ISRAELI- PALESTINIAN CONFLICT: PRESENT PRESENT

1948 WAR The 1948 War: Arab nations vow to destroy Israel & declare war. Many Arab nations send troops to fight against Israel, but Israel wins. Israel takes: Almost ½ of the land the UN had partitioned as an Arab state ½ of Jerusalem

PALESTINIAN REFUGEES Palestinian Refugees: Over 500,000 Arabs flee their homes after the 1948 war. Many settle in UN refugee camps Camps had makeshift housing, poor sanitation; supposed to be temporary, but have become permanent homes for generations of Palestinians. Palestinians claim they have the right to return to their homes. This right, known as the Right of Return, is denied by Israel

THE FIGHTING CONTINUES After 1948 War: 3 more wars b/t Israel & Palestine: 1956, 1967, & 1973 Land changed hands & in the end, Palestine lost land & Israel won it. Occupied Territories: Lands where Palestinian Arabs live, but controlled by the Israeli military; Lands seized by Israel during 1967 war. 1. Gaza Strip (Egypt) 2. Golan Heights (from Syria) 3. West Bank (from Jordan) Palestinians want self-rule of the occupied territories

DEVELOPMENT OF THE PLO PLO: Stands for Palestinian Liberation Organization Formed in 1964 at a meeting of Arab nations Goal: To reclaim Palestine & destroy Israel. By 1970s: PLO attacks US & others who support Israel. Use terrorism (Ex: bombings & hijackings). Terrorists receive training & money from some Middle Eastern nations.

INTIFADA (LITERALLY MEANS “TREMOR”) 1987: Palestinian population in West Bank & Gaza Strip started a mass uprising, or Intifada, against Israeli occupation. Actions included: massive protests, general strikes, refusal to pay taxes, boycotts of Israeli products, & political graffiti. Also, stone throwing, Molotov cocktails, & building barricades to block the movement of Israeli military forces.

OSLO PEACE ACCORDS Israel did not recognize Palestine until In 1993, Israel & the PLO, Palestinian Liberation Organization, start negotiations. Two Big Issues: 1.Status of the Occupied Lands (Gaza Strip, West Bank, & Golan Heights) 2.Jewish Settlements in the Occupied Territories

OSLO PEACE ACCORDS Oslo Accords: Israel & PLO agree to recognize each other & stop fighting. Israel allows Palestinians living in Occupied Territories (Gaza Strip & West Bank) limited self-rule. Measures help until March 2002 when new violence erupts-- suicide bombers.

OSLO PEACE ACCORDS Why did the Oslo Accords Fail? 1.Jerusalem: both sides want control of it. 2. Right of Return: Palestinians who fled homes during Israeli-Palestinian wars, want the right to return to their homes. 3. Future of Jewish Settlements: in West Bank & Gaza Strip-- Jewish settlers moving in to Occupied Territories; this angers Palestinians

THE SECOND INTIFADA Al-Aqsa Intifada: Began in September 2000 Israeli police began using live ammunition after a Jerusalem police officer was knocked unconscious with a rock Bloodier than the 1 st intifada (in 1987).

THE SECOND INTIFADA Violence on both sides was significant - Palestinians use suicide bombers, gunfire - Israelis use tanks, aircraft Palestinian casualties = approximately 3000 killed Israeli casualties = approximately 1000 killed Ended in February 2005 – Peace agreement reached, but didn’t last

THE SITUATION TODAY Violence still goes on - Remember the videos we watched - Fear that war may break out again at any time. Many, many efforts have been made at peace agreements, but neither side is willing to give in.