retrocop, the dispute and the animosity between the Palestinians and the Israelis goes back to biblical times and each have very long memories indeed. I’ve edited this bit from Wiki:
//The Land of Canaan (Israel) was, according to the Hebrew Bible, promised by God to the Jews. Muslims also claim rights to that land in accordance with the Quran. Contrary to the Jewish claim that this land was promised only to the descendants of Abraham's younger son Isaac, they argue that the Land of Canaan was promised to what they consider the elder son, Ishmael, from whom Arabs claim descent.//
Conflict has arisen because, after World War II, the land was given to the Jews (for obvious reasons no alternative tract of land on the planet would have been acceptable to them), so this is not a modern day conflict by any means, and contrary to SP’s claim, it does emanate from religion.