1. Arab/ Israeli Conflict
SS7H2 The student will analyze continuity and change in Southwest Asia (Middle East) leading to the 21st century.
a. Explain how European partitioning in Southwest Asia (Middle East) after the breakup of the Ottoman Empire led to regional conflict.
b. Explain the historical reasons for the establishment of the modern State of Israel in 1948; include the Jewish religious connection to the land, the Holocaust, anti-Semitism, and Zionism in Europe.
c. Describe how land and religion are reasons for continuing conflicts in Southwest Asia (Middle East

2. 1914-1918 The Ottomans - sided with Germany during the first world war.
Britain supported an Arab revolt against the Ottomans, promising self rule.
The British also promised the Jews a homeland in Palestine – the then foreign secretary, Lord Balfour, issuing a declaration in 1917.

3. On May 19, 1916, representatives of Great Britain and France secretly reach an accord, known as the Sykes-Picot agreement, by which most of the Arab lands under the rule of the Ottoman Empire were to be divided into British and French spheres of influence with the conclusion of World War I.
What two countries would gain control over much of the Middle East from the Sykes Picot agreement?
What problems could possibly arise from this proposed division in the Middle East?
How do you think the Arabs would feel about these proposed changes in the Middle East?

4. 1918 After WWI
1918 After the war, the League of Nations granted France and Britain control (‘mandates’) over the former Ottoman territories. France was given Syria, while Britain got a mandate over what became Israel, the West Bank, Gaza and Jordan.

5. 1930 Jewish immigration to Palestine increased just before the second world war due to persecution by the Nazis.
The local Arabs wanted to limit the numbers arriving. There were clashes between the Jewish immigrants and Palestinians supported by neighboring Arab states.
Pictured, Jewish survivors of the Buchenwald Nazi concentration camp, some still in their camp clothing.

6. Britain gave up its mandate and the United Nations took over supervision. The UN suggested two states: one Arab, one Jewish. The Jews accepted; the Arabs rejected the plan. David Ben-Gurion declared the foundation of the state of Israel on 15 May The next day Egypt, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan invaded Israel but were beaten back.

7. 1. What countries were the Jews fleeing during this time period?
2. How do you think the Arabs felt about the new wave of Jewish immigrants?

8. 1964 The Palestinian Liberation Organization was founded
1964 The Palestinian Liberation Organization was founded. Under leadership of Yasser Arafat it would claim to be the sole representative of the Palestinian people. The PLO vowed to reclaim their land and destroy the state of Israel.

9. On 5 June 1967, Israel launched a 'pre-emptive strike' against the Arab troops along its borders. In the six-day war, Israel seized the Sinai from Egypt, the Golan Heights from Syria, the West Bank and the Old City of Jerusalem from Jordan.

10. 1973 On October 6, Syria and Egypt launched a surprise attack on Israeli-held lands to coincide with the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur.
Pictured, Syrian soldiers raise their hands in surrender on the Golan Heights, five days into the Yom Kippur War

11. 1979 The US President Jimmy Carter brought the leaders of Egypt and Israel together at the Camp David Accords. The Sinai Peninsula was to returned to Egypt.
The surrounding Arab countries were not happy and later Anwar Sadat is assassinated.

12. 1993 The Oslo accords were agreed, which provided for mutual recognition between the PLO and the state of Israel, and limited Palestinian self rule in the West Bank and Gaza. Jordan also signed a peace deal with Israel.
Pictured, President Bill Clinton presides over ceremonies marking the signing of the accord with Israeli prime minister Yitzhak Rabin, left, Arafat, right