Israeli Tank/Palestinian Boy Israeli Bus/Palestinian Suicide Bomber Mr. H. Productions 1

2 What do we know so far?

Location of the Conflict The relative location of Israel and the Occupied Territories (Palestine?) is... ? Where is Israel? The Occupied Territories: 1.Where is Gaza/Gaza Strip? 2.The West Bank? 3.East Jerusalem? 4.Golan Heights (Syria)? 3

Pop. = ~7.7 mil.; growing 1.5%Pop. = ~7.7 mil.; growing 1.5% Ethnic/religious = ~75% Israeli/Jewish, ~25% Non-Jewish (mostly Arab/Muslim)Ethnic/religious = ~75% Israeli/Jewish, ~25% Non-Jewish (mostly Arab/Muslim) GDP/capita = ~$34,900GDP/capita = ~$34,900 Life exp. = ~81; inf. mort. = ~4Life exp. = ~81; inf. mort. = ~4 Biggest trade partner = USABiggest trade partner = USA Democratic gov. – one of few in regionDemocratic gov. – one of few in region Gets much of its water from the West Bank.Gets much of its water from the West Bank. Pop. = ~4.5 mil. (+4-6 mil. refugees nearby); growing ~2.1%Pop. = ~4.5 mil. (+4-6 mil. refugees nearby); growing ~2.1% Ethnic/religious =Ethnic/religious = ~99% Arab/Muslim +~99% Arab/Muslim + ~360,000 Jewish Israeli settlers in West Bank and East Jerusalem.~360,000 Jewish Israeli settlers in West Bank and East Jerusalem. GDP/capita = ~$2,900GDP/capita = ~$2,900 Life exp. = ~75; mort. = ~14Life exp. = ~75; mort. = ~14 Biggest trade partner = IsraelBiggest trade partner = Israel Semi-democracies (Hamas- Gaza, Fatah-WB)Semi-democracies (Hamas- Gaza, Fatah-WB) 4

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Once upon a time, three religions claimed Jerusalem in Palestine as a holy place. How are Judaism, Christianity, and Islam related to each other and to Jerusalem? Ancient History 6

The Holy Sites of Jerusalem Islam: Dome of the Rock and al Aqsa Mosque Christianity: Church of the Holy Sepulchre and Tomb of Jesus Judaism: Western Wall of the Temple 7 Its the rock under the Dome! Muhammad went up to heaven to chat with god from here! Jesus was buried here and then rose from the dead! Your prayer goes in the cracks of the wall here.

The Region Called Palestine After World War I, the Ottoman Empire collapsed and Great Britain gained control of the region called Palestine, where mainly Palestinian Arabs lived.After World War I, the Ottoman Empire collapsed and Great Britain gained control of the region called Palestine, where mainly Palestinian Arabs lived. 8

The UN Partition Plan In 1917, the British promised a Jewish homeland in part of Palestine (the Balfour Declaration).In 1917, the British promised a Jewish homeland in part of Palestine (the Balfour Declaration). Before, during, and after WWII, many Jews moved into the region of Palestine…this led to conflict with Palestinian Arabs who already lived there.Before, during, and after WWII, many Jews moved into the region of Palestine…this led to conflict with Palestinian Arabs who already lived there. After WWII, the UN decided to create a Jewish homeland in the region, and a homeland for the Palestinian Arabs in the region. Jerusalem was to be an international city controlled by the UN.After WWII, the UN decided to create a Jewish homeland in the region, and a homeland for the Palestinian Arabs in the region. Jerusalem was to be an international city controlled by the UN. Why might Palestinian Arabs have objected to the UN idea for two countries in the region? What conflicts might the UN plan on the map have led to? What conflicts might the UN plan on the map have led to? 9

The 1948 War In 1948, Great Britain pulled out of the region, Israel declared its independence, and the surrounding Arab countries immediately attacked Israel. Israel won the war. Many Palestinian Arabs fled the fighting but were not welcomed in the surrounding Arab countries -- most had to live in refugee camps. Camps after 1948 war Israel 1949 Jenin Refugee Camp Today Refugees in Camps 10

How did the new country of Israel compare to the UN plan after the 1948 war? 11

The 1967 War (The 6 Day War) In 1967, Israel launched a preemptive strike against its neighbors.In 1967, Israel launched a preemptive strike against its neighbors. Israel won the war and new territory, including all of Jerusalem, the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Sinai Peninsula, and Golan Heights.Israel won the war and new territory, including all of Jerusalem, the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Sinai Peninsula, and Golan Heights. 12

Israel and the Palestinians Today Israel controls the Golan Heights (Syria), Gaza, the West Bank, and all of Jerusalem.Israel controls the Golan Heights (Syria), Gaza, the West Bank, and all of Jerusalem. Palestinian Arabs mostly live in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem (the Occupied Territories), or in refugee camps or spread about in other (mostly neighboring) countries.Palestinian Arabs mostly live in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem (the Occupied Territories), or in refugee camps or spread about in other (mostly neighboring) countries. The Palestinians still have no country, but have some self-rule in Gaza and parts of the West Bank. Israel controls most of the West Bank territory, and invades Gaza occasionally.The Palestinians still have no country, but have some self-rule in Gaza and parts of the West Bank. Israel controls most of the West Bank territory, and invades Gaza occasionally. 13

The Water Issue Where does much of the regions water come from?Where does much of the regions water come from? 14

Israel Wants Security -- no more attacks by neighbors or suicide bombers, and a recognition of their right to exist.Security -- no more attacks by neighbors or suicide bombers, and a recognition of their right to exist. Access to water.Access to water. No right of return for Palestinians who used to live in what is now Israel.No right of return for Palestinians who used to live in what is now Israel. All of Jerusalem as their capital.All of Jerusalem as their capital. 15

Palestinians Want A country.A country. Control over their own country.Control over their own country. Access to the water in their territory.Access to the water in their territory. The right of return for Palestinian refugees to their former homes in what is now Israel.The right of return for Palestinian refugees to their former homes in what is now Israel. Jerusalem (at least the east part, including the Old City) as their capital.Jerusalem (at least the east part, including the Old City) as their capital. 16

What are two things that both sides want that would be difficult for both sides to have at the same time?What are two things that both sides want that would be difficult for both sides to have at the same time? 17

Currently… The Wall!The Wall! 18

Nearby Arab countries with Palestinian refugees (40% of Jordans population!)Nearby Arab countries with Palestinian refugees (40% of Jordans population!) People who want to see peace, justice, democracy, and stability in the regionPeople who want to see peace, justice, democracy, and stability in the region Why might the USA care about this conflict?Why might the USA care about this conflict? USA in 1973 USA on September 10, 2001 January 2009 – Click video with the finger!! 19

Who Cares (cont.) God knows it did not cross our minds to attack the towers but after the situation became unbearable and we witnessed the injustice and tyranny of the American-Israeli alliance against our people in Palestine and Lebanon, I thought about it. And the events that affected me directly were that of 1982 and the events that followed -- when America allowed the Israelis to invade Lebanon, helped by the U.S. Sixth Fleet. As I watched the destroyed towers in Lebanon, it occurred to me punish the unjust the same way (and) to destroy towers in America so it could taste some of what we are tasting and to stop killing our children and women. Osama bin Laden Admitting responsibility for attacks on US on September 11, 2001, on videotape shown on Al Jazeera, October 29, 2004God knows it did not cross our minds to attack the towers but after the situation became unbearable and we witnessed the injustice and tyranny of the American-Israeli alliance against our people in Palestine and Lebanon, I thought about it. And the events that affected me directly were that of 1982 and the events that followed -- when America allowed the Israelis to invade Lebanon, helped by the U.S. Sixth Fleet. As I watched the destroyed towers in Lebanon, it occurred to me punish the unjust the same way (and) to destroy towers in America so it could taste some of what we are tasting and to stop killing our children and women. Osama bin Laden Admitting responsibility for attacks on US on September 11, 2001, on videotape shown on Al Jazeera, October 29,

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