Arab/ Israeli Conflict SS7H2 The student will analyze continuity and change in Southwest Asia (Middle East) leading to the 21st century. ab. Explain the historical reasons for the establishment of the modern State of Israel in 1948; include the Jewish religious connection to the land, the Holocaust, anti-Semitism, and Zionism in Europe. c. Describe how land and religion are reasons for continuing conflicts in Southwest Asia (Middle East

How it started Before World War I, Palestine was a district ruled by the Turkish Ottoman Empire. The Ottomans were defeated by Britain and her allies in the war. After WWI, Britain took control of Palestine, but there was much trouble between the Arabs who lived there and Jews who wanted to live there too. Jews have long historical and religious ties to the land dating back thousands of years. They believe it was promised to them by God. In the early part of the 20th century thousands of Jews moved to the area before it became Israel to start new lives and set up new communities. Many were escaping Europe and Russia as they were where they were being persecuted for being Jewish. Many more moved to Israel after the Holocaust, including from Arab countries.

1947-49 Britain no longer wanted to control the Territory 1947-49 Britain no longer wanted to control the Territory. The UN suggested create two states: one Arab, one Jewish. The Jews accepted; the Arabs rejected the plan. On May 15, 1948 the Jews declare themselves a country. The next day Egypt, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan invaded Israel.

1964 The P.L.O (Palestinian Liberation Organization) was founded by a man named Yasser Arafat. The PLO vowed to reclaim their land and destroy the state of Israel.

On June 5, 1967, Israel attacked it’s neighbors, the Arab troops, along its borders. In the six-day war, Israel seized the Sinai from Egypt, the Golan Heights from Syria, the West Bank and the Old City of Jerusalem from Jordan.

Pictured, Syrian soldiers raise their hands in surrender on the Golan Heights, five days into the Yom Kippur War 1973 On October 6, Syria and Egypt launched a surprise attack on Israeli- held lands to coincide with the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur.

1979 The US President Jimmy Carter brought the leaders of Egypt and Israel together at the Camp David Accords. The Sinai Peninsula was to returned to Egypt. The surrounding Arab countries were not happy and later Anwar Sadat is assassinated.

1993 The Oslo accords were agreed, which provided for mutual recognition between the PLO and the state of Israel, and limited Palestinian self rule in the West Bank and Gaza. Jordan also signed a peace deal with Israel. Pictured, President Bill Clinton presides over ceremonies marking the signing of the accord with Israeli prime minister Yitzhak Rabin, left, Arafat, right

Current Situation Although the PLO has essentially made peace with Israel other groups still attack Israel today. Hamas and Hezbollah are just two of the groups that still commit terrorists acts in Israel to this day. According to many Palestinians and their supporters, violence against Israel is driven principally by opposition to Israeli occupation of lands they believe are Palestinian. There have also been Israelis who have committed acts against the Palestinians.

Israeli soldier stands next to an Islamic Jihad poster glorifying a Palestinian suicide bomber who killed three Israelis in 2003.

Bilal is from a family of Bedouin Arabs, an often-displaced tribal people who endure a harsh existence without electricity, running water, sanitation and medical facilities. Bedouin homes are makeshift structures made of available materials. At the time of the photo, Bilal lived in a one-room shack in Wadi Abu Hindi, a district northeast of Jerusalem. To the left is the place where Bilal slept. It is unlikely he still lives here, as in spring 2011 many Bedouin families were expelled from the area when the Israeli military said it was illegal for them to live there. Many Bedouins' homes were demolished so that a security wall could be built.

Tzvika lives in the Jewish settlement of Beitar Illit, a fast-growing community of 36,000 with one of the highest birthrates in the West Bank. Located near Jerusalem, the settlement is home to Haredi Jews, who represent the most conservative subset of orthodox Judaism. To the left is Tzvika's bedroom, which he shares with his three siblings. Jewish settlements are considered illegal under international law (although Israel disputes this), and Palestinians strongly oppose them.

Douha lives in a Palestinian refugee camp in Hebron (in the southern part of the West Bank) along with her 11 brothers and sisters. Her brother (pictured in the poster in Douha's bedroom on the left) killed himself and 23 others in a 1996 suicide bomb attack against Israelis.

Reflection Write for three minutes about BOTH of the following questions. If you were Israeli, why might you think you should live on the land that is now Israel? If you were Palestinian, why might you think you should live on the land that is now Israel?

General Why is there conflict in the Middle East? How do you think that conflict should be handled?

Advanced Who do you think is entitled to the land of Israel? Explain your rationale. Give solid evidence as to why your opinion is justified.