ISRAEL AND PALESTINE History, Wars, Politics and The Peace Process

THE HISTORY Hebrews expelled from Palestine by the Romans in 70 CE The “Diaspora” Suffered persecution in Europe Zionist Movement - European movement begun by Theodore Herzl in 1890s that called for a Jewish homeland in Palestine.

Balfour Declaration Balfour Declaration letter in which British officials show support for the concept of a Jewish homeland in Palestine Palestine was a British Mandate after WWI Mandate – an official order or commission to do something

ZIONISM Reasons the movement became popular 1.The ancient religious dream of return 2.The wave of nationalist enthusiasm that was sweeping Europe 3.The threat of anti-Semitism & physical dangers to Jews

Founding of Israel Jewish people began leaving Europe because of persecution and settle in Palestine, especially after WWII. Zionism encourages Jewish immigration to & settlement of Palestine Kibbutz - communal farm organized by Jewish settlers. Share work and profits.

The State of Israel UN Partition in Territory of Palestine is divided by the UN to provide a homeland for the Jewish people after WWII Israel declares itself an independent nation. Arab countries object and declare war on Israel

The State of Israel

Palestinians Arab inhabitants of the territory that becomes Israel ,000 Palestinians are driven from or leave their homes and villages at the start of the war between Israel and the Arab countries Become known as “The Refugees”

“The Camps” They go to refugee camps in West Bank or neighboring Arab countries “the camps” - Palestinians still living in these areas after 70 years

“The Right of Return” Palestinians want the right to return to their original villages and homes and demonstrate carrying “keys”

First Arab-Israeli War May 14, 1948 – Israel declared independence May 15, 1948 – Arab armies from Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria & Iraq declare war By the end, Israel won, gaining 20% more land than UN Partition allotted War of Independence vs. The Catastrophe

Suez Crisis 1956 Egyptian President Nasser wanted to take back control of Suez Canal from France and Britain Nationalized Suez Canal US backed him up, rather than siding with its European Friends & Israel

Formation of PLO Formed to take up the war against Israel – nationalistic Set up as an umbrella organization to join various Palestinian groups that had formed in Arab areas Set 2 goals – destroy Israel and form secular, democratic state in its place Launched guerrilla attacks on Israeli military targets Certain factions used terrorism

The Six Day War Arabs planned to attack Israel again Israelis pulled off pre- emptive strike (hit them first) and destroyed their arms. Humiliating defeat for Arabs Israelis controlled West Bank and Gaza

“The Territories” Israel takes control of the traditional Arab territories, including Jerusalem and the Western Wall West Bank (Jordan), Gaza (Egypt) and Golan Heights (Syria) Is it right to take land in warfare?

1967 – “The Settlements” Ultra Conservative Jews seek to settle in these Arab areas and claim them for Israel Originally intended to act as security outposts & to prevent attacks

ANWAR SADAT – Egyptian President

Yom Kippur War 1973 Started by Anwar Sadat of Egypt to shake up diplomatic situation, get Israel to talk, get Sinai Peninsula back Arabs catch Israel off guard on a holy day, take the war to Israel Satisfy the demands of honor Israel won after 3 weeks of fighting, but Arabs commemorate this war on Oct. 6 Leads to Camp David peace talks

Israeli Government and Politics Knesset - parliamentary democracy –Multiple parties –Proportional representation –Coalition government –Vote of no confidence

Knesset

Golda Meir - 1st Woman PM of Israel

Israeli Political Parties LIBERAL LABOR PARTY Willing to negotiate with the Palestinians Willing to give up land for peace CONSERVATIVE LIKUD PARTY Military power Israelis should not give up any of the land won in war Current party in power

– Camp David Accords Camp David 1978 Pres. Jimmy Carter - USA Pres. Anwar Sadat - Egypt P.M. Menachim Begin – Israel (Likud) Opens Communication Framework for Peace Egypt 1 st Arab country to recognize Israel Both countries receive U.S. $

1981 – Sadat Assassinated Admired in the West Won Nobel Peace Prize Targeted by Islamist groups in Egypt for negotiating with Israel Assassinated October 6, 1981

The First Intifada 1987 By 1987, there was mounting frustration & anger among the Palestinians, who had been living in the West Bank & Gaza under Israeli occupation for 20 years The Palestinians had a strong desire for their own state, independent from Israeli control PLO renounced its goal of destroying Israel in 1988

The First Intifada 1987 Widespread uprising in Palestinian areas Street fighting and guerilla tactics to used to challenge the Israeli Army Palestinian boys fight the soldiers with slingshots DAVID v. GOLIATH?

The First Intifada 1987 The intifada was culmination of growing tension & violence between Israelis and Palestinians, also known as “the war of stones” As a result – Palestinians had global recognition as a people, world media criticized Israel in a way that had not been done before, the intifada led to the Oslo Peace Accords

The Israeli Security Wall

Oslo Accords 1993 Pres. Clinton, P.M. Yitzhak Rabin and PLO leader Yassir Arafat negotiate terms for Palestinian Self Rule Israel negotiates directly with PLO PLO recognizes Israel’s right to exist

Results of Oslo PLO becomes Palestinian Authority PA responsible for administration of the West Bank and Gaza (limited self- rule) IDF withdraws from most of the “territories” Big problems like Jerusalem, the settlements, status of Palestinian refugees put off to another time. Both won Nobel Peace Prize 1994

Rabin Assassinated 1995 Military hero and former hardliner sees during Intifada that force won’t solve this problem. Negotiates directly with Arafat “Land for peace” Targeted for death by conservative Jewish groups

Effects of Rabin Assassination Benjamin Netanyahu (his replacement) allowed for –More Israeli settlements that would spread into the West Bank & Gaza Terrorist activity increased as a result of the encroachment on Palestinian self-ruled land

Yassir Arafat Former Terrorist PLO Hijacked Planes Achille Lauro ship hijacking Implicated in Munich Numerous attacks on Israeli villages Won Nobel Peace Prize!!! Died in 2004

Second Intifada 2000

2006 War With “Lebanon” Hezbollah (receives $$ from Iran & Syria) militants fired rockets across border in to Israeli town Kidnapped Israeli soldiers Israel responded with air strikes Civilian infrastructure badly damaged Casualties include many Lebanese civilians caught in the middle Ended with cease fire brokered by UN

Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian Authority since 2005 Leader of Fatah political party Moderate Can’t control Gaza b/c Hamas won elections there

Hamas controls Gaza

2008 Gaza Hamas lobbed missiles into Israel Israel responded with airstrikes IDF ground attack to route out Hamas Civilian casualties

2010 PEACE TALKS Goal was “Two- State” solution Netanyahu officially recognized Palestinians’ right to have their own state Abbas asked for end to Israeli settlement building

Peace Talks Secretary of State John Kerry oversaw talks between Abbas & Netanyahu Negotiations collapsed Palestinians created Palestinian Unity Government – Fatah and Hamas joined forces

2014 Israel – Gaza Conflict Increased tensions when 3 Israeli teens were kidnapped & killed and Palestinian teen was kidnapped & killed in revenge Hamas increased rocket attacks IDF began offensive in Gaza 2100 Palestinians killed (militants & civilians) 70 Israelis killed (64 soldiers)