Page 1 — Introduction and Context 
Palestine remains mired in civil unrest, driven by decades of occupation, inequality, and systemic restrictions on freedoms. Among the most potent drivers of instability are religious tensions, which frequently erupt into violence around holy sites and deepen divisions between communities. 

These tensions not only inflame conflict but also push many Palestinians to flee abroad, seeking lives free from insecurity and repression. 

Page 2 — Historical and Political Background 
Religious tensions in Palestine are deeply rooted in its history. The city of Jerusalem, sacred to Muslims, Christians, and Jews, has long been at the centre of disputes. Control over holy sites and access restrictions imposed on Palestinians remain flashpoints for violence. 

The 1948 Nakba and the 1967 occupation entrenched displacement and inequality. Since then, expanding settlements, military control, and recurring clashes around religious sites have made religion both a political weapon and a source of persistent unrest. 

Page 3 — Religious Tensions and Civil Unrest 
Palestinians face multiple forms of religiously linked unrest: 

- Restricted access to holy sites: limitations on Muslim and Christian worshippers in Jerusalem. 
- Clashes around Al-Aqsa Mosque: recurring flashpoints of violence. 
- Discrimination: unequal treatment in law and daily life based on religious identity. 
- Settlement expansion: displacement tied to religious-nationalist agendas. 
- Suppression of religious gatherings: security crackdowns during key festivals. 

These tensions contribute to cycles of protest, violence, and displacement. 

Page 4 — Consequences for Citizens and Society 
For individuals, religious tensions mean curtailed freedoms of worship, fear of violence, and a sense of exclusion. Families are disrupted when members are arrested, injured, or forced to flee. 

For Palestinian society, persistent unrest weakens cohesion, undermines cultural and religious heritage, and perpetuates instability. Internationally, religious tensions in Palestine resonate across the region, fuelling wider unrest and contributing to the global refugee crisis. 

Page 5 — Solutions and Conclusion 
Addressing religious tensions requires both respect for religious freedoms and broader political reform. 

Key steps include: 
- Freedom of worship: guarantee access to all holy sites without discrimination. 
- Conflict prevention: protect religious gatherings from violence and crackdowns. 
- Peace negotiations: prioritise religious rights in settlement discussions. 
- Cultural respect: promote interfaith dialogue and mutual recognition. 
- International oversight: involve global actors in safeguarding religious sites. 

Until such measures are taken, religious tensions will continue to add to civil unrest in Palestine, fuelling displacement and denying generations the chance for peace and dignity.