Arab-Israeli Conflict Chapter 28 Section 2

Conflict over Palestine After WWI and the break up of the Ottoman Empire, Britain had control over Arab Palestine However, it was not a British colony Jews had been forced from Palestine by the Romans more than 1900 years before They dreamed of returning to Palestine and establishing a homeland for all Jews This was known as the Zionist movement

Zionism Anti-Semitism (hatred of Jews) was wide spread in Europe (even before the Holocaust) As a result, European Jews began migrating to Palestine to escape the violence Theodor Herzl encouraged even more Jews to move to Palestine Asked British, and other European nations, to support their movement British issues the Balfour Declaration which stated: (See pg 587) Britain favors the establishment of a home for Jews in Palestine as long as nothing is done to non-Jewish settlements already there

Arab Response Palestinians want own independent state More Arabs and Christians lived in Palestine than Jews As anti-Semitism increased in Europe, more Jews moved to Palestine and bought land from the Arabs How did the buying up of land lead to more conflict between the Jews and Arabs? (see pg 588) Jews bought farmland and the Arabs that worked the land were now homeless and unskilled. They rose up against the Jews

Founding of Israel After WWII, more Jewish refugees flee to Palestine for safety Determined to establish state where Jews can live in safety Palestinians opposed the arrival of the Jews They didn’t want to lose their homeland because of the anti-Semitism in Europe Britain withdraws its authority from Palestine; control is returned to the United Nations

Partition and War The UN decides to partition (split) Palestine into an Arab state (Palestine) and Jewish state (Israel) Israel declares its independence Is recognized my major world powers, including the US Arab nations refuse to recognize Israel WHY? (see pg 616) Israel is the creation of western powers who wanted to continue

Partition and War Arab nations declare war on Israel Israel wins and gains control of ½ the land set aside for the Arab state Egypt gains control of the Gaza Strip Jordan takes the rest of Palestine

Summary Why was the state of Israel created? Do you think Israel should exist for this reason?

Palestinian Refugees During and after the war, hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees fled Palestine Many settled in refugee camps set up in nearby Arab nations Supposed to be temporary; became permanent Arab and Palestinian leaders didn’t want to abandon the camps WHY? (see pg 617) Thought it would show they were willing to give up a Palestinian homeland

Continued Conflict Three other wars have occurred (1956, 1967, 1973) Six Day War (1967) Israel wins, gains: Sinai Peninsula and Gaza Strip from Egypt Golan Heights from Syria West Bank from Jordan East Jerusalem from Arabs Called occupied territories

YES-NO-WHY Israel should return the lands gained during the 1967 war.

The Cold War Between the US and SU US supported Israel SU supported Arab states Both provide money and weapons to their allies Neither US or SU pushed their allies to work on peace

The PLO Palestinian leaders formed the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in 1964 WHY? (see pg 617-618) Reclaim Palestine and destroy Israel PLO doesn’t just fight Israel, but also those nations that support Israel Have struck against the US (hijackings) Israel responds with reprisals against the PLO Reprisal: forceful act in response to injury

Struggle to Achieve Peace Arab nations refuse to negotiate with Israel Support terrorist efforts Call for Israel’s destruction Israel doesn’t want an Arab state Threatens their security Egypt, an Arab nation, has signed a peace treaty with Israel

Palestinian Uprising By 1987, Palestinians in occupied territories (land gained by Israel in the 1967 war) were frustrated by Israeli military rule Attack businesses, soldiers, and civilians (called the intifada) Israel attacks back Some Palestinians join terrorist groups like Hamas as a result

Difficult Issues Palestinians Israelis Want own homeland Believe Jews shouldn’t live in occupied territories Palestinians want Jerusalem to be the capital of Palestine Want Palestinians who fled during the wars to be allowed to return Don’t want Jewish settlements in West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem Israelis Refuse to negotiate due to terrorist activities Encourage Jews to live in occupied territories; it’s their historic right Jerusalem is the capital of Israel Don’t want Palestinians who fled to return; afraid they will overwhelm Israel

Oslo Accords In 1993, Israel and Palestine agree to recognize one another PLO promises to stop attacking Israel Israel agrees to withdraw troops from occupied areas The Palestinian Authority is created Acted as the government for Palestinians Yassir Arafat becomes the leader

New Uprisings Peace talks stalled Palestinians attacked military and civilian targets Used suicide bombers Israel responds by invading Palestinian-ruled areas Attack Palestinians, including civilians Increased the fighting between the two groups

YES-NO-WHY The Israelis and Palestinians will reach a peace agreement.

Assignment If there is a peace agreement, what should each side receive as a result? Be sure to explain why you believe this is a fair peace plan. Don’t forget to examine the difficult issues facing both sides.