(I think)

So what’s going to happen after WWII in Palestine? The decision is turned over to the United Nations The United Nations (U.N.) is an international group to keep peace in the world Almost all of the world’s countries are in the U.N. The U.N.’s decision is to partition Palestine This means the U.N. will give part to the Palestinians and part to the Israelis There is widespread support in the international community for a partition in 1947 (remember, the world is coming out of WWII and is done with fighting) The vote for the partition in 1948 leads to war

The problem with the Palestinians taking up arms is that the Zionists had more men and guns That’s a bad combination for the Palestinians The Israelis win and, as previously talked about, gain the majority of Palestine, with the rest going to Jordan Three major issues emerge going forward for the Israelis: The right to Jerusalem Israeli settlements in the West Bank and Gaza The right of return of Palestinian refugees …and that’s major because 3 million Palestinians consider themselves to be refugees…

Things were cautious in Israel for the next 20 years, but problems boiled over into war in 1967 Factors leading to the 6 Day War in Cold War Dynamics Every issue in the world from (or 1993 depending on who you read) was focused under the battle for world control between the U.S. and Russia Both groups are seeking allies U.S. allies in the Middle East included Jordan, Israel, and Saudi Arabia (2 Arab countries and Israel) Israel is significant because they are getting stronger militarily Oil becomes a major issue also

Factors leading to the 6 Day War in Inter-Arab State Rivalries Gamal Abdel Nasser led Egypt into becoming a leader of the Arab World (over Syria and Iraq) Remember, his goal within his country was to rid Egypt of foreign domination As an international leader, Nasser drove Arab thought 3. Israel: Consolidation and Expansion Israel is surrounded by countries that hate them Since 1948, the Israeli borders had been attacked by low-level Palestinian guerrilla forces (hit-and-run tactics) Israel also would be willing to use a disproportionate military response to Palestinian attacks…what does this mean?

3. Israel: Consolidation and Expansion Example: a liberal Arab group named Hizballah launched a low level attack on Israel  no deaths Israel responded by taking out an electrical grid in Beirut, Lebanon Beirut was left without power and the ability to purify their water for weeks As we said last week, the major issues aren’t going away…

In 1967, Israel and Arab troops engaged in the 6 Day War…it lasted 6 days Israel blitzed the Palestinians and won immediately The effect of the war led to new Palestinian refugees and an increased stress of solving the refugee issue Israel began to occupy (illegally?) the West Bank, East Jerusalem (part of Jordan) and Gaza (part of Egypt), the Golan Heights (part of Syria) and Sinai (part of Egypt) Many Zionists viewed this as Holy justice It also led to upheaval in Iraq, Syria, and Egypt (as we’ll learn more about in those country studies) As the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) transfers leaders from Nasser to Yasir Arafat (due to Nasser’s failing health), the PLO begins to become more aggressive in trying to regain their holy land King Husayn of Jordan has always taken a moderate stand in Israel Palestinians are a problem in Jordan because they are a threat to Husayn War erupts between Jordan and the PLO  Jordan wins handily The PLO’s influence is diminished for awhile

Anwar Sadat ruled Egypt after the death of Nasser Sadat inherits the hostility of Israel and enormous debt from their Cold War alliance with the Soviets Sadat is genuinely concerned with the future of Egypt so he begins to build ties with the U.S. He wants to open the economy to outside investment He wants to sever his relationship with the Soviets However, Sadat is frustrated with the lack of reception from the U.S. at its ouster of the Soviets from Egypt—why? The Olympics are going on and the U.S. is aligned with Israel So what do all smart countries due when they’re frustrated? Go to war, of course!

War with Israel lasted from October 6-22, 1973 Syrians and Egyptians are the 2 major players in the war and have early gains but are ultimately overtaken Sadat’s “War as diplomacy” is because of his frustrations over the lack of interest in the Middle East by the world superpowers (especially the U.S.) The superpowers get involved in negotiations after Israel’s victory Due to U.S. reaction to the war, OPEC (the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries—generally these are your Arab countries) places an embargo on the U.S. This means they won’t sell the U.S. any oil The embargo lasts for just over a year

Policies of Israel: 1. The Occupied Territories (the West Bank, East Jerusalem, Gaza, the Golan Heights, and Sinai (part of Egypt) were considered a temporary occupation Israel claimed once the Arabs have shown a willingness towards full peace with Israel, they’ll give the land back The minority opinion in Israel was keep the land forever 2. Rule over the Occupied Territories was colonial Very harsh response to all guerrilla activity Collective punishment was the usual response Ex: if someone from the village is responsible, attack the whole village

3. Settlements Policy Israelis build small, permanent communities in West Bank and Gaza 1. Military posts along the Syrian or Egyptian borders 2. “Bedroom” settlements and communities Inhabited by younger Israeli families that want cheaper land than in mainland Israel 3. Religious settlements People committed to settling in the Occupied Territories because it’s the Jews’ land and they have every right to be there