Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Background The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is an ongoing dispute between Israel & Arab Palestinians What is at the heart of the conflict? Land, i.e. – Jerusalem!!!

Background Background: Romans kicked Jews out of Palestine in 70 A.D. Jews spread throughout the world – called the Great Diaspora Anti-Semitism: hostility towards Jews Zionism: movement for the return of the Jewish people to their homeland

Conflict Over Palestine Britain controlled land after WWI Many wanted to move to Palestine because of Zionism; asked for British support Balfour Declaration (1917) – officially gave the Jews British support for the creation of a state of Israel Zionist groups gave Jews money to buy land in Palestine; violence breaks out, esp. against Britain

Haganah, Irgun, and Lehi 1921

Founding of Israel Zionist movement picks up even more speed following WWII because of the… Holocaust: “completely burnt” systematic extermination of about 6 million Jews. “Never Forget. Never Again.”

Founding of Israel Post WW2: Exhausted from fighting, Britain turns the problem over to the United Nations 1947: UN divides Palestine btw Jews & Arabs (2 Separate States)

The Refugees 700,000 Palestinians 800,000 Jews

May 1948: Jews declare Israel’s creation Founding of Israel May 1948: Jews declare Israel’s creation Some Arab countries refused to recognize Israel as a state b/c it symbolized western domination

1948 Arab-Israeli War Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon sent troops to help the Palestinians fight Israel won and took ½ the Palestinian’s land Palestinian refugee camps were set up in nearby Arab countries; many refuse to move out and give up land

1948 Arab-Israeli War How did Israel win? Had support ($ and weapons) from US Arab attacks were very miscalculated and disorganized; couldn’t agree on strategy

Palestinian Liberation Organization Founded in 1964 to form a Palestinian state Yasser Arafat was chairman of the PLO from 1969-2004 with his death

PLO Want to destroy Israel, use terrorist actions (bombings, airplane hijackings, kidnappings) against Israel and supporters (U.S.) January 1965: PLO launched guerilla attacks against Israel, Israel attacks Syria & Jordan

Six Day War (1967) Egypt signed an alliance with Syria, Jordan and Iraq; moved troops into the Sinai Peninsula Israel sees this as a threat and strikes back How long did the war last??? 6 Days

Aftermath Israel takes: Sinai Pen. and Gaza Strip from Egypt, Golan Heights from Syria, West Bank from Jordan, East Jerusalem from the Palestinians Builds settlements on land taken following the war; violation of international law

The First Intifada 1987-1993

Intifada – “the Shaking” Refers to Resisting oppression Palestinians attacked Israeli soldiers and citizens with ROCKS the government imprisoned and deported many, destroyed homes of rebels, closed Arab schools Israel criticized for violating rights

Attempts at Peace Camp David Accords: Sept. 18, 1978: U.S. President Jimmy Carter hosts Egyptian president Anwar al-Sadat and Israeli prime-minister Menachem Begin at Camp David Peace treaty signed March 26, 1979 giving Egypt the Sinai Pen. and Palestinians self rule in occupied land

Attempts at Peace Oslo Accords (1993): US: Bill Clinton, Israel: Yitzhak Rabin, Palestine: Yasser Arafat Israel and the PLO would recognize one another PLO would stop attacks Israel would withdraw its forces from parts of the occupied territories limited Palestinian self-rule in Gaza

The Second Intifada 2000

2nd Intifada Ariel Sharon (Israeli leader) visits the Temple Mount Why is this a problem? Site of the 3rd most important Muslim Holy Site, Al-Aqsa Mosque (Dome of the Rock) Hamas and other Palestinians begin launching militant attacks against Israel Israel responds by bulldozing settlements of anyone suspected of aiding Hamas 5,500 Palestinians killed; 1,100 Israelis