The Arab-Israeli Conflict Part 1 CFR Crisis Guide: The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict –

Why is there so much hostility towards Israel in the Arab/Muslim world?

Why the Arab Hostility Towards Israel Why the Arab Hostility Towards Israel? For the Answer, Just Look at the Map

Zionist Movement / Zionism Political movement that began in Eastern Europe in late 19th century. Goal? The establishment of a Jewish state in Palestine, the biblical homeland of the Jews.

1917 The Balfour Declaration Statement by British Foreign Secretary, Sir Arthur Balfour, supporting establishment of a Jewish state in Palestine.

1919 The British Mandate After World War I, League of Nations gave Britain a mandate to govern Palestine. European Jews emigrated to Palestine in large numbers.

1945 The Impact of the Holocaust International support for creating a Jewish state in Palestine increased after the Holocaust.

The Palestinians Palestinians were the Arab inhabitants of Palestine. Opposed creation of Jewish state in their homeland. Violent conflicts broke out in Palestine between Arabs and Jews. Hundreds died.

U.N. Partition Plan, 1947 U.N. partitioned British- controlled Palestine into Arab and Jewish states. Reaction? Jews accepted partition plan. Arabs rejected it.

Israel’s War for Independence First Arab-Israeli War, 1948 May, 1948– Israel declared itself an independent state. U.S. first country to extend recognition to new state. Led to first Arab-Israeli War. How did this war start?

1948 War Israel was attacked by five neighboring Arab states: Egypt Syria Jordan Iraq Lebanon

Victorious Israeli soldiers Results of 1948 War Israel won decisive victory – and seized some territory UN had intended for the Palestinians. Cease-fire agreement ended fighting, but Arabs refused to sign peace treaty. No Arab country recognized Israel. Victorious Israeli soldiers 1948

Israeli territory before and after the 1948 war: Note that Israel took control of the western half of Jerusalem after the 1948 war.

Results of 1948 War 750,000 Palestinian refugees fled to neighboring Arab states.

Second Arab-Israeli War The Suez War, 1956 Egypt nationalized Suez Canal. Then Israel, Britain and France attacked Egypt and captured the canal and Sinai peninsula. U.S. opposed attack and U.S. and U.N. imposed a cease-fire and a withdraw from Sinai. Egyptian President Gamel Abdel Nasser

Third Arab-Israeli War The Six Day War, 1967 Israel launched preemptive attack against Egypt after Egypt mobilized its army. Jordan and Syria attacked Israel. War ended with decisive victory for Israel and Israel tripled amount of territory it controlled.

Results of the Six Day War Israel Captured Arab Territories Israel occupied this territory in 1967: Golan Heights from Syria. West Bank and East Jerusalem from Jordan. Sinai Peninsula and Gaza from from Egypt.

Results of the Six Day War Israeli Occupation of Gaza and the West Bank Israel now governed 1 million Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank . Israel’s continued occupation of these territories remains the major issue preventing peace between Israel and the Arab world today.

Results of the Six Day War UN Resolution 242 UN Security Council passed Resolution 242:calling for Israel to withdraw from the occupied territories. Israel refused. Also called for Arab states to recognize Israel and guarantee security of Israel’s borders. None did.

Results of the Six Day War Emergence of the PLO Arab’s suffered humiliating defeat in Six Day War. Many Palestinians became radicalized and turned to guerilla groups such as the PLO.

The PLO (Palestinian Liberation Organization) Yasser Arafat’s group, Fatah, took control of the PLO (1969). Under Arafat, the PLO fought a decades-long guerilla war against Israel to “liberate Palestine.” Goals: Destruction of Israel and establishment of secular Palestinian state. PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat

PLO Map

Yasser Arafat Terrorist or Freedom Fighter? Israel and U.S. branded Arafat as a terrorist, but he was admired as a freedom fighter by Palestinians and their allies throughout the world.

PLO Terrorism Munich Olympics 1972 Palestinian terrorist from “Black September” 11 Israeli athletes and coaches killed at Munich Terrorist Attack at Munich

Fourth Arab-Israeli War Yom Kippur War, 1973 Egypt and Syria attacked Israel on Jewish holy day. Israel repelled attack and cease-fire declared.

Camp David Accords, 1979 Peace treaty signed by Israel and Egypt. Egypt became first Arab state to recognize Israel. Israel returned Sinai Peninsula to Egypt. Sadat assassinated by Islamic extremists in 1981. President Carter with Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin Sadat's assassination

Carter with Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin

Israel’s Invasion of Lebanon, 1982 Israel invaded Lebanon to destroy PLO bases. Negotiated settlement allowed Arafat and PLO fighters to go to Tunisia. Israeli army occupied southern Lebanon for almost 20 years (until 2000)

Hezbollah (“Party of God”) Lebanese resistance group formed in response to Israel’s occupation. Islamic extremists who oppose Israel’s existence. Shiite group supported by Iran and Syria. Considered to be terrorist group by the U.S. Hezbollah leader Hassen Nasrallah and Hezbollah fighters

Palestinian Uprising First Intifada 1987-1993 Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation of West Bank and Gaza. 1,500 Palestinians and 400 Israeli’s died over six years. Hamas launched first suicide attacks inside Israel.

Hamas Islamic militant group founded in 1987 with vow to “liberate Palestine through violent jihad.” Has carried out scores of suicide bombings against Israel during past decade. Supported by both Iran and Syria.

Hamas Suicide Attacks

Clinton with Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Yasser Arafat Oslo Accords, 1993 President Clinton brokered peace agreement between Israel and the PLO. PLO recognized Israel’s right to exist and renounced use of violence. PLO goal now a Palestinian state next to Israel. Clinton with Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Yasser Arafat

Clinton with Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat

Oslo Accords: “Land for Peace” Israel agreed to gradual Palestinian self-rule in Gaza and West Bank as first steps towards establishment of Palestinian state (“Two state solution”) Palestinian Authority established to govern Palestinian territories. Arafat became first leader of the PA. Yasser Arafat

1990s Yasser Arafat: World Statesman

Jordan and Israeli Make Peace, 1994 Jordan became only the second Arab state to sign a peace treaty with Israel.

Palestinian Uprising Second Intifada 2000 - 2005 Clinton’s attempt to reach final settlement between Israel and Palestinians in 2000 failed. Led to second, more violent, Palestinian uprising. Dozens of suicide bombings in Israel and Israeli crack- down in Gaza / West Bank left thousands dead.

2002 Bush’s “Road Map” to Peace Bush called for Palestinian reforms and abandonment of terrorism in exchange for an end to Israeli settlements and creation of a Palestinian state. Bush became the first U.S. president to publicly endorse idea of a Palestinian state.

2004 New Palestinian Leadership Mahmoud Abbas elected as Arafat’s successor. Daily Show on Arafat's Death

2005 Israeli Policy of Disengagement Israel act to “disengage” from the Palestinians: Evacuated Gaza settlements Withdrew troops from Gaza. Turned Gaza over to the Palestinians. Also began construction of a security barrier separating Israel from West Bank. Dismantlement of Gaza Settlements 2005

Israel’s War with Hezbollah, 2006 Hezbollah killed eight Israeli soldiers and attacked Israeli civilian areas with rockets Israel responded by bombing and invading Lebanon again to destroy Hezbollah. Month-long war leaves 1,500 dead before U.N. brokered cease-fire agreement. Iranian influence in Lebanon

Hamas Election Victory, 2006 Hamas won surprise victory over Fatah in parliamentary election. Hamas took control of Palestinian parliament. Created bitter division b/ Fatah and Hamas.

Hamas vs. Fatah Palestinian Civil War, 2007 Hamas fighters Fighting broke out in Gaza between Hamas and Fatah forces. Hamas defeated Fatah and drove it out of Gaza. Now Hamas controls Gaza. Fatah controls only those parts of the West Bank not under Israeli occupation. Fatah fighters

Palestinian Power Struggle Today

Hamas vs. Fatah Fatah Hamas Secular moderates. Islamic extremists. Supported by U.S., E.U., most Arab states. Recognizes and wants peace with Israel. Controls parts of West Bank. Islamic extremists. Supported by Iran and Syria. No recognition of Israel’s right to exist. Stages attacks against Israel. Controls Gaza

Israel vs. Hamas War in Gaza 2009 Daily rocket attacks against Israeli towns provoked Israeli air strikes and ground assault against Hamas in Gaza. Three week war. Killed 1,400 Palestinians and 13 Israelis.

Israel vs. Hamas War in Gaza 2009 Both sides were accused of war crimes (the deliberate targeting of civilians). Israel widely criticized for using excessive force. Gaza Aftermath

Israel vs. Hamas Israeli Blockade of Gaza Israel imposed economic blockade on Gaza after Hamas gained control in 2007. Attempt to keep weapons from being sent to Hamas. Food / medicine allowed in. Nothing allowed out. “Duel use” items kept out.

Israel vs. Hamas War Again in Gaza, 2012 Massive offensive by Israel (1,500 strikes) against Hamas militants in retaliation for rocket attacks against Israel. Hamas fired 1,400 rockets at Israel. Israel threatened invasion, but ceasefire brokered by Egypt’s president, Mohamed Mursi after eight days of fighting.