The Arab-Israeli Conflict

Background/History Religious origins: Abraham had two sons: Isaac (father of Judaism/Christianity) Ishmael: ancestor to Muhammad. He is associated with Mecca and the construction of the Kaaba. - Both religions believe Israel/Palestine is Holy Land History: Moses saved Jews from slavery in Egypt: wandered desert and found Promise Land: present-day Israel - Diaspora- the removal and dispersion of Jews from Israel by the Romans in 70AD

Who What When Why? Who? - Palestinians and Israelis What? -Struggle for the control of land in and around Israel When? -officially started with the United Nations partition and creation of Israel in 1948 Why? -both believe the land belongs to them based on history and religion

Important Terms/Events/People Zionism- nationalist movement founded by Theodore Herzl for the creation of a homeland for Jews in Palestine (ancient kingdom of Israel Arab Nationalism- movement in the Arab community to have their own country/nation

British Help Create new Israeli Nation McMahon Pledge 1915 - British promise to the Arabs for the creation of country if the Arabs help the British in WWI (Arabs in this area were controlled by the Ottoman Empire – Turkish people-- at the start of WWI) Balfour Declaration 1917 - British pledge to Zionists for a creation a Jewish state in Palestine THEY PROMISE THE LAND TO TWO DIFFERENT PEOPLE

United Nations Partition and First Israeli Government Partition Plan- 1947, after WWII, United Nations plan to divide Palestine into 2 lands, 1 for Palestinians and 1 for Israelis David Ben Gurion- first President of the State of Israel in 1948 Law of Return- a Israeli law that allows any Jew living in the world Israeli citizenship Why Now? Why after WWII did they decide to do this?

Partition Map and First Israeli President

Wars 1948 War over creation- 5 Arab nations attack the newly formed country of Israel 6 Days War- 1967 war between Israel and surrounding Arab countries, Israel wins and takes control of occupied territories Occupied Territories- won by Israel in 6 Days War-Gaza Strip, Golan Heights and West Bank (Jerusalem)

War and Terrorist Attacks Yom Kippur War- 1973, Arab nations attack Israel on holy holiday, they win early victories but Israel fights back and war ends with a cease fire Yasir Arafat- founder and president of Palestinian Liberation Organization, led terrorist attacks against Israel, but in 1990’s work for peace with Israel, won the Nobel Peace Prize and died in 2004

Yasir Arafat shaking hands with Israeli President

Palestinians Fight for a Political Voice PLO- Palestinian Liberation Organization, formed to give a voice to the Palestinians and fight for self-determination Intifada- meanings uprising-fighting by the Palestinians against Israeli occupation

Attempted Peace Plan and Problems Oslo Accords- 1993 peace plan signed by PLO and Israel, first plan between the two Barriers to Peace Jerusalem-who would get control Palestinian refugees Jewish Settlements in Palestinian lands

Graphs and Charts What is the graph telling you? What do you notice about the countries that find Israel favorable? What about unfavorable? Why do you think other Arab countries view Israel unfavorably?

What are the graphs telling you? Which side has the most deaths? Which side has the most civilian deaths? Why do you think Palestinians are affected more than Israelis? (think technology and economics)