1. Arab-Israeli Conflict: Introduction
The conflict between Israel and the Palestinians is one that is:
Extremely dangerous
Long-lasting
Complicated
Animated by religious fervor

2. Israel: Land for Jews
Israel –refers to the modern nation established in 1948
Established as a homeland for the Jews who had faced centuries of discrimination at the hands of others
The majority of the population is Jewish

3. Jerusalem: The Western Wall
Jerusalem, located in Israel, is the site of the holiest site in Judaism, -remains of the earliest Temples.

4. Palestine: Homeland for Palestinians
-Palestinians are the Arabic speaking people that live in Palestine.
-Most Palestinians practice Islam which came to Palestine around 638 AD.
-Jerusalem is one of the most holy cities for Islam because Moslems believe that Muhammad ascended to heaven here

5. Timeline of Events: A short history
1250 BC: Israelites began to conquer and settle the land of Canaan, or modern day Israel
63 BC: The Jewish state, Judea, was incorporated into the Roman province of Palestine. It remains under Roman rule until 638 A.D.
70 AD: Jewish Diaspora- A revolt against Roman rule was put down This marks the beginning of the Jewish Diaspora, or dispersion. Romans force Jews out of Palestine.
AD: The Byzantine Christian Era. Palestine was ruled by the Byzantine Emperors in Byzantium.
650 AD: Conquest by Arab Muslims-Palestine is controlled by Muslims for the next 1,000 years.
Jews living in Europe face persecution by non Jew during the Middle Ages.

6. Timeline of Events: A short history
Early 1800’s- Rise of anti-Semitism-hatred or fear of Jewish people
1897: Zionism-movement to establish a Jewish homeland begins, immigration of Jews to Palestine picks up pace.
1917-Balfour Declaration- British Prime Minister Lord Balfour declares a need for Jewish homeland.
: British Mandate period. Britain administered the area and promised a homeland to both Jews and Palestinians
1939- Nazi Holocaust results in the death of over 6 million European Jews.
: United Nations controlled
1948: Israel is given its independence. Arab nations attack. At the end of the war, territory that would have gone to Palestinians is claimed by Egypt and Jordan.

7. David Ben Gurion
Prime Minister of Israel , and
Zionist but not an extremist.
Refused terrorism as a political tool.
Urged Jews to form military self- defence force

8. David Ben-Gurion declares Israel’s Independence May 14, 1948
Israel was quickly recognised by the USA and Russia. They were powerful, and rich, friends.

9. Israel 1948 at Independence
Jewish Territory
Arab Territory

10. 1948-9 Israeli War of Independence.
Arab League countries declared war on the new Israel immediately. Egypt, Iraq, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon all planned invasions.
The idea was to crush Israel before it could become established.

11. Results of the war. Israel soundly defeats Arab forces
Israel signed armistice agreements with all the Arab states.
Egypt gains Gaza Strip, Jordan gains West Bank.
Israel expands by another 25%!
Palestinian Refugees forced to fee Israel,
Thousands of Jews forced out of surrounding Arab nations

12. Israel
‘West Bank’-Jordanian
Gaza Strip-Egyptian

13. Rise of the PLO-1964
Arabs created the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) to regain land
Led by Yasser Arafat (died 2004)
Guerrilla tactics
Terrorism

14. 1967 War: The Six Day War
Fearing attack by Egypt, Syria, Iraq and Jordan, Israel launched a preemptive strike
Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Sinai Peninsula and the Golan Heights.

15. 1973 Yom Kippur War
Iraq, Egypt, Syria, and Jordan attacked Israel to regain lands lost in the 6 day war.
The Arab nations were initially successful as the Israelis were celebrating Yom Kippur and had not anticipated an attack.
After several weeks, Israel recovered its occupied lands and a cease fire was reached.
Both Arabs and Jews gained confidence as a result of the war

16. 1978 Camp David Accords
The first peace treaty between Israel and an Arab State-Egypt
This historic agreement led to Israel returning the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt in return for diplomatic relations
Egyptian leader Anwar Sadat was assassinated in 1981 by the Egyptian Islamic Jihad organization.

17. First Intifadah,
Palestinians began the Intifada – “the shaking”
Frustrated with lack of progress with the establishment of a homeland for them they begin terrorist attacks against Israeli citizens

18. Oslo Accords-1993 Yassir Arafat (PLO) & Yitzhak Rabin (Israel)
gave Palestinians self rule in the Gaza Strip & the West Bank
PLO agreed to stop opposing Israeli settlements and using terrorist methods

19. Road Map to Peace
2003 – goal was a permanent settlement between the Arabs & Israelis by 2005

20. The Remaining Issues
The right of Israel to exist as a nation on land previously occupied by Muslims
Palestinian Refugees the establishment of a homeland for them and the right of return
The building of settlements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip
Status of Jerusalem
Terrorism
Israeli occupation of the Golan Heights and the West Bank.
Water rights
Defensible and safe borders for Israel and Palestine
Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails
International and Arab recognition of Israel and normalized relations