1. Conflict in the Middle East
What is the cause of the ongoing problems in Israel & Palestine?

2. Establishment of Israel
1947: UN approves a plan to divide Palestine into two nations
Palestine = Arab State Israel = Jewish State.
Jerusalem controlled by UN
Palestinians & other Arab states object
May 1948: Israel declares statehood and takes their territory
Six Arab nations declare war on Israel
Israel wins Arab-Israeli War, takes most Palestinian land, Egypt/Jordan take rest
Palestinian people begin fleeing Israel

3. Israel & the Cold War – Suez Canal Crisis
1954: Gamel Abdel Nasser controls Egypt
1956: Nasser seizes British-controlled Suez Canal
Britain, France, Israel take back the canal & then occupy parts of Egypt – Nasser turns to the UN
Soviets say this is an example of western imperialism, Nasser seeks alliance with USSR
UN Security Council gives Egypt canal & land back (US abstains)