Conflict in the Middle EastConflict in the Middle East

BackgroundBackground

• Ground Zero for Judaism, Islam, and Christianity.Ground Zero for Judaism, Islam, and Christianity.• Judaism: Israel = Biblical “Promised Land”Judaism: Israel = Biblical “Promised Land”

– Occupied by Moses and Hebrews around 1000 B.C.Occupied by Moses and Hebrews around 1000 B.C.

• Invaded and occupied by PhilistinesInvaded and occupied by Philistines– Greeks and Romans call it “Land of Philistines”, which becomes Greeks and Romans call it “Land of Philistines”, which becomes

Palestine.Palestine.

• Region of Jesus Christ’s birth, ministry, and death.Region of Jesus Christ’s birth, ministry, and death.• ““Ownership” changes hands frequently.Ownership” changes hands frequently.• Muslims capture in 640Muslims capture in 640

– built Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem in 691built Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem in 691• Spot where Mohammed stopped on his way to heaven.Spot where Mohammed stopped on his way to heaven.

– Holiest site in Islam outside Saudi Arabia.Holiest site in Islam outside Saudi Arabia.

• Ottoman Turks control from 1500’s-1900’s.Ottoman Turks control from 1500’s-1900’s.

An Islamic Shrine in An Islamic Shrine in Jerusalem 691 a.d.Jerusalem 691 a.d.

• Muslims from Muslims from Arabia captured Arabia captured Palestine in 640 Palestine in 640 then built the then built the Dome Dome of the Rockof the Rock on the on the site where the site where the Hebrew Temple of Hebrew Temple of Solomon once Solomon once stood in Jerusalem.stood in Jerusalem.

• This site is believed This site is believed to be the site where to be the site where MuhammadMuhammad took took the golden ladder the golden ladder to heaven.to heaven.

British Promise to the Jews: Balfour Declaration,

1917

British Promise to the Jews: Balfour Declaration,

1917

Sir Arthur James Balfour

Br. Foreign Secretary

Sir Arthur James Balfour

Br. Foreign Secretary

His Majesty’s Government views with favor the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people and will use their best endeavors to facilitate the achievement of this object, it being clearly understood that nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine…

The Middle East Between the Wars

The Middle East Between the Wars

Jews & Arabs in Palestine, 1920 Jews & Arabs in Palestine, 1920 In 1920, there

was 1 Jew toevery 10 Arabs inPalestine.

By 1947, the ratio was 2 Arabs forevery Jew.

In 1920, there

was 1 Jew toevery 10 Arabs inPalestine.

By 1947, the ratio was 2 Arabs forevery Jew.

The Arabs felt that they were loosing control of their “country!”

The Arabs felt that they were loosing control of their “country!”

WORLD WAR II & “ISRAEL”WORLD WAR II & “ISRAEL”

A.A. In Germany, 6 million Jews were killed In Germany, 6 million Jews were killed by Nazis and Hitler.by Nazis and Hitler.-Thousands of Jews moved to Palestine-Thousands of Jews moved to Palestine

b. After WWII, the UN wanted to divide b. After WWII, the UN wanted to divide Palestine into 2 states:Palestine into 2 states:1. A Palestinian state – for Palestinians1. A Palestinian state – for Palestinians2. A Jewish state, called ISRAEL – for 2. A Jewish state, called ISRAEL – for JewsJews

- the USA supported this plan! - the USA supported this plan! - City of Jerusalem would not be a part - City of Jerusalem would not be a part of a state, it would be shared! of a state, it would be shared!

WWII & ISRAEL, cont.WWII & ISRAEL, cont.

c. Jews were happy…they got approx. c. Jews were happy…they got approx. 55% of the land of the original 55% of the land of the original Palestine. Palestine.

d. Palestinians were unhappy. The d. Palestinians were unhappy. The neighboring countries were also neighboring countries were also unhappy. unhappy.

e. 4 large scale wars fought over these e. 4 large scale wars fought over these issues…1948,1956, 1967, 1973issues…1948,1956, 1967, 1973

U. N. Partition Plan of 1947

U. N. Partition Plan of 1947

• Jews were divided over Jews were divided over the UN partition plan. the UN partition plan.

• Arabs rejected it--they Arabs rejected it--they constituted 67% of the constituted 67% of the population (Jews 33%), population (Jews 33%), and would get about 45% and would get about 45% of mandatory Palestine, of mandatory Palestine, also not the best parts. also not the best parts.

• Arabs rioted in Jerusalem Arabs rioted in Jerusalem in 1947 over the planin 1947 over the plan

Israel Becomes a Nation:

May 14, 1948

Israel Becomes a Nation:

May 14, 1948

David Ben-Gurion,

1st Prime Minister

David Ben-Gurion,

1st Prime Minister

Chaim Weizmann,

1st President

Chaim Weizmann,

1st President

War of 1948 War of 1948

• UN partitioned Israel, but Arabs refusedUN partitioned Israel, but Arabs refused• 14 May 1948: Jews declare Israel an 14 May 1948: Jews declare Israel an

Independent Jewish StateIndependent Jewish State• Jews “Zionists” claimed that Israel was an Jews “Zionists” claimed that Israel was an

independent state and triggered an invasion independent state and triggered an invasion by Egypt, Syria,, Lebanon and Iraq.by Egypt, Syria,, Lebanon and Iraq.

• 15 May: 5 Arab states invade new nation of 15 May: 5 Arab states invade new nation of IsraelIsrael

• 7 Jan 1949: Israeli victory - 700,000 Arab 7 Jan 1949: Israeli victory - 700,000 Arab refugees driven from their homes in Palestinerefugees driven from their homes in Palestine

• ““Explain how the following quotes let both sides Explain how the following quotes let both sides believe that they have a legitimate claim to the believe that they have a legitimate claim to the land?land?

• ““ON that day the LORD made a covenant with ON that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, To your descendants I give this Abram, saying, To your descendants I give this land…” Genesis 15:18land…” Genesis 15:18

• ““He (Allah) has chosen you and has placed no He (Allah) has chosen you and has placed no hardship on you in practicing your religion- the hardship on you in practicing your religion- the religion of your father Abraham.” Koran 22:78religion of your father Abraham.” Koran 22:78