Israel and Surrounding Countries

Religious Holy Places For Jews- Jerusalem is the capital of Israel and their homeland. – Temple Mount-home to 1 st and 2 nd Temples – Western Wall (Wailing Wall)-only remaining piece of the Second Temple (destroyed in 70 AD)

Religions Places, cont. For Christians-Jerusalem is the sacred location of the final suffering and crucifixion of Jesus. Mount of Olives and Church of the Holy Sepulcher Launched Crusades to regain the lands from Muslims but failed.

Religious Places, cont. For Muslims-After Mecca and Medina, Jerusalem is the third most holy city. – Has the Dome of the Rock and Al Aqsa Mosque – Controlled area until May 1948.

CFU?? Why is Jerusalem important to all 3 groups?

A History of Unrest Plagued with political tension and unrest Ottoman Empire, Muslim government based in Turkey ruled from until their collapse after WWI. Sided with Germany during WWI, lands were divided b/w Britain and France. French controlled North (Syria and Lebanon Britain controlled South (Israel and Jordan)

British control over Palestine Land controlled by Britain was called Palestine. 19 th century movement called Zionism rose. Its goal was to establish a Jewish homeland in Palestine. Jewish settlers started buying lands in Palestine. Before WWI, 12% of pop. After WWI, Britain controlled area and allowed Jewish immigrants to continue to settle.

Zionism, cont. More and More Jews poured into Palestine to escape persecution in Germany -Arabs resisted the est. of the Jewish state. Finally, Britain halted Jewish immigration. After WWII, thousands of Jewish survivors wanted to settle there, Britain turned to the UN to decided.

CFU?? Why do you think the UN and the world backed the creation of Israel?

The State of Israel World opinion supported the est. of a Jewish nation-state. The UN decided to divide Palestine into two states—one of Arabs and one for Jews. The nation of Israel was developed on May 14, 1948 Immediately Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen invaded Israel. Israelis fought back and est. themselves as an est. nation by the 1950s

Stuck in the Middle Eastern Mediterranean Countries Palestinian Arabs and Christians were stuck in the middle. Many fled homes for UN sponsored refugee camps just outside Israeli’s borders In the 1960’s. the PLO was established to pursue their political and military means to take possession.

Syria Lebanon Jordan

Economics Issue s Gained independence recently, after WWII. Creation of Israel produced over 3.6 million refugees who cannot find adequate food, shelter, and are unemployed. Also, civil wars that have plagued both Lebanon and Syria in recent years

CFU?? What impact have refugees and civil wars had on modernizing the economies of this subregion?

Modern Infrastructure Nations have great potential development with a good climate and tourist attractions Unfortunately, they lack infrastructure that would help a growing economy. Roads in war torn areas must be rebuilt. Communications systems and power sources must be developed.

Modern Life A blend of old and new Muslim Arabs make up majority but there is a variety of cultures. Lebanon has served as a refuge for Christians and Muslims (shi’ite) Bedouins live in the Negev Desert

Exit Ticket How did the creation of the nation of Israel increase tension in the subregion? Think about: religious differences, division of Palestine