The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict What is at the core of the ongoing conflict between the Arabs and Israelis? Which areas of land are in dispute?

To Begin     God said to Abram: “Go from your land ... to the land that I will show you.” (Genesis 12:1) Two groups claimed Palestine as their homeland—the Arabs and the Jews- According to Jewish belief, God gave Abraham and his family the Land of Israel as a unique homeland where his descendants are supposed to create the nation that’s the model for the world.

Before WWI The area known today as Palestine and Israel were part of the Ottoman Empire. European nations were interested in gaining control of the territory because: The water routes around this area provided easy access to places like Russia, the Mediterranean Sea, and natural resources all over the Middle East and Central Asia. The Suez Canal, to the west of Palestine, was desirable to all the major powers.

WWI During World War I, the Middle East was promised to many different groups of people in exchange for military help during WWI (Arab rulers, average Arab people, Jewish people, and France and Great Britain). Balfour Declaration issued during war. After the war, it was divided into Mandates (basically colonies) controlled by France and Great Britain Jewish people began moving from homes around the world to relocate in Palestine. They did this to escape persecution. They dreamed of one day having a national homeland. People who wanted a Jewish homeland were called Zionists.

EXTRA INFO: WRITE DOWN THE UNDERLINED MATERIAL FROM THIS SLIDE! After WWII After World War II and the Holocaust, many people agreed that Jewish people needed a national homeland. 1948- The United Nations decided to give part of Palestine to Jewish people, and part to Arab Muslims. THE UN Partition Plan split Palestine into two states (1 Jewish & 1 Palestinian) and called for each states to be of roughly equal size, but the borders looked like a jigsaw puzzle… EXTRA INFO: WRITE DOWN THE UNDERLINED MATERIAL FROM THIS SLIDE!

The Palestinians Palestinians did not have any say when the United Nations gave part of the land on which they lived to Jewish people (they were a mandate, not a nation, so they didn’t have representation in the United Nations) All surrounding Arab nations opposed the formation of Israel. The UN thought it would be okay, because they gave part of the land in the area to the Palestinians. Many Palestinians were not happy!

1949 Arab-Israeli War Other Arab nations agreed with the Palestinians. They went to war with Israel to try and get the land back. Instead, Israel, who had military help from powerful nations like France, was able to beat the Arab coalition and gain the land that was supposed to be for Palestinians. After the war, over 700,000 Palestinian refugees were created after their land was taken. They still live in UN monitored refugee camps in areas like the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, Jordan, and Lebanon.

Refugee Camps

1967 Six Day War Israel felt threatened by its neighboring countries. They decided to strike. They were able to gain a large amount of territory, including the Sinai Peninsula and Gaza strip from Egypt and the Golan Heights from Syria. Why might the Peninsula and the Heights be important?

The PLO In 1969 Yasser Arafat became the leader of the Palestinian Liberation Organization. It is an organization of Palestinians who want to have a Palestinian nation-state. 1929-2004

1973 Yom Kippur War Arab nations struck first to try and regain territory lost in the 6 Day War. At first, they push the Israelis back. A massive airlift of US arms to Israel tips the balance. Arab oil states proclaim an embargo against all countries helping Israel. The US oil crisis begins.

The Intifada (“Shaking Off”) In 1987, Palestinians living in occupied territories began a revolt against the Israelis known as the Intifada. Their goal was to force Israel to give them their own national state using violence or any other means. Hamas is created.

Peace Efforts 1978 Camp David Accords – Israel and Egypt meet in the USA. Egypt regains the Sinai Peninsula. Israel pulled its military and civilians settlers out of both Gaza and the West Bank in an effort to curb violence.

Israel’s Prime Minister Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas The New Millennium In 2002 Israel began building a wall around the West Bank territory. Israelis view this as protection Palestinians view this as illegal Israel justifies their land grab by saying Palestine is not a nation. Hamas’ role in Palestinian gov’t. Governing authority of the Gaza Strip Conflict with Abbas Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas