Modern World Issues The Middle East The Arab-Israeli Conflict

Problems facing the Middle East 1.Arab-Israeli conflict 2.Economic problems – lack of economic opportunity 3.Political problems – oppressive governments and political unrest 4.Religious and ethnic diversity 5.Ideological extremism

The Middle East An historical overview

World History Timeline  Ancient Birthplace of civilization Sumer, etc Birthplace of “Abramic” religions Judaism

World History Timeline  Classical Invaded by the Romans Birthplace of Christianity

World History Timeline  Middle Ages Birth and spread of Islam Crusades (conflict b/w Muslims and Christians) Islamic Civilization contributions to math, science, medicine, astronomy, literature, history, etc. Rise of the Ottoman Empire Ottoman Empire takes Constantinople in 1453

World History Timeline  Muslims (Ottomans, Safavids, etc) dominate trade routes between Asia, India and Europe Europeans look for new ways to access resources

World History Timeline  Industrial Revolution Need for resources  Imperialism Strength of Ottoman Empire prevents Europeans from taking over early on Decline of Ottoman Empire and its defeat in WWI opens European access to area

World History Timeline  Industrial Revolution/Imperialism con’t Discovery of oil leads to increased desire of European countries to have access to Middle East Mandate System introduced after WWI Britain gets: Palestine, Transjordan, other areas France gets: Greater Syria Britain and Russia fight over Iran

The Mandate System

World History Timeline  Cold War US and USSR struggle for ideological influence in the region US involved in unpopular coup in Iran USSR manipulates Egypt US supports Israel Soviet-Afghan War

The Arab-Israeli Conflict

The History of the Arab-Israeli Conflict  Creation of Israel – Britain creates a mandate for Palestine  encourages Jewish settlement 1947 – UN creates the states of Israel and Palestine 1948 War – Palestinians attack Israel Israel wins – expands territory to include much of Palestine Many Palestinians flee their homes and business in anticipation of attack Never been able to return – Palestinian refugees (now number 4 million)

Early Palestinian Refugee Camp

The History of the Arab-Israeli Conflict  The Rise of Palestinian Resistance Groups Yasser Arafat founds Fatah The movement for the national liberation of Palestine PLO emerges as umbrella leadership of multiple Palestinian resistance groups 1972 assassination of 11 Israeli Olympic athletes Achille Lauro cruise ship high-jacking Multiple airplane high-jackings

History of The Arab-Israeli Conflict  6 Day War (1967) – To pre-empt an attack by Egypt (Egypt was being manipulated and lied to by the Soviet Union) Israel attacks them Israel captures Sinai Peninsula, West Bank, Gaza and Golan Heights

The History of the Arab-Israeli Conflict  1973 – October War Yom Kippur Egypt and Syria attack aided by other Arab nations Israel defends Aided by US intelligence UN negotiated cease fire agreement

The History of the Arab-Israeli Conflict  Arab Oil Embargo Response to Yom Kippur War OPEC limits oil production, raises prices Leads to gas shortages, high gas prices and long gas lines in the US

The Arab-Israeli Conflict  Camp David Accords  Carter negotiates a peace deal between Egypt (Sadat) and Israel (Begin)  Egypt recognizes Israel and agrees not to invade Israel gives Sinai Peninsula back  Egypt gets US Aid (roughly $2b per year ever since)

Sadat, Carter and Begin

The History of the Arab-Israeli Conflict  PLO had used bases in Southern Lebanon from which to attack Israel  1982 Israel invades  Eliminates PLO and withdraws  Long conflict leads to emergence of Hezbollah Anti-Israel terrorist group US charges that Iran and Syria fund and arm Hezbollah

The History of the Arab-Israeli Conflict  : The first Intifada Popular resistance movement among Palestinians to “shake off” Israeli rule in the Israeli occupied territories of Gaza and the West Bank HAMAS founded by former members of the Muslim Brotherhood Political party/social welfare agency/militant group devoted to Palestinian statehood US charges that HAMAS is supported with funding and weaponry by Syria and Iran

The History of the Arab-Israeli Conflict  1994 – Oslo Accords Secret meeting between leaders of the PLO and the Israeli government Peace talks lead to plans for Israeli withdrawal from West Bank and Gaza Palestinian Authority created to rule West Bank Arafat is leader till his death in 2004

Arafat, Peres, and Rabin

The History of the Arab-Israeli Conflict  Since PA has been working to govern the W. Bank Israel continues building in Israeli-controlled territory w/in the W. Bank  Israel completed its withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in 2005 Palestinians in Gaza elected HAMAS members to their government who refused to recognize Israel Israeli blockaded Gaza HAMAS regularly launches missiles into Israeli territory

Barriers to peace  Many nations in the Middle East refuse to recognize Israel’s right to exist  Palestinian Authority has a tough time controlling extremist groups  Israel continues to build settlements in the West Bank  HAMAS and Hezbollah continue to receive funding and arms to antagonize Israel