1. Israeli/Palestinian Conflict- Timeline

2. Israeli/Palestinian Map Activity
Use the maps on your table to answer the following questions with your groups.
List 3 important things you notice about the map.
How does the map change from the previous map you examined? (Be specific)
How does the changes on the map impact the people living in the region?
What information can you infer about the conflict in this region from the map?
Why is religion a major factor in the changes you observe on the maps?
Predict how you think the people living in the region will respond to the changes.

3. What information can you infer about the conflict in this region from the map?

4. 1250 B.C.
The Israelites (Jews or Hebrews) settle in Canaan (part of modern day Israel) after having fled slavery by the Egyptians.

5. 1000 B.C.
The Philistines (people living in modern day Gaza) battle the Israelites for control over Canaan. King David conquers the Philistine armies and makes Jerusalem the capital of the kingdom of Israel.

6. 135 A.D.
Roman Emperor Hadrian expels the Jews out of Jerusalem and renamed the area Palaestina after the Philistines. Israel became known as Palestine.
Most Jews fled Israel and settled in areas in Eastern Europe. Called the Diaspora. By this time Christianity had begun and was spreading in the Middle East and into Europe.
Roman Empire

7. 600 A.D.
The prophet Muhammad establishes the religion of Islam. Muslim armies move down from Arabia and conquer most of the Middle East including Palestine. The area becomes mostly Arab and Muslim.

8.
The region is controlled by the Muslim Ottoman Empire until it crumbles after WWI.
The region then become as British mandate.
Israel

9. 1917
Balfour Declaration-
Foreign Secretary Arthur James Balfour writes a letter to Britain’s most illustrious Jewish citizen, Baron Lionel Walter Rothschild, expressing the British government’s support for a Jewish homeland in the British mandate of Palestine.

10. 1930’s
Persecution by Nazi Germany drives many Jews to move to Palestine. This Zionist movement called for Jews to return to their homeland. Palestinians resist the return of Jews to the region.

11. 1940’s
British forces continue to occupy the area and try to keep peace between Arab Palestinians and Jewish Israelis. Pressure rises for an Israeli state to be established and it goes before the United Nations for discussion.

12. 1947
The United Nations created a plan to divide Palestine into two nations- one for the Jews, and one for the Arabs. This plan was rejected by Arab Palestinians.

13. 1948
May 14, Israel is declared an independent country. Nearby Arab countries (Syria, Iraq, Joran, Egypt, and Lebanon) attack in response and war breaks out.

14. 1949
Israel wins the war and holds territory beyond the former UN established borders. 750,000 Arab Palestinians are displaced and flee to the West Bank (Controlled by Jordan) and the Gaza Strip (controlled by Egypt)and as refugees.

15. Jerusalem Divided
Jews, Christians, Muslims, and Armenians all share the holy city of Jerusalem. Muslims built the Dome of the Rock and Al Aqsa Mosque on the site where the ancient Jewish Temple had been.

16. 1964
Palestinian Arabs organize the PLO (Palestinian Liberation Organization). The PLO uses guerrilla warfare to try to overthrow Israel.

17. 1967
The Six-Day War (June 5-10) took place between Israel and the neighboring Arab states of Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. At the war's end, Israel had gained control of the Sinai Peninsula, the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights. Israel then built settlements in Gaza and the West Bank.

18. 1968
The PLO claims Palestine as an independent nation with the Palestinian National Charter. They claim Gaza and the West Bank, with East Jerusalem as the capital. They now have recognition as a state by 135 members of the UN; however, the land is still occupied by Israel.

19.
The first Intifada (meaning “shaking off”) takes place. The Palestinian uprising included violent attacks, suicide bombings, civil disobedience, and stone throwing. Violence was directed at both Israeli military forces and civilians. Israel responded with military force.

20. 1993
The Oslo Accords- Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and PLO leader Yasser Arafat agreed to recognize Palestinian autonomy in the West Bank and Gaza Strip by beginning to withdraw from the cities of Gaza and Jericho -- essentially exchanging land for peace. The Palestinians in turn recognized Israel's right to exist while also renouncing the use of terrorism and its long-held call for Israel's destruction. This plan failed as Israel continues to occupy the West Bank and the terror attacks against Israel have not ceased.

21. September 2000
A second Intifada erupted in the area causing Israel to tighten up security and place more restrictions on Palestinians living in the West Bank.
The PLO insisted the Israeli military responded with excessive violence.
Israeli military reported most Palestinian deaths were actually a result of PLO violence that was blamed on Israeli military to incite further rioting.

22. Leading the Fight…
Hamas: A paramilitary force fighting Israeli occupation in Gaza. They gain control of Gaza, but are blockaded by Israel
Hezbollah: A paramilitary group from Lebanon working against Israeli presence in the region. They are accused by some of using excessive violence and terrorism in their methods but praised by others because they also run hospitals, built schools, and provide social services to refugees in the West Bank.

23. Recently…
Many Palestinians and Israelis feel both nations could exist together and share the land. However there are many remaining issues that need to be addressed by both groups:
Mutual recognition
Placement of borders
Security
Water rights
Control of Jerusalem
Land rights
Legalities concerning refugees

24. The Israel-Palestine Conflict Briefly Explained