From Versailles to Gaza: The Historical Current of More Than a Century Behind the Iran–Israel Conflict

The conflict between Iran and Israel is often interpreted as a contemporary geopolitical confrontation shaped by ideological differences, security concerns, and regional power competition in the Middle East. However, when placed within a longer historical trajectory, many scholars argue that its deeper roots can be traced back to geopolitical transformations following the First World War.

This research examines the historical progression beginning after World War I, the establishment of the State of Israel, the tensions between Israel and the Arab world, the role of external powers—particularly the United States—and how these factors gradually shaped a century-long structure of conflict in the Middle East. The study also highlights the human dimension of the crisis by emphasizing the burdens borne by ordinary people across the region.

World War I: The Beginning of a New Middle Eastern Order

Many geopolitical scholars argue that understanding current conflicts in the Middle East requires returning to the early twentieth century, when the region’s political order was fundamentally reshaped following World War I (1914–1918).

Before the war, much of the Middle East was under the control of the Ottoman Empire. After the Ottoman defeat alongside the Central Powers, the political map of the region changed dramatically. European powers, particularly Britain and France, divided spheres of influence through arrangements such as the Sykes–Picot Agreement, laying the groundwork for many modern Middle Eastern states.

At the same time, the Treaty of Versailles in 1919 not only punished Germany but also produced long-term political consequences in Europe. The harsh conditions imposed on Germany contributed to the rise of extreme nationalism, which eventually facilitated the emergence of the Nazi Party and the Holocaust during World War II.

Although these developments occurred primarily in Europe, their consequences would profoundly shape the political evolution of the Middle East.

The Holocaust and the Creation of the State of Israel

The Holocaust—the genocide of approximately six million Jews during World War II—became a defining turning point in modern world history.

Following the war, the international community, particularly Western powers, increasingly supported the idea of establishing an independent Jewish state in historic Palestine. In 1947, the United Nations approved a partition plan that proposed dividing Palestine into two states: one Jewish and one Arab.

However, the plan faced strong opposition from Arab states and the Arab population in Palestine. When Israel declared independence in 1948, war immediately broke out between Israel and a coalition of Arab countries.

From that moment onward, the Arab–Israeli conflict became one of the most enduring geopolitical disputes of the modern era.

Long-Term Confrontation Between Israel and the Arab World

Since 1948, the Middle East has witnessed numerous wars and crises involving Israel and Arab states, including:

• the Arab–Israeli War of 1948
• the Suez Crisis of 1956
• the Six-Day War of 1967
• the Yom Kippur War of 1973

Although some Arab countries such as Egypt and Jordan later signed peace agreements with Israel, mistrust and political tension across the region have never fully disappeared.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian issue—especially the situation of Palestinians living in refugee camps or disputed territories—has remained a central source of instability.

Within this broader context, Iran gradually emerged as one of Israel’s principal strategic adversaries.

Iran and the Shifting Balance of Power in the Middle East

Before the Iranian Islamic Revolution in 1979, Iran under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi maintained relatively cooperative relations with Israel. After the revolution, however, the new Islamic government adopted a confrontational stance toward Israel and began supporting various anti-Israel groups across the region.

From that point forward, Iran and Israel entered into a prolonged strategic rivalry that has included:

competition for regional influence in Syria and Lebanon
support for proxy forces across the Middle East
confrontation over Iran’s nuclear program
covert military and intelligence operations

This rivalry has gradually evolved into one of the central geopolitical fault lines in the Middle East today.

The Role of Major Powers and Debates Over U.S. Policy

One factor frequently highlighted in geopolitical analyses of the Middle East is the involvement of external powers, particularly the United States.

After World War II, the United States became Israel’s most important ally in terms of military, economic, and diplomatic support. At the same time, the United States has been deeply involved in regional affairs through:

military interventions such as the wars in Iraq
long-term military presence in the region
security partnerships with multiple Arab states
diplomatic initiatives aimed at mediating Israeli–Palestinian negotiations

Supporters of these policies argue that they aim to maintain regional stability. Critics, however, contend that such involvement has sometimes complicated the already fragile balance of power in the Middle East.

In recent years, other major powers such as China and Russia have also become increasingly active in Middle Eastern affairs, creating a new environment of geopolitical competition.

The Human Dimension: People Living Within the Conflict

Beyond geopolitical and historical analysis, an often overlooked aspect of Middle Eastern conflicts is their impact on ordinary people.

Israeli citizens live under constant security pressure and recurring military mobilization. Palestinians in many areas continue to face economic and political instability, with some communities remaining in refugee camps for generations.

Meanwhile, Iranian society has endured significant pressure from economic sanctions, political tensions, and the persistent risk of military escalation.

Personal accounts from people across the region suggest that despite the strategic calculations of governments and global powers, many individuals share a common desire for stability, peace, and opportunities for normal life.

A Conflict Rooted in a Century of History

The Iran–Israel confrontation cannot be understood as an isolated conflict of the present day. It is the outcome of a long historical chain of events stretching back more than a century—from the collapse of empires after World War I, to political decisions following World War II, and to modern geopolitical rivalries.

Historical, religious, territorial, and strategic factors have intertwined to form a complex structure of conflict that remains unresolved today.

What is most striking is that while governments and major powers dominate strategic decision-making, the people who bear the greatest consequences are ordinary citizens throughout the region. Any sustainable solution for the Middle East will ultimately need to place the aspirations and well-being of these populations at its center.