Bank), Mediterranean Coast (Gaza Strip) |
| East | Jordan | Jordan River |
Getting the lowdown on these borders and neighbors is key to understanding the vibe of the region’s geography and politics. Curious about other spots? Check out our takes on Malaysia’s neighboring countries and Morocco’s neighboring countries.
Population of Palestine
Taking a look at the population story of Palestine helps us see how its demographic makeup has shifted over time. This understanding is helpful for folks curious about Palestine’s nearby nations.
Historical Estimates
Back in 1850, Palestine housed roughly 350,000 people. The majority were Muslims, making up about 85%, while Christians comprised around 11%, and Jews around 4% (Wikipedia).
Fast forward to 1914, the numbers had changed with political and social shifts:
| Year | Muslims | Christians | Jews | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 297,500 | 38,500 | 14,000 | 350,000 |
| 1914 | 657,000 | 81,000 | 59,000 | 797,000 |
This data shows a large Muslim Arab population, a stable Christian Arab community, and an increasing Jewish presence.
Current Population Figures
Jumping to more recent times, the Palestinian population has been on the rise. By 2015, here’s how the numbers broke down:
| Region | Population |
|---|---|
| West Bank | 2.9 million |
| Gaza Strip | 1.8 million |
When you add it all up, the total population in the historical region of Palestine, which includes Israel and Palestinian regions, was about 12.8 million (Wikipedia).
These figures shed light on the political and social challenges that the region faces today. For more on the geopolitical issues, check out our article on geopolitical tensions.
Geopolitical Tensions
Palestine’s political scene is like a crowded room—with tension brewing from nearby countries and never-ending regional disputes. Two big talking points are the Israeli military operations and settlement builds that should have their own social media accounts by now.
Israeli Military Operations
The Israeli military’s presence in Palestinian territories is as intense as a Hollywood blockbuster but minus the entertainment. In the Gaza Strip, these operations have resulted in the tragic loss of 21,600 lives, with a heartbreaking number of kids caught in the conflict (Amnesty International). About 1.9 million individuals have been pushed out of their homes, making it feel like a massive game of musical chairs—without the fun.
Swing over to the West Bank, and it’s more of the same story but in a different book. Here, 493 Palestinians, with many innocent civilians and 110 children among them, have lost their lives (Amnesty International). These operations keep fueling the fire and spiraling the area into continued crises, making peace seem as elusive as a needle in a haystack.
Settlement Expansions
When it rains, it pours—and in the case of Israeli settlements, it seems to be a deluge. The popping up of new homes in East Jerusalem, 18,500 to be exact (Amnesty International), is sparking more arguments than a family dinner debate at Thanksgiving. With international laws branding these expansions illegal, tensions only mount.
Zoom out to the broader West Bank, and the story’s not much different. Construction stress levels rise for Palestinian locals as settlements continue to sprawl. In southern Israel, it’s almost like a relentless game of demolition derby with Bedouin homes in the Negev/Naqab being targeted over and over again. The village of al-‘Araqib, having faced the bulldozers 222 times (Amnesty International), surely deserves its own season on a reality TV show.
Adding insult to injury, the authorities won’t recognize 35 Bedouin villages, leaving their residents out in the cold with demolished homes and forced evictions. This ongoing build-and-break saga only throws more logs onto the conflict fire.
Curious about other countries and their neighborly love-hate stories? Check out articles on Luxembourg’s neighbors and Malawi’s neighborly relations. Plus, delve into our section about regional security dramas.
Regional Conflicts
Arab-Israeli Wars
The ongoing fireworks between Israel and its nearby Arab countries have left a mark on Palestine and its neighbors, impacting the politics and borders of the area. Here’s a quick rundown of the most intense moments in this ongoing saga.
1948 Arab-Israeli War: This all kicked off when Israel was officially declared a state in 1948. Not a popular move with its neighbors—Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria—all of whom teamed up against it. Israel ended up nabbing more land than the UN had initially planned, which turned thousands of Palestinians into refugees.
Six-Day War (1967): Israel threw the first punch, and it was a knockout. Facing off against Egypt, Jordan, and Syria, Israel conquered big time in just under a week, grabbing territories like the Gaza Strip and West Bank. This led the UN to suggest Israel should maybe give back some of the land.
Yom Kippur War (1973): Egypt and Syria decided to surprise Israel with an attack on Yom Kippur, Judaism’s holiest day. After heavy losses, everyone agreed to chill out thanks to a UN nudge—which leaned on previous peacemaking attempts.
Impact of Conflict
The ongoing tussles have reshaped Palestine and its neighbors, impacting everything from who lives where to how politics play out.
Population Displacement:
Wars have pushed many Palestinians out of their homes, especially into places like Egypt and Jordan. Although these nations played the good neighbor role in the past by absorbing plenty of newcomers, they’re not so keen on taking more now, fearing security issues and the possibility of a never-ending refugee situation (Council on Foreign Relations).
Security and Living Conditions:
Things are tough in Gaza, like, really tough. Despite all the talks, most folks can’t move freely, with the Rafah crossing being one of the few ways out. About 1.5 million displaced Palestinians find themselves stuck in southern Gaza, often living under harsh conditions (Council on Foreign Relations).
Political Factionalism:
When Hamas won the election in 2006 and took control of Gaza, it did more than just shake hands and kiss babies. The political rift among Palestinians widened, complicating efforts to find peace and stability.
Got a hankering to learn more about international tiffs? Check out what’s happening with Lithuania’s neighbors or the sitch over in Malawi’s neighborhood.
Peace Initiatives
Folks in power have tried all sorts of plans to calm tensions and end the beef in the region—think Camp David and Oslo Accords.
Camp David Accords
Back in ’78 at Camp David, the US played mediator between Israel and Egypt. The big takeaway here? Israel decided to pack up from the Sinai Peninsula they grabbed during the Six-Day War.
This deal was huge ‘cause it was the first time an Arab nation said, “Okay, Israel, you’re here.” It tried setting the stage for more peace talks, especially focusing on the Gaza Strip and West Bank. Though primarily a pact between Egypt and Israel, many scratch their heads wondering if it did much for Palestinian rights.
For a deeper dive into peace talks and who’s living next door, check out what’s happening with Pakistan and its neighbors and Morocco’s neighboring crew.
Oslo Accords
Fast forward to 1993, and we get the Oslo Accords, hoping to sort out Israel and Palestine’s troubles. The deal written along with the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) aimed at sorting relations out, giving the Palestinian Authority (PA) the nod to manage bits of Gaza and the West Bank.
These talks envisioned cool heads prevailing by ’99, featuring:
- Israel and PLO doing the official “I see you” handshake.
- The PA stepping in for some local governance.
- Israeli forces stepping back from certain zones.
- Chatting point on big-ticket items like Jerusalem and borders.
While Oslo managed to slow gear-grinding tensions for a while, it didn’t hit the peace jackpot by ’99. The bickering and broader regional skirmishes are still very much alive.
Interested in how neighboring zones are faring? Check out stories on long-term squabbles like the Arab-Israeli wars and other local security issues.
Getting clued in about global peace efforts can sharpen your understanding of geopolitical chess. For more knowledge about what’s popping in nearby areas, dive into pieces about Nepal’s neighborhood or Philippine surrounding scene.
Regional Security Concerns
Palestine is at the heart of a tangled web of security issues affecting nearby territories. From boundary brawls to the intricate dance of influential countries, it’s a mess that keeps everyone on their toes.
Border Disputes
Borders in Palestine are like that too-small sweater you try to squeeze into; they cause a lot of tension. The Gaza Strip rubs up against Egypt to the south and has Israel tightly hemming it in from the north and east. Over in the West Bank, it’s sandwiched between Israel and Jordan. This ain’t a cozy fit.
The Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt is a flashpoint. According to the Council on Foreign Relations, despite all sorts of negotiations, only 1,100 people have made it through. Meanwhile, 1.5 million folks are stuck in Gaza’s south, dealing with tough living and security situations. Egypt’s wary about opening its gates wider to avoid any slip-ups with Hamas fighters sneaking in.
Also stirring the pot are Israel’s actions in East Jerusalem and the West Bank. As Amnesty International states, Israel’s approved a bunch, like 18,500 new homes for settlers in East Jerusalem and keeps expanding in the West Bank, irrespective of the international red flags.
Regional Involvement
The hall of power players getting in on the act is long, and they all have their agendas. Once again, Egypt and Jordan, who’ve got a history of hosting Palestinians, are handling the crisis with caution — Egypt, particularly, is playing close to its chest given concerns about Hamas’ influence.
| Country | Influence/Action |
|---|---|
| Israel | Runs military operations in Gaza, beefs up settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem |
| Egypt | Holds the Rafah gates, wary of Hamas spillover |
| Jordan | Keeps the door a little ajar for Palestinians but remains careful about its border security |
Israel’s military maneuvers aren’t exactly making the area feel cozy. As Amnesty International highlights, operations in Gaza have left devastation in their wake, with 21,600 Palestinians losing their lives and 1.9 million displaced.
For more twists and turns about border messes and power plays in other corners of the world, take a look at places like Mauritania and Mongolia, which are wrestling with their own geographic jigsaw puzzles.
