Israeli - Arab Conflict

1897 – Zionist movement founded to rebuild a Jewish nation in Palestine. 1917 – Balfour Declaration set up “a national home for the Jewish people in Palestine” But couldn’t be used to prejudice civil & religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities.

Both Jews & Arabs claim historical right to the land!!

Flag of Israel (Jewish state) Flag of Palestine (Arabic state)

1947 – The UN drew up a plan to partition Palestine into an Arab & a Jewish state. The Zionists accepted, the Arabs rejected.

1948 – Jews proclaimed an independent state of Israel 1948 – Jews proclaimed an independent state of Israel. Shortly after, Arab nations attacked (Egypt, Jordan & Syria). Israel won & doubled its territory. After the war in 1948, Israel & its Arab neighbors fight in 1956, 1967, 1973.

1967 – Israeli forces won Golan Heights from Syria, East Jerusalem & West Bank from Jordan, Gaza Strip & Sinai Peninsula from Egypt. Israel refused to give up the territories until the Arab nations recognized Israel’s right to exist.

PLO (Palestine Liberation Organization) was founded in 1964. Headed by Yasir Arafat, it waged guerrilla war on Israel with bombings, airplane hijackings & killing Israeli athletes at the 1972 Olympics.

1987 – Palestinian youth mounted an Intifada (uprising) to end the 20 year Israeli occupation of the West Bank & Gaza Strip.

1993 – Yasir Arafat & Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin signed an agreement to allow limited self rule for the Palestinians in the occupied areas. 1995 Rabin assassinated by a Jewish law student. Critic Benjamin Netanyahu became PM – Peace process slowed

2001 – Ariel Sharon becomes PM. Peace process comes to an end 2001 – Ariel Sharon becomes PM. Peace process comes to an end. Sharon attacks Palestinians in response to suicide bombings 2005 – Cease fire talks began between Israel and PLO, Israel withdrawals from the Gaza Strip and West Bank

2006 to present – Members of Hamas elected to the Palestinian parliament (Hamas is known for sponsoring terrorist activities). Israeli PM suffers a massive stroke, Benjamin Netanyahu is now current PM of Israel Flag of Hamas (not a country)

Israel and Palestine over the years…

2 videos – 2 viewpoints http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63hTOaRu7h4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fW5EhSYOYCQ