The Palestinian-Israeli Conflict

1947: U.N. Partition of Palestine The UN proposed an Arab state and a Jewish state. The UN proposed an Arab state and a Jewish state. Jews accepted the proposal. Arabs rejected it. Jews accepted the proposal. Arabs rejected it. Israel declares independence in 1948 and is immediately attacked. Israel declares independence in 1948 and is immediately attacked. Israel wins more land than it would’ve received from the proposal. Israel wins more land than it would’ve received from the proposal.

1964: The PLO Formed Palestine Liberation Organization Created by Egypt, not Palestinians Created by Egypt, not Palestinians Intended to control Palestinian nationalism, but fuels it instead Intended to control Palestinian nationalism, but fuels it instead Yasir Arafat, a former terrorist, becomes leader Yasir Arafat, a former terrorist, becomes leader

1967: The Six Day War Egyptian forces dug in here. Jordanian forces ready here Syrian forces ready here Israel saw Arab forces massing on its borders Israel saw Arab forces massing on its borders Rather than wait, Israelis launch a pre-emptive strike Rather than wait, Israelis launch a pre-emptive strike Israel surprises the Arab forces and soundly defeats them Israel surprises the Arab forces and soundly defeats them

Israel before and after the 1967 Six-day war.

1973: The Yom Kippur War Israel attacked by Egypt and Syria. Israel attacked by Egypt and Syria. Not a decisive victory like Not a decisive victory like Armies entangled in a stalemate. Armies entangled in a stalemate. As a result of U.S. support for Israel, OPEC imposed an embargo on the U.S. As a result of U.S. support for Israel, OPEC imposed an embargo on the U.S.

1978: Camp David Accords Menachem Begin and Anwar Sadat meet at Camp David with Jimmy Carter. Menachem Begin and Anwar Sadat meet at Camp David with Jimmy Carter. Israel agrees to withdraw from the Sinai Peninsula in exchange for peace and future negotiation over the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Israel agrees to withdraw from the Sinai Peninsula in exchange for peace and future negotiation over the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Sadat Begin Carter

Sinai Peninsula returned to Egypt as a result of the Camp David Peace Accords.

1987: The Intifada “Shaking off” Spontaneous: sparked by a traffic accident. Spontaneous: sparked by a traffic accident. Radicalized people who had previously been silent. Radicalized people who had previously been silent. Generational shift in the fighting. Generational shift in the fighting. –Youths often fighting Israeli forces with rocks 1,119 Palestinians killed. 1,119 Palestinians killed. 15,320 detentions without charge. 15,320 detentions without charge. 87,726 acres of land confiscated. 87,726 acres of land confiscated.

1993: Oslo Peace Accords Secret peace talks between the PLO and Israel in Norway. Secret peace talks between the PLO and Israel in Norway. Marks a change in Israeli attitude towards Yasser Arafat and the PLO. Marks a change in Israeli attitude towards Yasser Arafat and the PLO. Creates the Palestinian National Authority Creates the Palestinian National Authority

2000: Second Intifada Camp David Peace Talks fail Camp David Peace Talks fail Armed factions attack Israeli civilian centers Armed factions attack Israeli civilian centers –Suicide bombers West Bank Security Fence constructed West Bank Security Fence constructed Erodes Israeli support for moderate peace measures Erodes Israeli support for moderate peace measures

2004: Yasser Arafat dies Signals a changing of the “old guard” within the PLO. Signals a changing of the “old guard” within the PLO. Israelis see the PLO as more legitimate now with Arafat gone. Israelis see the PLO as more legitimate now with Arafat gone. “Official” end of second Intifada shortly follows “Official” end of second Intifada shortly follows

2005: Israeli Disengagement Many hardliners realize that settlement is impossible Many hardliners realize that settlement is impossible Israel pulls out of Gaza & turns it over to the Palestinian Authority Israel pulls out of Gaza & turns it over to the Palestinian Authority Signals a change from the “not one inch” days of Begin Signals a change from the “not one inch” days of Begin Israeli public opinion split over the issue Israeli public opinion split over the issue Some Jewish settlers must be forcibly removed Some Jewish settlers must be forcibly removed

2006: Hamas wins election Opposed to peace with Israel; supported by Iran Opposed to peace with Israel; supported by Iran Intensification of rocket fire from Gaza into Israel Intensification of rocket fire from Gaza into Israel Israel responds by blockading Gaza Israel responds by blockading Gaza Palestinians smuggle arms & supplies into Gaza Palestinians smuggle arms & supplies into Gaza Leads to autonomous rule in the West Bank & Gaza Leads to autonomous rule in the West Bank & Gaza

2011: Palestine Recognition? Palestine Authority moves a resolution in the UN for recognition of Palestine statehood Palestine Authority moves a resolution in the UN for recognition of Palestine statehood As of December 2011, 128 of the 193 member states of the UN have recognized the State of Palestine. As of December 2011, 128 of the 193 member states of the UN have recognized the State of Palestine.