IS THERE A PATHWAY TO PEACE? ARAB Israeli Conflict IS THERE A PATHWAY TO PEACE?

A CONFLICT OF BIBLICAL PROPORTIONS Promise to Abraham Birth of Ishmael Birth of Isaac Birth of Muhammad (descendent of Ishmael) Founder of Islam Claims of Ishmael

ORIGINS OF ARAB-ISRAELI CONFLICT The shape of many modern day-middle Easter countries emerged after World War I, as the Ottomon Empire (Turkish) as the Allied powers assumed control of their territories. In 1920, Allied leaders gathered in Italy and created new territorial mandates.

The IMMIGRATION TO PALESTINE This new declaration spurred hundreds of thousands of Jews to immigrate back to the land of Israel. This movement sparked a three year revolt from the Arabs in the Palestinian area beginning in 1936. Immigration continued. The mandate system (under the League of Nations) began to breakdown as territories declared their independence. After WWII, the newly established United Nations decided to forge a TERRITORY-SHARING agreement between Palestinian Arabs and Jews in 1947.

If the Arabs put down their weapons today, there would be no more violence. If the Jews put down their weapons today, there would be no more Israel.” Benjamin Netanyahu

What are the rightful borders? Are the Palestinians entitled to their own state? How and where should this state be created? How can Israelis and Palestinians share or relinquish territory that has been occupied by civilians for decades AND holds vital religious significance? What role should the United States play?

PALESTINIANS WANT A TWO STATE SOLUTION Want Israel to withdraw to its 1967 borders Want the creation of a viable Palestinian State which includes East Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip. and the West Bank. Want Israel to recognize the “right of return to present-day Israel and reclaim the land they left behind as a result of the 1948 or 1967 wars (60% Israelis support a separate…but also believe right of return would destroy Israel).

How much aid should the US Give? Since 1948, the United States became the first country to officially recognize Israel and have enjoyed a close relationship as allies. MILITARY AID - $121 billion ($3 billion per year) TRADE – in 2012 alone, US exported $18 billion and imported $27 billion in goods and services (diamonds, pharmaceutical, medical instruments, etc.) CONFLICT MEDIATION - Among others, Camp David Accords in 1978 signed first peace agreement. 1993 Oslo accords between PLO and Israel.

SHOULD THE UNITED STATES HALT AID if Israel CONTINUES TO BUILD IN DISPUTED TERRITORIES? Two tracts of land have become the focus of attention in East Jerusalem and the West Bank. Israeli Housing Developments (first established 1967) in disputed territories. As of 2012, nearly one million Israelis living in these areas along with 2.3 million Palestinians.) 4-term Prime Minister Netanyahu, supports continued construction, but the UN has classified these as illegal. The Obama administration has vocally opposed as well.

OBAMA & THE UNITED STATES NON-VETO At the end of 2016, the United States allowed a UN Security Council resolution condemning Israeli settlement construction to be adopted, defying extraordinary pressure from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government in alliance with President-elect Donald Trump. "A veto means support of settlement activities," Saeb Erekat, the Palestinian negotiator, said after the resolution was pulled, according to the Times. "A veto means abandoning the two-state solution and peace efforts."

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT #1| A BASIC UNDERSTANDING OF THE ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN CONFLICT HANDOUT ASSIGNMENT #2 | READ THE GUIDE ON HEALTHCARE. YOU DO NOT NEED TO COMPLETE THE STUDY GUIDE…YET.