Source: Susan M. Pojer, pptpalooza.net

Taken from Taken from http://www.geographyiq.com/pic/meast.gif

• Jews claimed Israel more than 3,000 years agoJews claimed Israel more than 3,000 years ago• Muslims & Christians (Palestinians) believed Muslims & Christians (Palestinians) believed

the land belonged to them since the Jews the land belonged to them since the Jews were driven out in 135 ADwere driven out in 135 AD

• Arabs believed the land belonged to them Arabs believed the land belonged to them since they had conquered the area in the 7th since they had conquered the area in the 7th centurycentury

Claims to the Holy Land

Claims to the Holy Land

Maps of Arab countries (green) and Israel (red).

Setting the Stage Setting the Stage • DiasporaDiaspora• Anti-SemitismAnti-Semitism• Zionism = Jewish/Israeli nationalismZionism = Jewish/Israeli nationalism

– Theodore Herzl – “The Jewish State”Theodore Herzl – “The Jewish State”

Palestine & WWIPalestine & WWI• Palestine ruled by Muslim Turks of the Ottoman Palestine ruled by Muslim Turks of the Ottoman

Empire before WWIEmpire before WWI• Turks defeated by Allied PowersTurks defeated by Allied Powers

– Britain given control over Palestine (Israel, West Bank, Britain given control over Palestine (Israel, West Bank, Gaza, Jordan) Gaza, Jordan)

– Governed as a mandate – permission to rule would end Governed as a mandate – permission to rule would end on May 15, 1948on May 15, 1948

Sykes-Picot AgreementSykes-Picot Agreement• British & French spheres of British & French spheres of

influence in the Middle East influence in the Middle East

McMahon Agreement McMahon Agreement The McMahon-Hussein Agreement of October 1915 was accepted by Palestinians as a promise by the British that after World War One, land previously held by the Turks would be returned to the Arab nationals who lived in that land.

• British Foreign British Foreign Secretary Sir Arthur Secretary Sir Arthur Balfour promoted the Balfour promoted the idea of creating a idea of creating a Jewish state Jewish state

• Despite this Balfour Despite this Balfour Declaration, the Declaration, the efforts to create a efforts to create a Jewish state failed, Jewish state failed,

• Hostility between Hostility between Palestinians and Jews Palestinians and Jews grewgrew

The Balfour Declaration, 1917

The Balfour Declaration, 1917

Tensions GrowTensions Grow• Both Jews & Arabs were upset with BritishBoth Jews & Arabs were upset with British

– Attacks Attacks

• Conflict over JerusalemConflict over Jerusalem– Population of Jews doubledPopulation of Jews doubled– Threatened Arabs in the regionThreatened Arabs in the region– Violence erupted in 1929, 1936, etc.Violence erupted in 1929, 1936, etc.

• After WWII, the After WWII, the United United NationsNations General General Assembly voted for a Assembly voted for a partition of Palestine partition of Palestine into a Palestinian state into a Palestinian state and a Jewish stateand a Jewish state

• Partition voted down – Partition voted down – but mandate ends May but mandate ends May 1515thth!!!!!!

• On May 14. 1948, Jewish On May 14. 1948, Jewish leader leader David Ben Gurion David Ben Gurion announced the creation announced the creation of an independent Israelof an independent Israel

An Independent IsraelAn Independent Israel

David Ben-Gurion declares Israel’s Independence May 14, 1948

Israel was quickly recognised by the USA and Russia. They were powerful, and rich, friends.

Israel Post-WWII:1947

&1949

Israel Post-WWII:1947

&1949

• May 15, 1948, May 15, 1948, six Islamic states (six Islamic states (Egypt, Iraq, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, & Syria) Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, & Syria) invaded Israelinvaded Israel

First Arab-Israeli WarFirst Arab-Israeli War

1948 Arab Invasion plans of Israel ( in red.)

From Lebanon and Syria

From Transjordan and Iraq

From Egypt

Israeli Defense Force (IDF)

Israeli Defense Force (IDF)

• Ben Gurion combined all of Israel’s forces Ben Gurion combined all of Israel’s forces together, Zionist or nottogether, Zionist or not– Arab forces were dispersed, disunifiedArab forces were dispersed, disunified

• Israeli’s had knowledge from assisting Brits in Israeli’s had knowledge from assisting Brits in WWIIWWII

Results of first Arab-Israeli War, 1948-49?Results of first Arab-Israeli War, 1948-49?

• Israel expanded by Israel expanded by 25%25%

• Jordan received E. Jordan received E. Jerusalem & West Jerusalem & West BankBank

• Egyptians received Egyptians received Gaza stripGaza strip

• Other Arab forces Other Arab forces pushed backpushed back

• UN declared cease-UN declared cease-fire on the “Green fire on the “Green Line” Line”

• Israel signed Israel signed armistices w/Arab armistices w/Arab statesstates

Israel

‘West Bank’-Jordanian

Gaza Strip-Egyptian

Palestinian Arab

refugees.

The seeds of years of future discontent ?

• 1967, Egypt’s leader 1967, Egypt’s leader Gamal Abdul Nasser and Gamal Abdul Nasser and Arab allies (including Arab allies (including Soviet assistance) were Soviet assistance) were prepared to confront prepared to confront IsraelIsrael

• Sensing attack, Israelis Sensing attack, Israelis struck airfields, in Egypt, struck airfields, in Egypt, Iran, Jordan, & SyriaIran, Jordan, & Syria

• Israel defeated the Arab Israel defeated the Arab states in this Six-Day states in this Six-Day War, and gained control War, and gained control of Jerusalem, the Sinai of Jerusalem, the Sinai Peninsula, Golan Heights, Peninsula, Golan Heights, and the West Bankand the West Bank

Six-Day War, 1967Six-Day War, 1967

• In 1956, Egypt, In 1956, Egypt, under under President President NasserNasser, seized , seized control of the Suez control of the Suez Canal from the Canal from the BritishBritish

Suez CrisisSuez Crisis

Gamal Abdul Nasser,

President of Egypt

• In October 1973, Nasser’s In October 1973, Nasser’s successor, President Anwar successor, President Anwar Sadat of Egypt, launched a Sadat of Egypt, launched a surprise attack on Israel on surprise attack on Israel on Yom Kippur, one of the holiest Yom Kippur, one of the holiest Jewish holidaysJewish holidays

• Coalition w/Syria Coalition w/Syria • Israelis counterattacked and Israelis counterattacked and

regained lost regained lost territoryterritory

• After several After several weeks, both sides weeks, both sides agreed to a truceagreed to a truce

The Yom Kippur WarThe Yom Kippur War

• In 1964, Palestinian officials formed In 1964, Palestinian officials formed the the Palestine Liberation Organization Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) (PLO) to push for the formation of a to push for the formation of a Palestinian statePalestinian state

• Guerrilla groups dominate Guerrilla groups dominate organizationorganization

• In 1969, In 1969, Yasir Arafat, became Yasir Arafat, became chairman of the PLO chairman of the PLO & led several & led several attacks against Israel attacks against Israel

• Neighboring Arab countries allowed the PLO to operate Neighboring Arab countries allowed the PLO to operate from their landsfrom their lands

• In November 1977, Anwar Sadat offered peace to In November 1977, Anwar Sadat offered peace to Israel in exchange for the rights of Palestinians Israel in exchange for the rights of Palestinians

Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO)Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO)

Yasir Arafat

• Pres. Jimmy Carter Pres. Jimmy Carter invitedinvited– Egypt’s Pres. SadatEgypt’s Pres. Sadat– Israeli Prime Minister Israeli Prime Minister to Camp David to Camp David

(presidential retreat in (presidential retreat in rural MD)rural MD)

• 13 days of negotiations13 days of negotiations– Egypt recognized Israel Egypt recognized Israel

as legitimate stateas legitimate state– Israel agreed to return Israel agreed to return

the the Sinai Peninsula to Sinai Peninsula to EgyptEgypt

• The 1979 Camp David The 1979 Camp David Accords ended 30 Accords ended 30 years of hostilities years of hostilities between Egypt and between Egypt and Israel (first ever Israel (first ever signed agreement signed agreement between Israel and between Israel and an Arab country)an Arab country)

Camp David Accords (1979)

Camp David Accords (1979)

Camp David Accords (1979)

Camp David Accords (1979)

President President Prime MinisterAnwar Sadat Jimmy Carter Menachem Begin of Egypt of the U. S. Of Israel

Camp David Accords (1979)

Camp David Accords (1979)

• Sadat’s peace initiative Sadat’s peace initiative angered many Arab angered many Arab countriescountries

• In 1981, a group of In 1981, a group of Muslim extremists Muslim extremists assassinated himassassinated him

• Egypt’s new leader, Egypt’s new leader, Hosni MubarakHosni Mubarak, also , also worked to maintain worked to maintain peace w/Israelpeace w/Israel– However, we know what However, we know what

later happens to later happens to Mubarak…Mubarak…

Sadat’s Assassination Sadat’s Assassination

• Founded in 1987Founded in 1987• Islamic Sunni’sIslamic Sunni’s• Gaza StripGaza Strip• Goal = Palestinian Goal = Palestinian

liberation from Israelliberation from Israel

HamasHamas

HezbollahHezbollah• LebanonLebanon• Shi’ite Islamic groupShi’ite Islamic group• Support from Syria & Support from Syria &

IranIran• Goal = destruction of Goal = destruction of

Israel Israel

• Palestinians continued Palestinians continued to clash with the Israelisto clash with the Israelis

• Fighting intensified Fighting intensified between the PLO and between the PLO and IsraelIsrael

• In 1982, Israel invaded In 1982, Israel invaded Lebanon to destroy Lebanon to destroy Palestinian strongholds, Palestinian strongholds, but later withdrew to but later withdrew to avoid involvement in avoid involvement in Lebanon’s civil warLebanon’s civil war

Fighting in LebanonFighting in Lebanon

• In 1987, Palestinians In 1987, Palestinians began a widespread began a widespread campaign of civil campaign of civil disobedience known as the disobedience known as the intifadaintifada, or “uprising”, , or “uprising”, which continued until the which continued until the 1990s1990s

• The The intifadaintifada put pressure put pressure on the Israelis to seek on the Israelis to seek negotiations with Palestinenegotiations with Palestine

• October 1991, Israeli & October 1991, Israeli & Palestinian delegates met Palestinian delegates met for a series of peace talksfor a series of peace talks

IntifadaIntifada

• Secret talks in Oslo, Norway produced the Secret talks in Oslo, Norway produced the Declaration of Principles, known as the Oslo Declaration of Principles, known as the Oslo Peace Accords of 1993Peace Accords of 1993

• Israel, under Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, gave Israel, under Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, gave Palestinians self-rule in the Gaza strip and West Palestinians self-rule in the Gaza strip and West Bank, beginning with JerichoBank, beginning with Jericho

• Rabin was assassinated in 1995 by a right-wing Rabin was assassinated in 1995 by a right-wing Jewish extremist Jewish extremist

• New Israeli P.M., Benjamin Netanyahu, had New Israeli P.M., Benjamin Netanyahu, had opposed the Oslo Accords, but in 1997 met with opposed the Oslo Accords, but in 1997 met with Arafat to work out partial Israeli Arafat to work out partial Israeli withdrawal from withdrawal from the West Bankthe West Bank

Oslo Peace Accords (1993)

Oslo Peace Accords (1993)

• In 1999, Ehud Barak was In 1999, Ehud Barak was elected PM of Israelelected PM of Israel

• U.S. President Bill Clinton U.S. President Bill Clinton hosted 15-day summit in hosted 15-day summit in 2000 at Camp David 2000 at Camp David between Ehud Barak & between Ehud Barak & Yasir Arafat, but no Yasir Arafat, but no compromise was reachedcompromise was reached

• In later months, Ariel In later months, Ariel Sharon, an Israeli political Sharon, an Israeli political leader, visited the Temple leader, visited the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, a Mount in Jerusalem, a Jewish holy placeJewish holy place

• The Temple Mount is also The Temple Mount is also the location of the Dome of the location of the Dome of the the Rock, one of the holy Rock, one of the holy places of the Muslimsplaces of the Muslims

• Riots broke out and a Riots broke out and a second second intifadaintifada was was launchedlaunched

More Peace Talks, 1999-2000

More Peace Talks, 1999-2000

• Palestinian militant groups Palestinian militant groups began using suicide bombers, began using suicide bombers, attacking Jewish settlements attacking Jewish settlements and civilian locationsand civilian locations

• In response, Israeli forces In response, Israeli forces moved into Palestinian moved into Palestinian refugee camps, destroying refugee camps, destroying buildings, towns, and campsbuildings, towns, and camps

• The Israeli army also bombed The Israeli army also bombed Arafat’s headquartersArafat’s headquarters

• In 2001, Ariel Sharon was In 2001, Ariel Sharon was elected Israeli Prime Minister elected Israeli Prime Minister & refused to negotiate with & refused to negotiate with Palestinians until attacks Palestinians until attacks stoppedstopped

The Second IntifadaThe Second Intifada

• In 2003, Palestinian leaders appointed first-In 2003, Palestinian leaders appointed first-ever prime minister Mahmoud Abbasever prime minister Mahmoud Abbas

• U.S. President George W. Bush brought U.S. President George W. Bush brought Sharon and Abbas together at the Red Sea Sharon and Abbas together at the Red Sea Summit to begin working on a new peace Summit to begin working on a new peace plan known as the “road map”plan known as the “road map”

The Road MapThe Road Map

• In January 2006, the In January 2006, the Islamic militant group Islamic militant group Hamas won a victory in Hamas won a victory in the Palestinian the Palestinian parliamentary elections parliamentary elections (76 of the 132 seats)(76 of the 132 seats)– ruling Fatah (PLO) party ruling Fatah (PLO) party

trailed with 43 seatstrailed with 43 seats

• U.S. and Israel under U.S. and Israel under Interim P.M. Ehud Interim P.M. Ehud Olmert refused to deal Olmert refused to deal with Hamaswith Hamas

Hostilities Resume, 2006Hostilities Resume, 2006

• Israel-Gaza conflict emerged in the summer of Israel-Gaza conflict emerged in the summer of 2006 between Hamas and Israeli forces 2006 between Hamas and Israeli forces

• Israel also began a struggle with Hezbollah in Israel also began a struggle with Hezbollah in LebanonLebanon

• In mid-2007, Palestine entered into a civil conflict In mid-2007, Palestine entered into a civil conflict between Hamas and Fatah partiesbetween Hamas and Fatah parties

• In June 2008, Hamas and Israel agreed to a cease-In June 2008, Hamas and Israel agreed to a cease-fire fire

• Attacks continuedAttacks continued

Hostilities ContinueHostilities Continue

More recently…More recently…• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to

Congress Congress • Pres. Obama has urged Israeli to return to its 1967 Pres. Obama has urged Israeli to return to its 1967

bordersborders• Netanyahu turned down suggestionNetanyahu turned down suggestion

• November 2012November 2012 – Hamas rocket & missile launches Hamas rocket & missile launches – Israeli military, authorized by Netanyahu, launches Israeli military, authorized by Netanyahu, launches

“Operation Pillar of Defense”“Operation Pillar of Defense”– Israeli Defense ForceIsraeli Defense Force

• Israel’s Iron Dome rocket defense systemIsrael’s Iron Dome rocket defense system– Killed Hamas military leader, Ahmed al-JabariKilled Hamas military leader, Ahmed al-Jabari– Hamas considers this to be declaration of warHamas considers this to be declaration of war

• Continued Hamas rocket & missile attacksContinued Hamas rocket & missile attacks– Backed by Muslim BrotherhoodBacked by Muslim Brotherhood

• Nov. 21Nov. 21stst – Ceasefire – Ceasefire

Just This Fall…Just This Fall…

• Palestine upgraded to non-member observer Palestine upgraded to non-member observer status in the United Nationsstatus in the United Nations

Just This Fall…Just This Fall…