CONFLICT IN THE MIDDLE EAST

The region has been the focus of geopolitic since WWII Often called the “Shatterbelt”  opposing cultural, religious, political and economic forces Muslims (sunni, shiite), Jews, Christians, Kurds…. Much of the region is desert or mountain

All countries have access to a coastline but freshwater is a major issue Water shortage = food shortage ~80% of food is imported Most rivers are shared

It’s the “Cradle of Civilization” Three of the world’s major religions began here – Islam, Judaism, Christianity The nexus of 3 continents Oil and Natural Gas

RECENT CONFLICTS: Israel – Palestine Lebanon Civil War Iran – Iraq War Persian Gulf War Iraq War Israel – Lebanon 2006 Syrian Civil War ISIS

ISRAELI – PALESTINIAN CONFLICT This is the BIG one! The roots go back centuries Land has been ruled by: Jews Egyptians Assyrians Babylonians Persians Romans Crusaders Turks (Ottoman Empire)

ISRAEL – PALESTINE: BRIEF HISTORY 1920 – Palestine was under British rule - Jewish settlers began moving to region from Europe - land is considered the Jewish Homeland 1930 – Rise of Nazi Germany, more Jews move to Palestine 1940 – Jews in Palestine - After the Holocaust came to light, Zionism grew and more Jews Migrated - British couldn’t keep the peace and looked to UN for help

1947 – UN voted to partition the land was Palestine into a Jewish and Arab state -State of Israel was created in ~ Palestinians forced to leave homes and land -Arab leaders rejected to the plan and war started (Egypt, Jordan, Labanon, Syria and Iraq invovled) -Israel won

1967 – The Six Day War Israel captured the “Occupied Territories” The West Bank, East Jerusalem, Gaza Strip and Sinai Peninsula from Egypt and Golan Heights from Syria

1973 – Another War The UN passed a resolution calling for Israel to withdraw from all land gained in the war They have not withdrawn from much of the land, including the West Bank

Israel - Palestine: the crash course

THE MAIN ISSUES Borders of the proposed Palestinian State which claim the West Bank and Gaza Strip Under UN law, Israelis and living and building illegally in Palestinian Territory Both side claim Jerusalem (sacred religious site for Jews, Muslims and Christians Palestinians movement restricted in Gaza and West Bank Hamas attacks Israel, Israel attacks Hamas

The West Bank