FEBRUARY 13, 2017 Get out stuff for notes Israel/Palestine HW: River Conflict Research due tomorrow TEST Friday!

Suppose you got pressured? How could you solve the problem peaceably? What would you do if your brother, sister, or other family member came into the room later today and said that you have to make room for them and their stuff or find another place to sleep? Who should get the room? Suppose you got pressured? How could you solve the problem peaceably? After the students have had time to compose an answer discuss the options as a class. Socratically ask them what they value based on their writing and discussion. Sharing? Space/Territory? Freedom? Privacy? What things would be different if Mom or Dad got involved? Could this situation be applied to groups in cities and nations?

Palestine – Israel 101 two historically related groups of people living in the same geographic area and who should possess it now or at the very least how to share it. At the heart of this conflict is a dispute over land and boarders.

For centuries these groups had lived in harmony The land of Palestine was inhabited by Palestinian Arabs 400,000 Muslims – 80% 75,000 Christians – 15% 25,000 Jews – 5% 1850 For centuries these groups had lived in harmony

Zionism In the late 1800s; Extremist European Jews decided to colonize Palestinian land They wanted to create a Jewish homeland

Zionism Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iVQdjMg_Y4&list=UUgRvm1yLFoaQKhmaTqXk9SA&index=261&feature=iv&src_vid=3p9-WuQoGdY&annotation_id=annotation_2117321621

1947 – The UN gets involved In the aftermath of WWII and the Holocaust the UN gave 55% of Palestine to a newly created Jewish State – Israel

1948: Arab Israeli War 90,000 European-trained Zionist soldiers possessing modern weaponry 30,000 ill-equipped, poorly trained Arab soldiers VS

Israel conquered 78% of Palestine Created nearly 1 million Palestinian refugees Over 400 towns and villages were destroyed Every city, river, and hill received a new Hebrew name Denied the existence of Palestine

Brief Historical Background

1967: Six Day War Israel conquered more land by launching a highly successful attack Occupied additional 22% of Palestine – The West Bank and the Gaza Strip

Recognizing the Two Sides The Palestinian Side: Fear of Dispossession / 20th Century Jewish Immigration 57-year Military Occupation Spiritual connection to the Holy Land

Recognizing the Two Sides The Jewish Side: History of Jewish Persecution Holocaust Israel as Jewish ‘Safe Haven’ Spiritual connection to the Holy Land

Economic Comparative Analysis In the land between the Mediterranean sea and the Jordan river… Israel Unemployment 1 out of 10 Growth rate -0.8% Palestine Unemployment 1 out of 2 Growth rate -18% GDP Per Capita Annual Budget UN HDI Rank $117.4 Billion $19,500 $45.1 Billion 22 out of 177 GDP Per Capita Annual Budget UN HDI Rank $2.4 Billion $700 $1.2 Billion 102 out of 177 A Palestinian has to work for 28 years to earn what an Israeli does in one year Sources: United Nations 2004 Human Development Index (HDI), 2003 CIA World Fact Book.

Military Comparison Israel Palestine Main Battle Tanks – Israel continues to maintain tens of thousands of troops in the West Bank and Gaza – Israel invaded and occupied those areas in the 1967 war Main Battle Tanks – Combat Aircraft – Artillery – 2001 Military Expenditures – Official Active Forces – 3,950 438 1,542 $10.1 billion 167,600 $85 million 35,000 Source: Center for Strategic and International Studies “We can argue with the Palestinians about who’s to blame; but about who is suffering worse – there is no argument. They are a destitute nation living in an elaborate prison under the guns of the Israeli army.” Jerusalem Post Editorial, March 3, 2004

A Look at the Israeli Barrier from Space Before After CLOSE UP: Qalqilyah was a relatively rich Palestinian town, nicknamed the ‘bread basket.’ After the Wall was constructed around it the cost of shipping goods has tripled. Consequently, 600 stores have been forced to close and now 75% of the town’s 40,000+ residents depend on humanitarian assistance from overseas.

The Israeli Barrier on the Ground Archbishop Pietro Sambi, of Jerusalem said the wall, “cuts in half monasteries, convents, churches and cemeteries.” The pictures above are of the wall in Bethlehem

How Do We Resolve the Conflict?

One State Solution One unified country that includes current Israel, West Bank, and Gaza Strip

Two State Solution Israel has its own territory Palestine has own territory

Barriers to Peace Control of Jerusalem Borders Jewish Settlements Economic gap between Israel and Palestine Terrorism/Military strikes Lack of recognition of Israel by Middle East Lack of recognition of Palestine by Israel and US