ARAB- ISRAELI CONFLICT CONTINUES THE MIDDLE EAST IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY

UN’s Plan of Partition 1947 The UN’s proposal was to divide Palestine into two parts: one Arab and the other Jewish. Jews accepted this decision but Palestinians and Arabs did not. In fact, they vowed to do anything necessary to prevent the UN plan from being carried out. Jerusalem would remain international. Why do you think this would be important?

UNITED NATIONS An international organization composed of most of the countries of the world. It was founded in 1945 to promote peace, security, and economic development.

To keep peace throughout the world. To develop friendly relations between nations. To work together to help people live better lives, to eliminate poverty, disease and illiteracy in the world, to stop environmental destruction and to encourage respect for each other's rights and freedoms. To be a center for helping nations achieve these aims.

STATE OF ISRAEL In 1947, the United Nations approved the partition of Palestine into two states, one Jewish and one Arab. On May 14, 1948 the state of Israel declared independence and this was followed by a war with the surrounding Arab states, which refused to accept the UN plan.

ARAB-ISRAELI WARS BEGIN On May 14th, 1948, the State of Israel was established. That same night, with the attack of combined Arab forces (Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Lebanon), the Israeli War for Independence ( first war) began.

The war lasted 8 months and resulted in Jews succeeding in defending their land AND taking the land that the Palestinians had been offered by the UN. The rest of the proposed Palestinian land was divided among Israel’s Arab neighbors. Egypt took the Gaza Strip. Jordan took the area on the West Bank of Jordan River. Thus, the Palestinians were left without any land of their own. 1 st Arab- Israeli War

Neither Arabs or Israelis wanted the Palestinians. They were forced to live in tent cities around the borders. Conditions were horrible, Palestinian attitudes grew more and more bitter, thus, these cities became perfect breeding cities grounds for terrorism. From this displacement grew the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) led by Yassar Arafat. Their goal is the destruction of Israel. What Happens Next????

Israel became an active member of the UN. However, Arab nations still refused to recognize Israel as a valid country. This region suffered through many wars and skirmishes. In 1956, Egypt cut off Israel’s only outlet to the Red Sea. The Israelis attacked, resulting in The Suez War. 2 nd War

6 DAY WAR 1966-Six Day War-Egypt, Syria and Jordan declare war on Israel. Israel wins! The Arabs were unhappy with the outcome of the war and led a terrorist attack at the 1972 Munich Olympic games killing 11 Israeli athletes.

YOM KIPPUR WAR 1973-Yom Kippur War-Egypt and Syria launch a war on a Jewish holiday. However, once again Israel prevailed! Within 2 days, Israel had pushed back both invaders! They had crossed the Suez Canal and gotten within 65 miles of Egypt’s capital, Cairo. And, they had recaptured Golan Heights and gotten within 35 miles of Syrian’s capital. On Oct. 24 th, the 3 countries agreed to a cease-fire (organized by the UN).

THE CONFLICT CONTINUES In 1994, Israeli extremist attacked and killed 29 Palestinians in a Muslim mosque. Palestinian terrorist groups, such as Hamas, have continued with large and small scale suicide bombings aimed at Israeli civilian and military targets. Recent years have still not shown any improvement. Israelis blame Palestinians for violent attacks. Palestinians blame Israel for violent “clampdowns” on their rights, killing of civilians, and assassinations of top leaders.

ISRAEL TODAY Today many countries continue to threaten Israel. Often they are attacked by radical terrorist groups, dedicated to destroying Israel. More than 60 years later, disputes over Israel continue to cause violence in the Middle East.

Note the location of Israeli control and Palestinian control! Dark green – Palestinian authority Light green – Palestine responsible for social and civil services only Yellow – Israeli control Purple – Jewish settlements Orange – Israeli military bases West Bank and Gaza Strip today