Conflicts in the Middle East

Answers 2= Syria 3= Lebanon 4= Israel 5= Jordan 6= Iraq 7= Saudi Arabia 14= Iran 19= Afghanistan

Close up of Israel

Palestine vs. Israel What is a Jew?  Scattered group of people who trace their descent from the Biblical Hebrews.  Believe the land of current day Israel was given to them by God Who is a Palestinian?  Muslims and Christians who believe in a separate Arab homeland Who is an Arab?  “A member of a Semitic people inhabiting Arabia, whose language and Islamic religion spread widely throughout the Middle East and northern Africa from the seventh century.”

Formation of Israel During World War II England occupied Iraq, Egypt, and Palestine Jews were seeking refuge  : Waves of Jewish Immigration to Palestine  : Enormous influx of immigration due to Nazi persecution in Europe  1937: Recommendation to Partition Palestine (Arab and Jewish states)

Arguments over Land Zionists  Jews had historical right to the Holy Land  Promised a state by the Balfour Declaration  Jewish colonization was a “democratic and progressive” influence Palestinians  Had been a country for over 1,000 years  Balfour Declaration didn’t mean anything because they had not been included in its formulation  Zionists represented more European Imperialism

Israel just prior to statehood Palestine became British mandate Jewish population granted rights and privileges  Allowed individual flag  Hebrew made the official language  Jews in service to British were paid more than Arabs  Zionist community allowed to arm; Arabs prohibited Zionist created communal farms (kibbutzim) British withdrew from Palestine creating a Civil War between the Jews and the Palestinians

Israel declares statehood: May 1948 Created refugee problem  Thousands of Palestinians fled or were driven from their homes 1956: Israel entered into the fight to control the Suez Canal; Pressured by the U.S., U.S.S.R., and the U.N. to give back occupied territories and allow Egypt control of the Canal

Camp David Accords Before the meeting:  Sadat went to Israeli parliament to offer peace  Conditions: Have to recognize rights of Palestinians Have to withdraw from territory seized in Egypt, Jordan and Syria

Meeting at Camp David Jimmy Carter, Menachem Begin, and Anwar Sadat Egypt recognized Israel as a legitimate state Israel gave back the Sinai Peninsula 2 years later, Sadat was assassinated by Muslim extremists

Palestinians and Independence Intifada (uprising)  Angry Palestinians turned to Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO)  Civil disobedience: boycotts, demonstrations, attack on Israeli soldiers, rock throwing.

Fatah vs. Hamas Hamas  Palestinian branch of Muslim Brotherhood  Wants to create an Islamic state in Israel, West Bank and Gaza  Gained control in 2006 but is not recognized by Israel  Charter seeks Israel’s destruction  Designated a terrorist group Fatah  Founded by Arafat  Created to promote armed struggle to liberate Palestine from Israeli control  Lost power in 2006 to Hamas  Wants a Palestinian state in Gaza and West Bank