Chapter 18 – Colonies Become New Nations Section 4 – Conflicts in the Middle East Main Idea : Division of Palestine after WWII made the Middle East a hotbed of competing nationalist movements Why it Matters Now : The conflict in the Middle East threatens the stability of the world today

Israel Becomes a State Both Jews and Palestinians make historic claims to Palestine – Jews exiled from land in 2 nd century Begin settlement movement in Palestine to create a state, known as Zionist Movement: People who favor a Jewish national homeland in Palestine U.N. votes for formation of Jewish, Palestinian states in 1947 Palestinians and nearby Arab nations reject creation of Israel

War Breaks Out Arab neighbors attack Israel the day after it becomes a new nation Israel repels the attack, seizes additional territory

1956 Suez Crisis Arab-Israel tensions erupt into war again in 1956 Starts when Egypt takes control of British- held Suez Canal Israeli troops seize back the canal with British & French support International pressure prompts Israel to return canal to Egyptians

Arab-Israel Wars Continue Israel defeats Arab countries in Six-Day War of 1967 – Gain key lands: Jerusalem, Sinai Peninsula, Golan Heights, West Bank Egyptian leader Anwar Sadat launches Arab attack on Israel in 1973 Israel leader Golda Meir orders counterattack – Israel recovers most territory and the war ends in a truce

Palestinian Liberation Organization Many Palestinians living under Israeli rule want their own state – Form Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and are led by Yasir Arafat

Efforts at Peace Sadat moves for peace – Egypt and Israel sign peace agreement, Camp David Accords, in 1979 – Egypt recognizes state of Israel; Israel returns Sinai region to Egypt Arab nations upset with Egypt and extremists assassinate Sadat

Israeli-Palestinian Tensions increase – PLO continue to fight for own state, while Palestinians launch intifada (uprising) against Israeli rule in 1987 » Campaign includes boycotts, demonstrations, and attacks on the army Oslo Peace Accords Secret talks in 1993 Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin calls for Palestinian self- rule – To begin in West Bank town of Jericho – Rabin is assassinated by Jewish opponent of Palestinian self-rule – Peace plan stalls

Peace Slips Away Conflict intensifies with failed peace and Israel-Palestinian hostility grows Second intifada arises in 2000 with mass suicide bombings Israel responds with greater armed force and stops deals with Arafat

Working Towards a Solution Palestinians elect Prime Minister to negotiate with Israel in 2003 Mahmoud Abbas PLO and Israel leaders agree to explore new U.S.- backed peace plan