Sample Response: The establishment of Israel had a significant impact on the Middle East. Once Israel declared sovereignty in 1948, armed conflict began almost immediately. Arab countries resented the creation of the state, supporting the rights of Palestinians in the region. Israel was forced to defend itself against its neighbors. For decades, Arab states refused to accept that Israel had a right to exist, despite the need for a Jewish homeland following the Holocaust. Conflicts have occurred over the years, but many people are still committed to working on a peaceful solution.
