Background: The Israeli-Palestinian

Conflict

What is at the core of the ongoing conflict between the Arabs and

Israelis? Which areas of land are in dispute?

Before WWI The area known today as Palestine and Israel

were part of the Ottoman Empire. European nations were interested in gaining

control of the territory because: Before airplanes, the water routes around this area

provided easy access to places like Russia, the Mediterranean Sea, and natural resources all over the Middle East and Central Asia. The Suez Canal, to the west of Palestine, was coveted by all the major powers.

After WWI During World War I, the land around as Palestine was

promised to many different groups of people (Arab rulers, average Arab people, Jewish people, and France and Great Britain).

After the war, it was divided into two areas: Palestine and Transjordan (which were controlled by Great Britain).

During this time, Jewish people began moving from homes around the world to relocate in Palestine. They did this to escape persecution. They dreamed of one day having a national homeland. People who wanted a Jewish homeland were called Zionists.

After WWII After World War II and the Holocaust, many

people agreed that Jewish people needed a national homeland.

The United Nations decided to give part of Palestine to Jewish people, so that they could be Israelis.

There was a problem with that…can you tell what it might be?

The Palestinians Palestinians lived there!!! Palestinians did not have a say when the United Nations

gave part of the land on which they lived to Jewish people. All the surrounding Arab nations opposed the formation of Israel.

The UN thought it would be okay, because they gave part of the land in the area to the Palestinians.

But, how would you feel if someone took Central Kentucky, gave it to Canadians, and you had to move to Western Kentucky or live under Canadian rule, unable to become a citizen?

Many Palestinians were not happy!

1949 Arab-Israeli War Other Arab nations agreed with the Palestinians.

They went to war with Israel to try and get the land back.

Instead, Israel, who had military help from powerful nations like the United States, was able to beat the Arab coalition and gain more land!

Why might the United States have helped Israel? After the war, over 1 million Palestinian refugees

are created after their land is taken. They live in UN monitored refugee camps in areas like the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, Jordan, and Lebanon.

Refugee Camps Today

1967 Six Day War Israel felt threatened by its neighboring

countries. They decided to strike. They were able to gain a large amount of

territory, including the Sinai Peninsula and Gaza strip from Egypt and the Golan Heights from Syria.

Why might the Peninsula and Heights be important?

The PLO In 1969 Yasser Arafat became the leader of

the Palestinian Liberation Organization. The organization is run by exiled

Palestinians who want to have a Palestinian national state.

1973 Yom Kippur War This time, Arab nations struck first to try

and regain territory lost in the 6 Day War. At first, they push the Israelis back.

A massive airlift of US arms to Israel tips the balance.

Arab oil states proclaim a boycott against all countries helping Israel.

The US oil crisis begins.

The Intifada (“Shaking Off”) In 1987, Palestinians living in occupied

territories began a revolt against the Israelis known as the Intifada.

Their goal was to force Israel to give them their own national state.

Intifada (cont.) The following figures report on events in the Occupied

Territories from the beginning of the Intifada (December 9, 1987) through 1992:

Palestinians killed by Israelis 1,119 Palestinian injuries requiring hospitalization (estimated)

120,446 Palestinians expelled to foreign countries 483 Administrative detentions without charge 15,320 Land confiscated (acres) 87,726 Houses demolished or sealed` 2,065

Source: Palestine Human Rights Information Center, Chicago.

Populations TodayArea Israelis

PalestiniansIsrael less Jerusalem 3,741,700 762,000

Israel including Jerusalem 4,168,700 921,000

West Bank 97,000 1,150,000

Gaza 3,600 796,000

Source: Israeli and US Governments

Peace EffortsPeace Efforts

• 1978 Camp David Accords – Israel and 1978 Camp David Accords – Israel and Egypt meet in the USA. Egypt regains the Egypt meet in the USA. Egypt regains the Sinai Peninsula.Sinai Peninsula.

• Violence continues within Israel and the Violence continues within Israel and the Occupied Territories, despite efforts to Occupied Territories, despite efforts to come to agreements about territory, such come to agreements about territory, such as the Oslo Accords in 1993.as the Oslo Accords in 1993.

• Recently, Israel has pulled its military and Recently, Israel has pulled its military and civilians settlers out of both Gaza and the civilians settlers out of both Gaza and the West Bank in an effort to curb violence.West Bank in an effort to curb violence.