Final answer:
The Arab-Israeli conflict's primary causes include territorial disputes, cultural and religious differences, and political tensions following the establishment of Israel and the displacement of Palestinians. The situation today centers on the creation of a Palestinian state and is influenced by regional dynamics and international relations, making a peaceful resolution complex.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary causes of the Arab-Israeli conflict include historical claims to land, cultural tensions, and religious differences between Jews and Arabs. The creation of the state of Israel in 1948 and the resultant displacement of Palestinians led to a series of wars and ongoing disputes. The central issue now is the pursuit of an independent Palestinian state within territories captured by Israel in 1967, namely the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Potential solutions have been further complicated by international factors, such as U.S. support for Israel, and internal divisions among Palestinian factions.
The conflict is also set against a backdrop of complex regional dynamics including oil economies, Islamic fundamentalism, and the geopolitical strategies of global superpowers during and after the Cold War. Despite various peace initiatives and the role of the United Nations, a resolution has been elusive, with many stakeholders holding fundamentally incompatible views about the nature of sovereignty and statehood in the region.