The Arab-Israeli Conflict An Introduction
Objectives 1. Locate important places in and around Israel/Palestine. 2. Explain how geography lies at the core of the Arab-Israeli conflict. 3. Discuss the religious significance of Jerusalem.
What is the Arab-Israeli conflict? 1 land, 2 peoples
1 land Israel/Palestine = disputed land, both Israelis & Palestinians claim it land has changed hands: before 1948 – Palestine (under the control of various imperial powers) 1948 – Israel created
2 peoples Palestinians religion: Muslim (90%) & Christian (10%) language: Arabic supported by Arab countries Israelis religion: mainly Jewish language: Hebrew supported by US and Britain
Why do Palestinians and Israelis both claim the same land? land is connected to birth of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam Jerusalem both Palestinians and Israelis claim it as their capital because it contains important holy sites: 1. Temple Mount / Haram al Sharif (Judaism & Islam) a.Dome of the Rock b.Al-Aqsa Mosque c.Wailing Wall 2. Church of the Holy Sepulchre (Christianity) divided into quarters: Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Armenian
Temple Mount
Dome of the Rock
Western or Wailing Wall
Al Aqsa Mosque
Church of the Holy Sepulchre