ARAB ISRAELI CONFLICT PART II

SECOND ARAB ISRAELI WAR In the 1950’s, Britain controlled the Suez Canal – but, in 1956, Nassar (the leader of Egypt at the time), nationalizes (takes control over) the Suez Canal. Nassar (socialist dictator of Egypt) Israel, Britain, and France attacked Egypt (Israel fears shipping lanes will be cut & Britain/France fear loosing control of the vital sea route) Under American-Soviet pressure, the three nations withdraw in 1957

THE SIX DAY WAR In 1967, Israel learns of Syrian and Egyptian invasion plans, so Israel decides to attack first. This war lasted only six days – June 5 – 10 Known to the Arabs as the June War Israel made territorial gains

TERRITORIAL GAINS Gaza Strip (from Egypt) Sinai Peninsula (from Egypt) West Bank (from Jordan) Golan Heights (from Syria) Israeli forces take East Jerusalem (100% of the city now under Israeli control)

WHAT DID THE ISRAELI GOVERNMENT DO WITH THESE “OCCUPIED TERRITORIES” Built settlements for Jews in the West Bank, Gaza, and Sinai Peninsula (this violates international law) West Bank settlements: Israel military control in all areas

MORE CONFLICT IN 1973 Yom Kippur War Syria and Egypt attack Israel They want their land back from the Six Day War U.S. support for Israel & Soviet support of the Arab states leads to heightened concern of a nuclear war Cease fire – supported by the U.S. Soviet Union

PLO Palestine Liberation Organization – formed in 1964 Purpose? Re-acquire land and set up a Palestinian state. Also serves as a voice for the Palestinian people. Yasir Arafat becomes the Chairman in 1968 Methods of the 1960s-80s? – launched guerilla attacks on Israel, bombings, airplane hijackings, and taking hostages Israeli reaction?– reprisals (military strikes against PLO bases in Jordan)

The PLO & Arafat 1960s – 1980s

PLO --- continued Jordan’s reaction – PLO bases were in Jordan so in order to stop the reprisals, Jordan’s King Hussein ousted the PLO from his country New PLO base – In 1970 the PLO sets up bases in Lebanon and launches new raids on Israel To “secure” their northern border, Israel invades Lebanon in 1982 and will occupy southern Lebanon until 2000. The PLO is expelled & sets up headquarters in North Africa

Israeli occupation of Lebanon

INTIFADA In 1987, new Palestinian uprising emerged called the intifada (the shaking) What happened? Palestinians (mostly young) in the West Bank and Gaza Strip attacked Israeli soldiers and citizens (with rocks) and organized strikes against Israeli businesses Israeli government reaction – arrested and imprisoned many Palestinians – deported or forced into exile the Palestinians who were suspected of leading the riots. Israeli soldiers use rubber bullets & tear gas on Palestinian youth. Some Palestinian neighborhoods are bombed.

Intifada:

Settlements & Intifada (late 1980s)

PEACE EFFORTS 1st Breakthrough: 1979 Camp David Accords Israel (led by Prime Minister Begin) signs a peace treaty with Egypt (led by Anwar Sadat). The treaty is brokered by U.S. President Carter (the U.S. promises millions of dollars in aid to impoverished Egypt) Egypt recognizes Israel in return for the Sinai Peninsula Israel agrees to pull out its settlers from Sinai Sadat is assassinated two years later by Egyptian Islamic extremists Egypt is the 1st Arab state to recognize Israel

Camp David Accord – 1978/1979

TENSIONS REMAIN IN THE 1980s PLO and Hamas terrorism continues. Hamas is an extremist Muslim Palestinian organization wanting to destroy Israel & create an Islamic state). There is little hope for peace Other nations condemned Egypt’s action in making peace with Israel The PLO considers negotiating with Israel in what is known as “land for peace.” Israel returns land to the Palestinians in return for peace.

PLO considers negotiation, but Hamas is on the rise

1990-1991 Gulf War Iraq fired missiles at Israel (but did not fire back due to U.S. insistence). The U.S. protected Israel. If Israel fired back, it would have fractured the U.S.-led coalition against Iraq (which was made up of some Arab nations)

OSLO ACCORDS 1993-94 breakthrough: Israel (led by Yitzhak Rabin) and PLO chairman Yasir Arafat sign a historic peace accord. The PLO agrees to recognize Israel’s right to exist; in exchange, Israel grants Palestinian self-rule in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank town of Jericho

Oslo Accord - continued Areas in black – full Palestinian control Orange – joint Israeli-Palestinian control White – Under full Israeli control Local govt. was now under the control of the Palestinian Authority

Gulf War and Oslo Accords

JORDAN RECOGNIZES ISRAEL In 1994, the King Hussein of Jordan decides to sign a treaty with Israel. Trade and diplomatic ties begin. Jordan is the 2nd Arab state to recognize Israel

The Price of Peace

The next country to recognize Israel? Most likely Syria, but Israeli control of the Golan Heights (part of Syria before the Six Day War) is a tension issue. Why doesn’t Israel give up the Golan Heights for peace with Syria? The Golan Heights is on high ground overlooking northern Israel and Syria. Israel has installed military bases there and doesn’t want to give up high ground to an enemy.