History is the main reason for the  Israel and Palestine conflict and in Simple terms past and historical events are the reason we are where we are as a world.

Textual summary of the key events in the history of Israel and the Jewish people, including the roles of the Philistines and Arabs:

1. Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age (1208 BCE):

   • Emergence of Israelite culture in the Southern Levant.
   • The earliest known reference to “Israel” as a people or tribal confederation (see Israelites) is in the Merneptah Stele, an inscription from ancient Egypt that dates to about 1208 BCE.
   • The Philistines, an Aegean people, settled along the southern coast of Palestine (modern Israel) around 1500 BCE.
   • According to modern archaeology, ancient Israelite culture developed as an outgrowth from the pre-existing Canaanite civilization.

2. United Monarchy (11th century BCE):

   • Reigns of Saul, David, and Solomon.
   • The country later split into two kingdoms: Israel (containing the cities of Shechem and Samaria in the north) and Judah (containing Jerusalem and the Jewish Temple) in the south.
   • The historicity of the United Monarchy is debated, but historians and archaeologists agree that Israel and Judah existed as separate kingdoms by around 900 BCE and 850 BCE, respectively.
   • Arabs inhabited various parts of the region, but their presence was not as dominant as it would become in later centuries.

3. Babylonian Exile and Return (586–516 BCE):

   • Destruction of the First Temple.
   • Exile to Babylon.
   • Construction of the Second Temple.

4. Hellenistic Period (4th–2nd centuries BCE):

   • Hellenistic influence.
   • Tensions between Jewish practices and Greek culture.
   • The Maccabean revolt of the 160s BCE, initially a domestic civil war, increasingly portrayed revolutionary Jewish nationalism1.

5. Roman Rule and Destruction of the Second Temple (1st century BCE–1st century CE):

   • Herod’s renovations.
   • Great Jewish Revolt: The Great Jewish Revolt, also known as the First Jewish–Roman War, took place from 66 to 70 CE. It was a significant rebellion by the Jews against Roman rule in Judea. Here are the key points:

     1. Background:

        • The revolt erupted due to a long series of clashes where small groups of Jews offered sporadic resistance to the Romans.
        • The Romans responded with severe countermeasures.

     2. Revolt and Siege:

        • In 66 CE, the Jews combined their efforts, expelled the Romans from Jerusalem, and overwhelmed a Roman punitive force.
        • A revolutionary government was established, extending its influence throughout the entire country.
        • The Roman emperor Nero dispatched Vespasian to crush the rebellion.

     3. Roman Response:

        • Vespasian was joined by his son Titus.
        • The Roman armies entered Galilee, where the historian Josephus led the Jewish forces.
        • Josephus’ army was defeated, and the Roman forces swept through the land.

     4. Fall of Jerusalem:

        • On the 9th of Av (August 29) in 70 CE, Jerusalem fell.
        • The Second Temple was burned, and the Jewish state collapsed.
        • Although the fortress of Masada held out until April 73, the overall revolt was crushed.
        • The leader of the The leader of the Great Jewish Revolt (also known as the First Jewish–Roman War) was Flavius Josephus. Born as Joseph ben Matityahu, he played a significant role during the rebellion against Roman rule in Judea. Here are some key points about him:

          

          

          • Flavius Josephus:
            • He was appointed as the military commander of Galilee by the Judaeans who were revolting against Rome.
            • Josephus fortified towns in the north but eventually surrendered to Roman forces.
            • He later joined the Romans at the siege of Jerusalem in 70 CE.
            • After the fall of Jerusalem, Josephus moved to 

     The Great Jewish Revolt had profound consequences, including the destruction of Jewish towns, displacement of people, and appropriation of land for Roman military use

   • Destruction of the Second Temple.
   • The area was divided into smaller territories: Galilee in the north, Samaria in the central hill country, and Judaea in the south, all under Roman rule2.

6. Bar Kokhba Revolt (132–135 CE):

• A failed rebellion against Roman rule.The Bar Kokhba Revolt, also known as the Third Jewish-Roman War, took place between 132 and 135 CE. It was a significant armed rebellion initiated by the Jews of Judea against the Roman Empire. Here are the key points about this pivotal event:

  1. Background:

     • The revolt was preceded by years of clashes between Jews and Romans in the area.
     • The misrule of Tinnius Rufus, the Roman governor of Judaea, combined with the emperor Hadrian’s intention to found a new city called Aelia Capitolina on the ruins of Jerusalem, fueled discontent among the Jewish population.

  2. Leadership:

     • The rebellion was led by Simon bar Kokhba, who many Jews believed was the Messiah.
     • Bar Kokhba was renamed “Bar Kokhba” (meaning “Son of the Star”) by an influential rabbi.

  3. Revolt and Battles:

     • Jewish forces fought against Roman legions throughout Judea.
     • The rebels captured several Roman garrisons and fortified towns.
     • Bar Kokhba established a revolt government and issued coins with his name and title.

  4. Roman Response:

     • The Roman response was swift and brutal.
     • Emperor Hadrian dispatched Legio III Cyrenaica and other legions to crush the rebellion.
     • The Roman forces, led by generals like Julius Severus, laid siege to Jewish strongholds.

  5. Fall of Betar:

     • The decisive battle occurred at the fortress of Betar (near modern-day Beitar Illit).
     • Betar fell to the Romans in 135 CE after a long siege.
     • Bar Kokhba was killed in the final battle.

  6. Consequences:

     • The Bar Kokhba Revolt was ultimately unsuccessful.
     • Jerusalem paid a heavy toll for the rebellion.
     • The Romans banned Jews from entering Jerusalem and renamed the city Aelia Capitolina.
     • Jewish life in Judea was severely disrupted, and the diaspora expanded.

  The Bar Kokhba Revolt left a lasting impact on Jewish history, memory, and identity

7. Byzantine and Islamic Periods (4th–7th centuries CE):

   • The Byzantine Empire controlled the region.
   • The rise of Islam in the 7th century brought new rulers and cultural shifts.
   • Arabs continued to inhabit various parts of the region, contributing to its diverse population.

8. Crusader Period (11th–13th centuries CE):

   • During the Crusades, Jerusalem changed hands between Christian and Muslim forces.
   • The Jewish population remained small, but the region saw significant religious and political upheaval.

9. Ottoman Rule (16th–19th centuries CE):

   • The Ottoman Empire controlled Palestine.
   • Jewish communities existed but faced restrictions.
   • The Arab presence continued to be significant, with a mix of local Arab populations and Ottoman administration.

10. Zionism and British Mandate (20th century):

    • The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw the rise of Zionism, a movement advocating for a Jewish homeland.
    • After World War I, the League of Nations granted Britain the mandate to administer Palestine.
    • Jewish immigration increased, leading to tensions with Arab residents.
    • The Arab population also sought self-determination and opposed the growing Jewish presence.

11. 1947 UN Partition Plan and Independence of Israel:

    • The United Nations proposed a partition plan in 1947, dividing Palestine into Jewish and Arab states.
    • On May 14, 1948, Israel declared independence, leading to the 1948 Arab–Israeli War.
    • The conflict intensified, shaping the modern geopolitical landscape of the region.

Remember that this overview highlights key events, conflicts, and transformations in the history of Israel and the Jewish people. The struggle for sovereignty, religious significance, and survival continues to resonate in the present day, with both Arabs and Jews playing significant roles in the ongoing narrative

1. abc.net.au2. christiantoday.com.au3. en.wikipedia.org4. en.wikipedia.org5. history.com