2. Arab Israeli Conflict 1948-2014

3. The Kingdom of David and Solomon (1000 B.C.E.) History of Conflict Argument is that this land belonged to the Jewish people in Biblical times…before the Diaspora Jews began returning to this region in the late 19 th Century ”Zionism”

4. Existence of Israel  The Jewish people believe this land is their birth right  Jewish opponents of Arab claims to the region say the Arab tribes have done little to improve the Holy Land during their occupation  1917 – Balfour Declaration: Britain allowed a Jewish Homeland  Zionist resettlement – implication of increased Jewish migration and access to this land.

5. Existence of Palestine  The land had been abandoned by the Jewish people.  Arabs had controlled land since fall of Roman Empire  Fall of Ottoman Empire led to Palestinian nationalist to call for independent homeland.  Continued settlement of Jewish people in Palestinian areas creates a situation where a Palestinian state cannot become a reality.

6. 1 st Arab Israeli War  Background of war comes from British and UN promises to set up Jewish homeland in Palestine  Partition set to go into effect on May 14, 1948  Arabs refuse to agree to plan

7. League of Nations Mandate for Palestine (1920) British Alteration to the Mandate (1923)

8. UN Resolution 181  This was the original plan for Arab-Israeli partitions  Jerusalem was to be a UN controlled “open city”

9. The 1948 War  May 15, 1948  Arabs: Egypt, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq  Arab states outnumber Israelis, but lack coordination  All have designs on adding territory to their nations

10. 1948 War con’t  Fighting continued until Jan., 1949  Israel got all Palestine except West Bank (Jordan) and Gaza (Egypt)  Cease fire agreements drawn up between Israel and all Arab nations involved  No actual peace treaties signed

11. 1956 Suez Crisis  Early 1950’s, Egypt begins blocking Israeli ships from passing through the Suez Canal  1956- Egyptian president Gamal Abdel Nasser nationalizes Suez Canal  France, Britain and Israel launch military attacks on Egypt.

12. 1956 Suez Crisis  France and Britain gain control of Suez Canal  Israel conquers Sinai Peninsula and Gaza Strip  UN negotiates cease fire, takes control of Suez Canal  US pressures Israel to withdraw from Sinai and Gaza

13. Gamal Nasser  Egyptian president during Suez crisis

14. Six-Day War  June 5-10, 1967  Israel attacked Egypt and Syria in a pre-emptive strike  By June 10, Israel had control of Sinai Peninsula, Gaza Strip and Golan Heights and West Bank  Although Israel appealed to Jordan to stay neutral, Jordan attacked Israel and lost West Bank

15. Six-Day War gains

16. Background of Yom Kippur War  After 6 Day War, Arab nations meet in Khartoum, Sudan  Khartoum Resolution: 3 No’s (no peace, no negotiation, no recognition of Israel)  Egypt begins random shelling and raids of Israeli positions in Sinai between 1968- 1970.

17. Yom Kippur War  Anwar al-Sadat, President of Egypt  Assumes power after Nasser dies Sept. 1970.  Stops shelling and raids in Sinai  Begins planning attacks that will start Yom Kippur War

18. Yom Kippur War  Sadat tries to gain military co-operation from the Arab world. Only Syria’s Pres. Assad commits  Soviet Union supplying Syria with weapons and advisors, Egypt with weapons  U.S. continues to back Israel.  Sadat’s continual threats against Israel ignored: he does this too often.

19. Yom Kippur War  Israel warned of reality of Sadat’s war threats from multiple sources (including former enemy King Hussein of Jordan)  Ignored warnings  Egypt and Syria launch joint attack in the morning hours of Oct 6, 1973

20. Yom Kippur War  Egypt/Syria initially make huge gains  By Oct. 14, Israel counterattacks and reverses gains made by Syria/Egypt.  Efforts by Soviets and U.S. to resupply their allies almost leads to war between the U.S. and U.S.S.R.  By Oct. 25, cease fire negotiated. Israel reversed losses and made new gains

22. War’s Aftermath  Israel agrees to withdraw from Egypt and Syria (only 63 and 41 miles from respective capitals)  Israel agrees to pull back to Sinai and Golan Heights regions  POW’s exchanged

23. War’s Long-term Effects  Other Arab nations (OPEC) issue oil embargo against U.S. during war  Oils/gas prices jump by 300% in US: gas rationing  Fuel efficiency standards mandated for cars  Alternative fuel sources sought  Energy conservation programs begin

24. UN Res. 242  Arab states agree to Israel’s right to “live within secure and recognized borders free from threats or acts of force”.  Called for Israel to withdraw from territories conquered in 1967 war.  Used as basis for all Arab-Israeli negotiations

25. War’s Long-term Effects  Egyptian Pres. Sadat realizes he can’t afford more conflict with Israel  By 1977, Sadat says he’s ready to talk peace with Israel  Sept. 1978, Camp David Peace talks begin.  1979: Egypt become 1 st Arab nation to sign a peace treaty with Israel.  Costs Sadat his life: assassinated in 1981

26. Recent Peace Plans  Oslo (1993): Set the framework for modern requirements for Palestinian state  Won Israeli PM Yitzhak Rabin and PLO leader Yasser Arafat Nobel Peace Prize  Lead to assassination of Rabin in 1995

27. Conflict Today  Peace process begins in earnest in 1993 at Oslo  Big disagreement over West Bank settlements and Jerusalem  Palestinian leadership split between Fatah (West Bank) and Hamas (Gaza Strip)  Current leadership: Israel: Benjamin Netanyahu, Palestine : Mahmoud Abbas

28. Current Peace Process  Problem (Palestinian): Conflict cause by creation of Israel  Moderate approach: Two-state system. Recognize Israel’s right to exist in exchange for Gaza Strip and West Bank  Extremists view: Destroy Israel to regain Palestinian lands

29. Current Peace Process  Problem (Israeli): Began in 1948 or 1967 (Six Day War)  Moderates: Give up some control of occupied territories (W. Bank, Gaza Strip, Golan Heights) in return for end to violence.  Extremists: No territory given up, or at most, Gaza Strip. Israel maintains sovereignty over all areas it occupies currently

30. Current Peace Process  U.S. viewpoint: Israel should give up some of land conquered in 6 Day War.  Palestinians must “actively” prevent violence against Israel  Palestinians acknowledge Israel’s right to exist  From Clinton through Obama, U.S. presidents hold view of Palestinian state out of current Palestinian territories

31. So what’s holding it up?  Borders/division of land  Status of Jerusalem  Israeli security concerns  Palestinian concerns about West Bank settlements  Right of return (Palestinians)  Years of longstanding negative emotions

32. Recent Peace Plans  Camp David Summit (2000): offered all of Gaza and 90% of West Bank as Palestinian state, but Israel keeps control of Jerusalem  Rejected by Arafat  “Road Map for Peace” (2002): Put together by U.S., EU, UN and Russia  Palestinians stop attacks on Israelis, Israel dismantle settlements in West Bank/Gaza  So far, only Israeli pull out of Gaza (2005), but are increasing military presence in the area again

33. Situation in the West Bank

34. Recent Peace Plans  2010 direct talks: Champions two-state idea.  Rejected by one of two main Palestinian groups, Hamas, which controls Gaza Strip. Supported by Hezbollah.  Israel refuses any agreement until Hamas and Hezbollah recognize Israel’s right to exist  2012: last communication between Abbas and Netanyahu: Israel must stop settlements in West Bank to restart peace process