Arab-Israeli Conflict – Part I

A divided & holy land:

Origins In 70 AD, the Jewish population revolted against Roman control of the area. After a long siege of the Jerusalem, Roman armies killed thousands of Jews, destroyed the Second Temple, and drove the remaining Jewish population out of Israel. Photo: Masada

What happened to most of the Jews? Most spread throughout the world (especially Europe). This spreading of the Jews is known as the Diaspora. Many lived in separate communities in European cities and towns known a ghettos

The Jewish “homeland” in Palestine? Palestine was eventually conquered 641 AD by the Arabs and was controlled politically by the caliphs of the Umayyad (661 – 750) and Abbasid Dynasties (750 – 1258). The Dome of the Rock was built during the 7th century in Jerusalem.

The Turkish Ottoman Empire will conquer Palestine in 1516 and will rule it until 1918.

Zionism During the 1800s, persecution & hatred of Jews (anti-Semitism) led to the birth of a new movement called Zionism. What is Zionism? A movement which sought to set up a Jewish state in Palestine. This was led by influential European Jews under the leadership of Theodor Herzl.

Zionism -- continued Some Jews do migrate to Palestine in the late 1800s & early 1900s. What Muslim-dominated empire controlled the area at this time? The Ottoman Empire (Turkish-dominated) – the Ottomans allow small numbers of Jews to settle in Palestine, but already feelings of who really has a right to the land are creating some tensions

World War I & Palestine During World War I (1914-1918), the Ottoman Empire fought with the losing Central Powers. As a result of the defeat, the winning Allies break up the empire and do what with the land? The Europeans set up “mandates.” The British & French divide much of the Middle East – Palestine is designated a British mandate.

What do the British do with Palestine? The British government issued the Balfour Declaration in 1917: The British govt. gave public support to the creation of a Jewish state in Palestine (without interfering with the rights of those already there --- the Palestinian Arabs) The British allow thousands of European Jews to emigrate to Palestine (1920s). Many Jews buy land from impoverished Arab farmers.

Events in the 1930s/early 40s affecting Jewish migration to Palestine Nazi anti-Semitism drives thousands to Palestine in the 1930s. After the discovery of the Holocaust at the end of World War II (1945), Zionism is extremely popular with Jews. It also propels many nations around the world to support the Zionist cause. Arab revolts in Palestine against Jews and the British cause reason for the British to be concerned over escalating violence. The British put down the revolts.

Summary of early 20th century roots of the conflict

The British relinquish control to the United Nations. Why? Britain is unable to control erupting violence between Jews and Palestinian Arabs. Britain was weak after their narrow victory in World War II. The UN was an international organization designed to settle conflicts.

The UN Partition Plan of 1947 Purpose? Divide the land into a Jewish state (Israel) and an Arab state (Palestine) Jerusalem would be administered by the UN

The UN Plan of 1947 Accepted by the Jewish representatives. Rejected by the Palestinian representatives – believe it is a creation of the Western powers

The UN Plan is carried out – May, 1948. What happens? 1. The Modern state of Israel declares independence. 2. Most nations of the world recognize the new state of Israel (the U.S. was the first) All Arab nations refused to recognize Israel. Many of the nations of the Middle East send troops to Palestine to wipe out the new nation ---- This is known as the First Arab-Israeli War.

First Arab-Israeli War - 1948

What were the results of the 1948 Arab-Israeli War? Total Israeli victory Half the land designated “Palestine” in the UN Plan and half of Jerusalem (West Jerusalem) come under Israeli control. Jordan, Egypt, & Syria absorb the land that remains and tries to help Palestinian refugees.

Summary of the conflict from the UN Plan through the first wars

What happened to the Palestinian Arab population in Israel or acquired by Israel? A half million Palestinians fled their homes and became refugees living in UN refugee camps in neighboring Arab countries.

Palestinian Refugees

Palestinian Refugee Camps

Many remained in Israel (became a minority) --- 18 % of total population

Questions From what we’ve learned so far, who do you think has a better claim to the land? Do you have sympathy for one side? Why or why not?

The Dead Sea