Arab-Israeli World

Many, many years ago..... Early Jews and Arabs settled in the Middle East. In A.D. 70, the Romans invaded and destroyed the Jewish capital of Jerusalem. Many Jews were forced from the region they called Judah.

Their prayers ended with “next year in Jerusalem.” The Jewish people never forgot their homeland. Their prayers ended with “next year in Jerusalem.”

Meanwhile.... The land of “Judah” became known as Palestine. Many of the Arabs who still lived there became Muslims (Islamic religion). Jerusalem became a holy city to Judaism, Christianity, & Islam.

In the 1800s and early 1900s... Jews began to move BACK to the region. They wanted to recreate the Jewish state in their homeland. They called their movement Zionism.

British Control After World War I, in 1918, the British officially gained control of the area and supported a Jewish homeland in Palestine. This led to a conflict that still exists today.

After World War II in 1947... The United Nations, a new peace-keeping organization, made decisions about Palestine.

The U N Decision In 1947, the U.N. decided to divide Palestine into two separate states- One for Jews. One for Arabs.

Arab Resentment The population of Palestine was 85% Arab and they lived on the land that Jews also claimed.

The Birth of a Nation

The Jews were granted the area. Even though over 75% of this land was desert, the Jewish population was desperate to find a home and accepted this plan.

Israel was the name of the new Jewish state. (1948) Arabs in the region did not accept the decision of the U.N. and declared war on Israel.

The Arabs were allocated the land. The Arabs rejected the plan because they wanted to prevent any Jewish control in Palestine.

The Palestinian Situation The Jews won the war. Israel and surrounding Arab nations claimed the land that had belonged to the Palestinians. Palestinians were left with no land.

During the rest of the 20th century, there were many wars fought between Israel and Arab states.

Working for Peace The United States tried to help with peace talks and some Arab nations signed peace treaties with Israel.

Terrorism But everything has NOT always been successful. Terrorism, or acts of violence, has been used to get what they want.

Working for Peace As the 21st century begins, the work for peace continues. Tolerance and understanding of other cultures will be necessary for future cooperation.

Review What is the source of conflict in the Arab-Israeli World? Dispute over who is rightfully entitled to the land Who controls Jerusalem

Review Why do some cultures have conflict? Differences in cultural traits such as religious, political, and economic issues Geographical issues such as boundaries and resources

Review Why do some cultures cooperate? Tolerance Understanding Compromise Interdependence