Arab-Israeli Conflict Part III Recent Developments Since 2000

The “New Intifada” 2000 - 2005 From 2000 to 2005, a new Palestinian intifada erupted. The new uprising was more deadly than the one in the 1980s. Palestinian extremists turned to suicide bombings aimed at the general Israeli population. 1,000 Israelis were killed in terror strikes (and nearly 3,500 Palestinians were killed in reprisals).

Who was generally behind these attacks? Hamas – the Palestinian organization whose goal is the destruction of Israel and the establishment of an Islamic state of Palestine

Suicide bombings of the 2000s

Why did these attacks hurt Arafat (who died in 2004) and Mahmoud Abbas – the new leader of the Palestinian Authority (Palestine’s “government”)? It made it look like all Palestinians (& the Palestinian Authority) were behind the violence. That was not the case --- but Israel refused to negotiate.

Questions? Could Arafat & Abbas (i.e. the Palestinian Authority) control Hamas? Arafat & Abbas said they were trying (but can’t control extremist Hamas) Israel said they weren’t trying hard enough.

Since 2000, tensions have been high. Reasons why include: Palestinian frustration over the lack of progress 2001 election of Ariel Sharon as Israeli Prime Minister.

Why was his election seen as a negative event by the Palestinians? conservative politician from the right-wing Likud Party (very pro-settlements). former general in Israeli army reputation as a “non-negotiator” (hard-liner)

Late 1990s/early 2000s

Sharon’s “turn-around.” In 2004-2005, Ariel Sharon dramatically departed from his reputation (& political party) and history as a conservative not willing to compromise. For example: Despite these attacks, Sharon decided to meet with Abbas in 2004 and plan an Israeli withdraw of Jewish settlers from the Gaza Strip.

Israeli withdraw of settlers from the Gaza Strip (2005) Despite intense controversy in Israel, Israel did force its own settlers out of the Gaza Strip (a few thousand)

In addition: Israel pulled back military forces from certain West Bank towns (Bethlehem & Jericho) Israel lifted checkpoints that hampered the ability of Palestinians to go to work & school (slowed construction of the “separation wall”)

“The Wall”

Current Leadership Ariel Sharon suffered a stroke in 2005. He is currently in a coma. The current Prime Minister is Benjamin Netanyahu

The Palestinian Authority Now headed by Abbas (President) and the Palestinian Parliament (132 seats). The Palestinians held an election for its parliament in January of 2006. What was the shocking result?

Hamas Victory! Hamas politicians won 74 out of the 132 seats. Hamas now has significant control over Palestinian government. They must share power with President Abbas (member of the Fatah political party) How did those elections affect peace negotiations? Israel refuses to meet with Hamas! Also, the Palestinian Authority’s funding has been cut by the U.S. & E.U.

What happened in the summer of 2006? Hezbollah guerillas kidnapped 2 Israeli soldiers. Who is Hezbollah and what did they want? Lebanese-based organization (Shiite Muslim) whose original aim was to drive Israel out of Lebanon. They are an armed militia (armed & funded by Syria & Iran) They wanted Israel to release some prisoners.

Israel’s Reaction Israel called this action an act of war; therefore the Israeli military invaded Lebanon. Hezbollah launched rockets into northern Israel.

The Result: Israeli failure to dislodge Hezbollah from Lebanon forces the two sides to a cease fire. What are negotiations like for Israelis and Palestinians today?

2007 In the Gaza Strip, Hamas members and those loyal to the moderate Abbas fought in the streets (mini Palestinian civil war). Abbas and the (Fatah political party) main Palestinian Authority leaders now reside in the West Bank. The Gaza Strip is now a Hamas-dominated territory.

The Annapolis Talks In late 2007, the Bush Adm. was able to get Israel, the Palestinian Authority (Abbas) and the leaders of several Arab states to start dialogue over sensitive issues in this conflict. Several other Arab states are also in the conference including Syria and Saudi Arabia.

2008-2009 After hundreds of small rockets fired by Hamas from Gaza landed in Israel, Israel spent a few weeks in an offensive trying to weaken Hamas’s armed power. Rockets are launched from Gaza by Hamas militants in late 2008.

Smoke rises after an Israel air strike in Gaza December 28, 2008 Smoke rises after an Israel air strike in Gaza December 28, 2008. Israel launched air strikes on Gaza for a second successive day, piling pressure on Hamas after 285 people were killed in one of the bloodiest 24 hours for Palestinians in 60 years of conflict with the Jewish state.

Issues to Negotiate Should more land and power be given back to the P.A. in the West Bank? Should there be a halt or roll back of Jewish settlements in the West Bank. Jerusalem (to share or not to share)? Golan Heights? Palestinian independence/statehood? (this requires Israel’s approval) What to do with the Hamas-dominated Gaza Strip?