Arab-Israeli ConflictChapter 28 Section 2

Conflict over Palestine

After WWI and the break up of the Ottoman Empire, Britain had control over Arab Palestine

However, it was not a British colony

Jews had been forced from Palestine by the Romans more than 1900 years before

They dreamed of returning to Palestine and establishing a homeland for all JewsThis was known as the Zionist movement

ZionismAnti-Semitism (hatred of Jews) was wide spread in Europe (even before the Holocaust)

As a result, European Jews began migrating to Palestine to escape the violenceTheodor Herzl encouraged even more Jews to move to Palestine

Asked British, and other European nations, to support their movement

British issues the Balfour Declaration which stated: (See pg 587)

Britain favors the establishment of a home for Jews in Palestine as long as nothing is done to non-Jewish settlements already there

Arab ResponsePalestinians want own independent state

More Arabs and Christians lived in Palestine than Jews

As anti-Semitism increased in Europe, more Jews moved to Palestine and bought land from the Arabs

How did the buying up of land lead to more conflict between the Jews and Arabs? (see pg 588)

Jews bought farmland and the Arabs that worked the land were now homeless and unskilled. They rose up against the Jews

Founding of Israel

After WWII, more Jewish refugees flee to Palestine for safety

Determined to establish state where Jews can live in safetyPalestinians opposed the arrival of the Jews

They didn’t want to lose their homeland because of the anti-Semitism in Europe

Britain withdraws its authority from Palestine; control is returned to the United Nations

Partition and WarThe UN decides to partition (split) Palestine into an Arab state (Palestine) and Jewish state (Israel)

Israel declares its independence

Is recognized my major world powers, including the USArab nations refuse to recognize Israel WHY? (see pg 616)

Israel is the creation of western powers who wanted to continue

Partition and War

Arab nations declare war on Israel

Israel wins and gains control of ½ the land set aside for the Arab stateEgypt gains control of the Gaza StripJordan takes the rest of Palestine

Summary

Why was the state of Israel created?

Do you think Israel should exist for this reason?

Palestinian Refugees

During and after the war, hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees fled Palestine

Many settled in refugee camps set up in nearby Arab nations

Supposed to be temporary; became permanent

Arab and Palestinian leaders didn’t want to abandon the camps WHY? (see pg 617)

Thought it would show they were willing to give up a Palestinian homeland

Continued Conflict

Three other wars have occurred (1956, 1967, 1973)

Six Day War (1967)Israel wins, gains:

Sinai Peninsula and Gaza Strip from EgyptGolan Heights from SyriaWest Bank from JordanEast Jerusalem from Arabs

Called occupied territories

YES-NO-WHY

Israel should return the lands gained during the 1967 war.

The Cold War

Between the US and SUUS supported IsraelSU supported Arab states

Both provide money and weapons to their alliesNeither US or SU pushed their allies to work on peace

The PLOPalestinian leaders formed the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in 1964 WHY? (see pg 617-618)

Reclaim Palestine and destroy Israel

PLO doesn’t just fight Israel, but also those nations that support Israel

Have struck against the US (hijackings)Israel responds with reprisals against the PLO

Reprisal: forceful act in response to injury

Struggle to Achieve Peace

Arab nations refuse to negotiate with Israel

Support terrorist effortsCall for Israel’s destruction

Israel doesn’t want an Arab stateThreatens their security

Egypt, an Arab nation, has signed a peace treaty with Israel

Palestinian Uprising

Difficult Issues• Palestinians• Want own homeland• Believe Jews shouldn’t

live in occupied territories

• Palestinians want Jerusalem to be the capital of Palestine

• Want Palestinians who fled during the wars to be allowed to return

• Don’t want Jewish settlements in West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem

Israelis• Refuse to negotiate due to terrorist activities• Encourage Jews to live in occupied territories; it’s their historic right• Jerusalem is the capital of Israel• Don’t want Palestinians who fled to return; afraid they will overwhelm Israel

Oslo Accords

In 1993, Israel and Palestine agree to recognize one another

PLO promises to stop attacking IsraelIsrael agrees to withdraw troops from occupied areasThe Palestinian Authority is created

Acted as the government for Palestinians

Yassir Arafat becomes the leader

New Uprisings

Peace talks stalledPalestinians attacked military and civilian targets

Used suicide bombersIsrael responds by invading Palestinian-ruled areas

Attack Palestinians, including civilians

Increased the fighting between the two groups

YES-NO-WHY

The Israelis and Palestinians will reach a peace agreement.

Assignment

If there is a peace agreement, what should each side receive as a result? Be sure to explain why you believe this is a fair peace plan. Don’t forget to examine the difficult issues facing both sides.