The struggle for Palestinian statehood has been shaped by a series of pivotal events, marked by conflict, broken promises, and competing national aspirations. In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, waves of Jewish immigration to Palestine, supported by influential figures and organizations, began to alter the region's demographic and political landscape. Key moments, such as the publication of Theodor Herzl's vision for a Jewish state and the first Zionist Congress, set the stage for further developments.

During and after the First World War, secret agreements and declarations by European powers, including the Balfour Declaration and the Sykes-Picot Agreement, sowed confusion and resentment among the local Arab population. British promises to both Jews and Arabs led to rising tensions, as each group sought recognition and autonomy. The establishment of the British mandate for Palestine further complicated matters, as policies favored the creation of a Jewish national home while Arab aspirations for independence were sidelined.

The following decades saw increasing unrest, with land acquisitions, immigration, and political maneuvering fueling violence and mistrust. Major clashes, such as the riots of 1920 and 1929 and the Arab revolt of 1936, underscored the deep divisions and the heavy toll exacted on both communities. The legacy of these early years continues to shape the ongoing quest for Palestinian statehood.