Arab-Israeli Arab-Israeli ConflictConflict

The Disputed TerritoryThe Disputed Territory

When you get to the When you get to the questions in red, write the questions in red, write the questions on your paper and questions on your paper and answer them! (9 questions in answer them! (9 questions in this ppt.)this ppt.)

BackgroundBackground

Pre-1948: Palestine (remember: given to the Pre-1948: Palestine (remember: given to the Arabs after the fall of the Ottomans, Israel Arabs after the fall of the Ottomans, Israel after 1948after 1948

Background: Background: Zionist Movement (1870’s): Jewish nationalism, Zionist Movement (1870’s): Jewish nationalism,

ethnic identityethnic identity

World Zionist Organization (1897):World Zionist Organization (1897): Founded by Theodore HerzlFounded by Theodore Herzl decides that there needs to be a place where decides that there needs to be a place where

Jews are safe (anti-Semitism grows in Europe Jews are safe (anti-Semitism grows in Europe opposing the Zionist movement)opposing the Zionist movement)

PalestinePalestine

Palestine: religious ties to Judaism Palestine: religious ties to Judaism (location for new Jewish homeland), but (location for new Jewish homeland), but ties to Islam as well (ruled by Muslims ties to Islam as well (ruled by Muslims for 1300 yrs.; given to them after WWI)for 1300 yrs.; given to them after WWI)

Jewish National Fund: a trust fund set up Jewish National Fund: a trust fund set up to buy land in Palestineto buy land in Palestine Begin buying land near the coast Begin buying land near the coast Some wealthy Arabs living in Europe sell the Some wealthy Arabs living in Europe sell the

land (Great Depression?) land (Great Depression?) Little immigration seen at this timeLittle immigration seen at this time

Immigration beginsImmigration begins Balfour Declaration (1917): set up by the Balfour Declaration (1917): set up by the

British for World Zionist OrganizationBritish for World Zionist Organization beginning of a national home for Jews in beginning of a national home for Jews in

Palestine.Palestine. Immigration to Palestine begins: still small Immigration to Palestine begins: still small

numbers numbers Arabs are angry: felt this land was Arabs are angry: felt this land was

promised to them by the Britishpromised to them by the British Remember McMahon letters?Remember McMahon letters? Why would the British promise the land to both Why would the British promise the land to both

the Jews and Arabs? Why did this add fuel to the Jews and Arabs? Why did this add fuel to their fire?their fire?

Territory that McMahon Territory that McMahon promisedpromised

The Mandate SystemThe Mandate System

Post WWI: (1920’s): British acquire Post WWI: (1920’s): British acquire Palestine Palestine they do not consider they do not consider debate over the land.debate over the land.

Conflict over the territory between the Conflict over the territory between the two groups increases: two groups increases: Riots in JerusalemRiots in Jerusalem

#1: 1930’s: Jewish Immigration to Palestine #1: 1930’s: Jewish Immigration to Palestine increases drastically. Why? What was increases drastically. Why? What was happening in Europe during that time?happening in Europe during that time?

Immigration increasesImmigration increases

Immigration increases for two big Immigration increases for two big reasons: reasons:

1.1. Anti-Semitism in Europe (Holocaust)Anti-Semitism in Europe (Holocaust)

2.2. Great Depression (Arab landowners Great Depression (Arab landowners become cash poor- must sell their land)become cash poor- must sell their land)

1936: Arab revolt: feel that the increased 1936: Arab revolt: feel that the increased immigration:immigration:

- is causing overcrowding- is causing overcrowding

- land distribution: losing all the “good - land distribution: losing all the “good land”land”

Jewish Settlements: The Kibbutz SystemJewish Settlements: The Kibbutz System

• First one founded in 1908.

• Communal living.

• “Make the DesertBloom!”

• First one founded in 1908.

• Communal living.

• “Make the DesertBloom!”

Solutions to the Solutions to the problem?problem?

British suggest partition: divide the land British suggest partition: divide the land into 2 states: One Arab and One Jewishinto 2 states: One Arab and One Jewish

There is resistance on both sides: fear There is resistance on both sides: fear the other would take by force, but land the other would take by force, but land is still under British mandateis still under British mandate

British create the White Papers: states British create the White Papers: states to limit immigration and land sales… to limit immigration and land sales… does not happen but basically ends does not happen but basically ends British attempts to partition mandate.British attempts to partition mandate.

Peel Partition Plan, 1937Peel Partition Plan, 1937

End of the MandateEnd of the Mandate

1945: World War II ends1945: World War II ends #2: The British cannot hold on to the #2: The British cannot hold on to the

mandate any longer. Why?mandate any longer. Why? Neither side wants the British in Neither side wants the British in

PalestinePalestine Ben-Gurion tells the British it’s time to Ben-Gurion tells the British it’s time to

leaveleave 1947: British give the mandate to the UN1947: British give the mandate to the UN

UN decides to split the state (Arab/Jewish)UN decides to split the state (Arab/Jewish)

U.N.’s proposalU.N.’s proposal

Israel: A new Jewish Israel: A new Jewish statestate

May 14May 14thth 1948: Jewish proclaim their 1948: Jewish proclaim their new national state of Israel (U.S./Soviet new national state of Israel (U.S./Soviet Union recognize)Union recognize)

May 15May 15thth, 1948: Egypt, Trans-Jordan , 1948: Egypt, Trans-Jordan attack but Israel holdsattack but Israel holds

100,000’s Palestinian Arabs leave (land 100,000’s Palestinian Arabs leave (land is confiscated, most choose to leave, is confiscated, most choose to leave, immigration increases) immigration increases) #3: The controversy: Left by choice or #3: The controversy: Left by choice or

forced to leave?forced to leave?

Israel in 1948Israel in 1948

Displaced Palestinian Displaced Palestinian ArabsArabs

Palestinian Refugees: flee to neighboring Palestinian Refugees: flee to neighboring Arab countries, Arab countries, but found that they were but found that they were not welcome in many….#4: Why?not welcome in many….#4: Why?

Arab resistance to Israel: Arab resistance to Israel: PLO (Palestinian Liberation Organization): PLO (Palestinian Liberation Organization):

founded in part by Yasser Arafat (1960’s)founded in part by Yasser Arafat (1960’s) Intended to have an exile government for Intended to have an exile government for

PalestiniansPalestinians Would launch terrorist attacks against IsraelWould launch terrorist attacks against Israel

Six Day War (1967)Six Day War (1967) Syria gains “intelligence” from Soviet Union Syria gains “intelligence” from Soviet Union

that Israel is mobilizing for war….that Israel is mobilizing for war….is this is this accurate?accurate?

Egypt and Syria prepare for war (tanks in the Egypt and Syria prepare for war (tanks in the Sinai Peninsula) Sinai Peninsula)

June 5June 5thth 1967: Israel attacks Egypt/Syria/Jordan; 1967: Israel attacks Egypt/Syria/Jordan; defeats all three easily in six days. defeats all three easily in six days.

Territorial Acquisitions for Israel:Territorial Acquisitions for Israel: West BankWest Bank Golan Heights (from Syria) Golan Heights (from Syria) Suez Canal/Sinai (from Egypt, would stay there till Suez Canal/Sinai (from Egypt, would stay there till

1980)1980)

After the War…After the War…

The Arab world in the Middle East is The Arab world in the Middle East is shakenshaken

Many regimes are overthrownMany regimes are overthrown PLO activity increases:PLO activity increases:

Based in Jordan until 1970Based in Jordan until 1970 Challenges the king’s authorityChallenges the king’s authority Black September (1970): Jordan kicks out Black September (1970): Jordan kicks out

the PLOthe PLO 1973: Munich Olympics (hostage crisis) PLO 1973: Munich Olympics (hostage crisis) PLO

seen as terrorists worldwide.seen as terrorists worldwide.

The Disputed TerritoryThe Disputed Territory

Golan Heights—Israel and Syria

West Bank—Israel, Palestinians

Yom Kippur War (1973)Yom Kippur War (1973) Oct. 6Oct. 6thth 1973: Egypt launches a surprise attack 1973: Egypt launches a surprise attack

on Yom Kippur (they want to take back the Suez on Yom Kippur (they want to take back the Suez Canal)Canal)

U.S. offers support to Israel/Soviets offer support U.S. offers support to Israel/Soviets offer support to Egypt to Egypt #5: Why do you think they would do this? (think about #5: Why do you think they would do this? (think about

the time period)the time period) OPEC in retaliation cuts off oil supply to west: OPEC in retaliation cuts off oil supply to west:

gas prices soargas prices soar Russia offers planes/pilots to EgyptRussia offers planes/pilots to Egypt

Fearing Russia entering the war (WW3?) a cease fire is Fearing Russia entering the war (WW3?) a cease fire is calledcalled

Attempts at peace?Attempts at peace?

As early as 1974 Palestinians seek As early as 1974 Palestinians seek West Bank and Gaza Strip as West Bank and Gaza Strip as homeland territory. homeland territory.

Camp David Accords (1979): Camp David Accords (1979): President Carter orchestrates a peace President Carter orchestrates a peace agreement (for the first time!) agreement (for the first time!) between Israel and Egypt.between Israel and Egypt.

Breakdown: (1982) Sadat (Egypt) is Breakdown: (1982) Sadat (Egypt) is assassinated for his support of Israel.assassinated for his support of Israel.

Attempts at peaceAttempts at peace

13 September, 1993: Israel and PLO 13 September, 1993: Israel and PLO Declaration of Principles on Interim Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements Self-Government Arrangements (DOP) gives PLO timeframe for West (DOP) gives PLO timeframe for West Bank/Gaza Strip self ruleBank/Gaza Strip self rule

2000: 2000: 2nd intifadah2nd intifadah disrupts disrupts negotiations to make Palestine its negotiations to make Palestine its own stateown state

Attempts at peaceAttempts at peace

Last Spring (2008), Israel offered all of Last Spring (2008), Israel offered all of the West Bank and the Muslim Quarter the West Bank and the Muslim Quarter of Jerusalem to the Palestinians to use of Jerusalem to the Palestinians to use to form their own nation. to form their own nation.

Their offer was turned down by the Their offer was turned down by the Palestinians who stated that this Palestinians who stated that this wasn’t enough. They wanted ALL of wasn’t enough. They wanted ALL of Jerusalem. Negotiations have just Jerusalem. Negotiations have just begun, again.begun, again.

Attempts at peaceAttempts at peace

President of Israel invited Syrian President of Israel invited Syrian President to Jerusalem for peace President to Jerusalem for peace talkstalks

Syria says that Israel can’t be Syria says that Israel can’t be serious because they are building serious because they are building more settlements in Golan more settlements in Golan

Struggle continues…Struggle continues…

Peace negotiations have started and Peace negotiations have started and stalled for years.stalled for years.

Gaza Strip and West Bank still Gaza Strip and West Bank still disputed territoriesdisputed territories

#6: Will a fair compromise ever#6: Will a fair compromise ever be achieved? Why or why not? be achieved? Why or why not?

Questions from earlier Questions from earlier this week:this week:

#7: What groups are unhappy with the #7: What groups are unhappy with the current boundary lines? Why?current boundary lines? Why?

#8: Why do the Palestinians and #8: Why do the Palestinians and Israelis both claim the “Holy Land” Israelis both claim the “Holy Land” (current nation of Israel) as their own?(current nation of Israel) as their own?

#9: How would YOU settle the Arab-#9: How would YOU settle the Arab-Israeli conflict? Explain and even Israeli conflict? Explain and even draw a map if you need to do so! draw a map if you need to do so!