Arab-Israeli Conflict The Disputed Territory

When you get to the questions in red, write the questions on your paper and answer them! (9 questions in this ppt.)

Background Pre-1948: Palestine (remember: given to the Arabs after the fall of the Ottomans, Israel after 1948 Background: Zionist Movement (1870’s): Jewish nationalism, ethnic identity World Zionist Organization (1897): Founded by Theodore Herzl decides that there needs to be a place where Jews are safe (anti-Semitism grows in Europe opposing the Zionist movement)

Palestine Palestine: religious ties to Judaism (location for new Jewish homeland), but ties to Islam as well (ruled by Muslims for 1300 yrs.; given to them after WWI) Jewish National Fund: a trust fund set up to buy land in Palestine Begin buying land near the coast Some wealthy Arabs living in Europe sell the land (Great Depression?) Little immigration seen at this time

Immigration begins Balfour Declaration (1917): set up by the British for World Zionist Organization beginning of a national home for Jews in Palestine. Immigration to Palestine begins: still small numbers Arabs are angry: felt this land was promised to them by the British Remember McMahon letters? Why would the British promise the land to both the Jews and Arabs? Why did this add fuel to their fire?

Territory that McMahon promised

The Mandate System Post WWI: (1920’s): British acquire Palestine they do not consider debate over the land. Conflict over the territory between the two groups increases: Riots in Jerusalem #1: 1930’s: Jewish Immigration to Palestine increases drastically. Why? What was happening in Europe during that time?

Immigration increases Immigration increases for two big reasons: Anti-Semitism in Europe (Holocaust) Great Depression (Arab landowners become cash poor- must sell their land) 1936: Arab revolt: feel that the increased immigration: - is causing overcrowding - land distribution: losing all the “good land”

Jewish Settlements: The Kibbutz System First one founded in 1908. Communal living. “Make the Desert Bloom!”

Solutions to the problem? British suggest partition: divide the land into 2 states: One Arab and One Jewish There is resistance on both sides: fear the other would take by force, but land is still under British mandate British create the White Papers: states to limit immigration and land sales… does not happen but basically ends British attempts to partition mandate.

Peel Partition Plan, 1937

End of the Mandate 1945: World War II ends #2: The British cannot hold on to the mandate any longer. Why? Neither side wants the British in Palestine Ben-Gurion tells the British it’s time to leave 1947: British give the mandate to the UN UN decides to split the state (Arab/Jewish)

U.N.’s proposal

Israel: A new Jewish state May 14th 1948: Jewish proclaim their new national state of Israel (U.S./Soviet Union recognize) May 15th, 1948: Egypt, Trans-Jordan attack but Israel holds 100,000’s Palestinian Arabs leave (land is confiscated, most choose to leave, immigration increases) #3: The controversy: Left by choice or forced to leave?

Israel in 1948

Displaced Palestinian Arabs Palestinian Refugees: flee to neighboring Arab countries, but found that they were not welcome in many….#4: Why? Arab resistance to Israel: PLO (Palestinian Liberation Organization): founded in part by Yasser Arafat (1960’s) Intended to have an exile government for Palestinians Would launch terrorist attacks against Israel

Six Day War (1967) Syria gains “intelligence” from Soviet Union that Israel is mobilizing for war….is this accurate? Egypt and Syria prepare for war (tanks in the Sinai Peninsula) June 5th 1967: Israel attacks Egypt/Syria/Jordan; defeats all three easily in six days. Territorial Acquisitions for Israel: West Bank Golan Heights (from Syria) Suez Canal/Sinai (from Egypt, would stay there till 1980)

Six Day War - 1967

After the War… The Arab world in the Middle East is shaken Many regimes are overthrown PLO activity increases: Based in Jordan until 1970 Challenges the king’s authority Black September (1970): Jordan kicks out the PLO 1973: Munich Olympics (hostage crisis) PLO seen as terrorists worldwide.

The Disputed Territory Golan Heights—Israel and Syria West Bank—Israel, Palestinians

Yom Kippur War (1973) Oct. 6th 1973: Egypt launches a surprise attack on Yom Kippur (they want to take back the Suez Canal) U.S. offers support to Israel/Soviets offer support to Egypt #5: Why do you think they would do this? (think about the time period) OPEC in retaliation cuts off oil supply to west: gas prices soar Russia offers planes/pilots to Egypt Fearing Russia entering the war (WW3?) a cease fire is called

Yom Kippur War - 1973

Attempts at peace? As early as 1974 Palestinians seek West Bank and Gaza Strip as homeland territory. Camp David Accords (1979): President Carter orchestrates a peace agreement (for the first time!) between Israel and Egypt. Breakdown: (1982) Sadat (Egypt) is assassinated for his support of Israel.

Attempts at peace 13 September, 1993: Israel and PLO Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements (DOP) gives PLO timeframe for West Bank/Gaza Strip self rule 2000: 2nd intifadah disrupts negotiations to make Palestine its own state

Attempts at peace In 2005, Israel removes all soldiers and settlers (some by force) from the Gaza Strip. Last Spring (2008), Israel offered all of the West Bank and the Muslim Quarter of Jerusalem to the Palestinians to use to form their own nation. Their offer was turned down by the Palestinians who stated that this wasn’t enough. They wanted ALL of Jerusalem.

Attempts at peace President of Israel invited Syrian President to Jerusalem for peace talks Syria says that Israel can’t be serious because they are building more settlements in Golan

Struggle continues… Peace negotiations have started and stalled for years. West Bank still disputed territory #6: Will a fair compromise ever be achieved? Why or why not?

Questions from earlier this week: #7: What groups are unhappy with the current boundary lines? Why? #8: Why do the Palestinians and Israelis both claim the “Holy Land” (current nation of Israel) as their own? #9: How would YOU settle the Arab-Israeli conflict? Explain and even draw a map if you need to do so!