Middle East Notes Standard 7-6.3

1. The Middle East A. T he roots of conflict in the Middle East run deep. B. M iddle East were colonies from European nations for many years. C. P eople in the Middle East wanted to remove foreign rule. D. T he Suez canal and oil in the Persian Gulf have always made this area powerful.

There is something artificial about a map of a region that was inhabited for centuries by nomads who had no concept of private property or national boundaries. Likewise, the map makers had no concept of racial, ethnic, religious or cultural differences. It was a recipe for disaster.

More things unite the three religions than divide them… All three practice ethical monotheism All three claim the same supreme being God/Yahweh/Allah All three claim Abraham as the founder and also some of the same prophets Jerusalem is sacred to all three All three have common beliefs and customs

2. Creation of Israel A. In 1948 Israel was created as a Jewish state by the Balfour Declaration. B. This announcement created conflicts that still remains today. C. Palestinian’s (Arabs), Jews and Christians all consider this area their homeland. D. Jerusalem is now in Israel which is a Holy Land for all three religions.

The Dome of the Rock is sacred to all three religions because it houses the rock on which Abraham was prepared to sacrifice his son, Isaac. It is from that rock that Muhammad ascended into heaven for a time before returning to develop the Islamic religion. The building adjoins the Wailing Wall, the last remnant of Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem.

Faithful Jews pray at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem in the shadows of the Dome of the Rock. Located on the West Bank, this beautiful building is one of the most hotly disputed religious places in all the world. All three religions claim it and have fought over it through the centuries.

A. With so many Jews displaced after the holocaust, there was a need to find a suitable location for resettlement and a homeland (Zionism) B. The Balfour Declaration (1917) had increased tensions between Jews and Palestinians. Britain had control of Palestine after WWI and the defeat of the Ottoman Empire C. The plans called to split Palestine in half, with a Jewish State and a Palestinian state. Jerusalem would be an ‘international city’ 3. The Zionist Movement

D. The country of Israel was created in 1948 in the Palestinians homeland. Palestinians retaliated and attacked but Israel won and held on to the land. E. In 1956, 1967, and 1973 there were more wars and the Israelis continued to gain more land from the Palestinians. The Palestinians were forced to relocate each time. 3. The Zionist Movement

Palestinian Homes Demolished to Make room for Israeli Settlements

A. Arabic people continued to show intense nationalism throughout the Middle East. B. In 1956 the Egyptian President sent troops to take over the Suez canal, which was in Egypt but was controlled by the British, since they paid for it. 4. Arab Nationalism

C. Great Britain wanted to retake the Canal, and convinced Israel to send in troops and work with the French to provide air support. Egypt was defeated, and lost land to Israel D. The United States and Soviet Union, in an effort to prevent another war, forced Israel to return the land to Egypt. 4. Arab Nationalism

Suez Crisis Troop Movements

A. In 1964 the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) came into being to support the creation of a Palestinian state. B. Yasser Arafat became their leader. C. Soon Guerrilla groups gained power and claimed they would use military force in order to create a Palestinian state. 5. Palestine fights back

D. In 1967 The President of Egypt and other Arab leaders prepared to go to war against Israel. E. Israel Attacked first, in Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Iran, Winning the Sinai Peninsula, the West Bank, Golan Heights and Jerusalem in the Six day war. 5. Palestine fights back

A. The Yom Kippur war occurred 6 years after the Six Day war B. The Arabs attacked Israel, and a cease fire was signed weeks later. C. This was the first Major peace between the two sides and was known as the “Camp David Accords” they led to Egypt recognizing Israel as a country 6. The Fighting Continues

D. This angered Muslim radicals who assassinated Egyptian President Anwar Sadat E. Palestinians launched the Intifada in 1987 which was a group of attacks and demonstrations against Israeli troops F. In 1993 the Oslo Peace accords were signed, Israel gave Palestinians self-rule in the west bank and Gaza strip. However the Israeli prime minister was assassinated by radical Jews and both sides are yet to form a lasting peace 6. The Fighting Continues

7. Conflicts in Summary A. Six Day War – 1967, Israel bombed Egypt and took out their air force and captured Palestine land tripling Israel’s land. B. Yom Kippur War – 1973, Egypt and Syria launched air strikes against Israel on the major Jewish holiday. C. PLO – 1987, led an intifada, uprising against Israel.

8. Iran A. In 1979 Ayatollahs, Muslim clergy, took control of Iran. B. These leaders upheld laws of the Quran and did not like Western interventions. C. An angry mob took 52 Americans hostage for almost a year. D. Today the situation is still tense between the U.S. and Iran.

9. Persian Gulf War A. In 1990 Saddam Hussein invaded an oil rich country, Kuwait. B. The U.S. formed a United Nations coalition to help Kuwait and forced Iraq out of Kuwait- Operation Desert Storm. C. The United States and the U.N. won the war, but President George H. W. Bush allowed Hussein to stay in power.

10. War on Terror A. Terrorists have repeatedly tried to upset the peace process in the Middle East. B. On September 11, 2001, members of al-Qaeda, a terrorist organization led by Osama bin Laden, attacked multiple targets in the United States.

11. September 11 2 Planes were flown into the World Trade Center in New York City 2 Planes were flown into the World Trade Center in New York City 1 Plane hit the Pentagon 1 Plane hit the Pentagon 1 Plane crash-landed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania after the passengers attempted to take back the plane from the hijackers. 1 Plane crash-landed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania after the passengers attempted to take back the plane from the hijackers. All hijackers and passengers aboard the planes were killed. All hijackers and passengers aboard the planes were killed.

12. September 11 th cont. President George W. Bush declared the area around the Trade Center as “Ground Zero.” President George W. Bush declared the area around the Trade Center as “Ground Zero.” President Bush also declared a “War on Terror.” President Bush also declared a “War on Terror.” As a result, the United States went to war against the Taliban in Afghanistan, where bin Laden was believed to be hiding.As a result, the United States went to war against the Taliban in Afghanistan, where bin Laden was believed to be hiding.

13. The War in Iraq In 2003 the U.S. formed another coalition to invade Iraq in search of suspected Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs.) In 2003 the U.S. formed another coalition to invade Iraq in search of suspected Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs.) Hussein used WMDs against his people in the past.Hussein used WMDs against his people in the past. Hussein was captured and executed by the Iraqis. Hussein was captured and executed by the Iraqis. In 2005 Iraqi voters approved a constitution and began re-building their government. In 2005 Iraqi voters approved a constitution and began re-building their government.