The Middle East How can cultural differences cause conflict?

The Arab-Israeli conflict

Geography. Israel is a small but developed country on land to the East of the Mediterranean sea. It has its own religion –Judaism- and is a recently formed country It is surrounded by Muslim (Arabic) countries on three sides-Egypt, Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, and Syria. It has a powerful friend in the USA. The land itself is fertile –if you have water. There are major cities- Jerusalem, Haifa, Tel Aviv. The land has a long history of war and bloodshed.

Blue – Jews Yellow – Muslim

Jerusalem Jerusalem is an ancient city that has been fought over for thousands of years. It is important for Christians, Muslims and Jews. Each group is highly suspicious of the other. Conflict has been violent and each group lives uneasily guarding its own space. Jerusalem is also a modern city and an economic centre of Israel.

Israel-the people. Because of its location, and long history, Israel has a large mixture of peoples. They are different faiths, appearance, skin colour etc etc.

So what is the problem? The land called ‘Israel’ is also called ‘Palestine’. The local people of this land were Muslim Arabs. They were called Palestinians because the land was called ‘Palestine’. After World War II, Jewish people were escaping Europe. Many owned nothing and had stepped straight out from Hitler’s death camps. The United Nations allowed them to seek refuge in the land of their ancestors- Israel.

Jewish people started to migrate to Palestine in large numbers. The Jews pushed the Palestinian Arabs to the east and claimed Palestine as their own country. The Palestinian Arabs fought back, and turned to Egypt, Jordan, and Syria for help. Israel fought the 3 country Arab army and defeated them in only 6 days. The two sides have been fighting ever since.

The Middle Eastern Governments Democracy Republic Autocracy Monarchy Dictatorship Oligarchy Theocracy

Middle East Governments DemocracyMonarchyDictatorshipTheocracyCommunism Leaders take Power ElectedPassed Down Take power by force or are elected Religious leaders are approved By force or election of party People’s Freedoms ManyVaryFew Economic Control Little government control VaryControl by Government Control by government Control by Government Country with this government Israel (A true Republic) Saudi ArabiaIraq (was), Sudan, North Korea Iran, Afghanistan under the Taliban Cuba