Israelis and Palestinians warring over a homeland is far from unique

The golden Dome of the Rock Islamic shrine, a holy site for Muslims, stands close to the Western Wall, Judaism’s holiest site, in an aerial view of Jerusalem’s Old City. David Silverman/Getty Images by Monica Duffy Toft, Tufts University The ongoing horrors unfolding in Israel and Gaza have deep-rooted origins that stem from a complex and contested question: Who has rights to the same territory? I am a scholar of international affairs, as well as territory and nationalism. Territory has been a central cause of conflict throughout history. Today, Israelis and Palestinians both claim the same swath of land as their own. Each group has its own historical narratives, its own names for the territory – Israel or Palestine, depending on whom you ask – and many people from each group believe strongly that sharing the land is impossible. Palestinians and Israelis also look to this same land as a way to define their identities and protect their futures. A fence on Israel’s border with Gaza is seen on Nov. 24, 2023, during a temporary humanitarian truce between Hamas and Israel. Chen Junqing/Xinhua via Getty Images The benefits of controlling territory Virtually every country serves as a designated homeland to...