Arab-Israeli Conflict

Palestine/Israel Land Claims Jews claim the land (3,000 years ago, Jewish kings ruled Jerusalem) Jews claim the land (3,000 years ago, Jewish kings ruled Jerusalem) Palestinians (Christians and Muslims) claim the land (has belonged to them since the Jews were driven out in A.D. 135) Palestinians (Christians and Muslims) claim the land (has belonged to them since the Jews were driven out in A.D. 135) Arabs claim the land (the land has belonged to them since their conquest of the area in the 7th century) Arabs claim the land (the land has belonged to them since their conquest of the area in the 7th century)

Israel Becomes a State Zionists (people who favor a Jewish national homeland in Palestine) began settling in Palestine around 1900 (Palestine was owned by the Ottoman Empire) Zionists (people who favor a Jewish national homeland in Palestine) began settling in Palestine around 1900 (Palestine was owned by the Ottoman Empire) After World War I, Palestine became a mandate controlled by Great Britain After World War I, Palestine became a mandate controlled by Great Britain Two Sides: Two Sides: a. Palestinians – opposed a Jewish state in a. Palestinians – opposed a Jewish state in Palestine Palestine b. Zionists – supported a Jewish state in b. Zionists – supported a Jewish state in Palestine Palestine

Israel Becomes a State Britain tried to get both sides to compromise – completely failed Britain tried to get both sides to compromise – completely failed 1947 – UN called for a partition of Palestine (Palestinian State and a Jewish State with Jerusalem serving as an international city – owned by neither side) 1947 – UN called for a partition of Palestine (Palestinian State and a Jewish State with Jerusalem serving as an international city – owned by neither side) Palestinians and many Arab nations protested the UN’s decision Palestinians and many Arab nations protested the UN’s decision May 14, 1948 – Israel became a state May 14, 1948 – Israel became a state

The Conflict Begins May 15, 1948 – Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Syria (Arab neighbors) invaded Israel May 15, 1948 – Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Syria (Arab neighbors) invaded Israel Palestinian State – does not exist (Israel took control of the Gaza Strip during the War and Jordan took the West Bank) – refugee problem for Palestinians Palestinian State – does not exist (Israel took control of the Gaza Strip during the War and Jordan took the West Bank) – refugee problem for Palestinians

The Conflict Begins Gamal Abdul Nasser Gamal Abdul Nasser President of Egypt from President of Egypt from Nationalized the Suez Canal which caused conflict with Israel, Great Britain and France Nationalized the Suez Canal which caused conflict with Israel, Great Britain and France Established a relationship with the Soviet Union so that they would finance the construction of the Aswan Dam. Established a relationship with the Soviet Union so that they would finance the construction of the Aswan Dam.

The Conflict Begins 1967 (Six Day War) – Israel gained control of Jerusalem, the Sinai Peninsula, the Golan Heights, and the West Bank 1967 (Six Day War) – Israel gained control of Jerusalem, the Sinai Peninsula, the Golan Heights, and the West Bank Golda Meir Golda Meir Prime Minister of Israel from Prime Minister of Israel from After initial setbacks, led Israel to victory in Yom Kippur War After initial setbacks, led Israel to victory in Yom Kippur War Sought U.S. support Sought U.S. support

The Conflict Begins 1973 War (Yom Kippur War) – Arab forces recaptured some of the territory lost in War (Yom Kippur War) – Arab forces recaptured some of the territory lost in – Anwar Sadat (leader of Egypt) formally recognized Israel’s existence (only Arab country to do so) and offered peace in exchange for Israel’s release of land captured during the 1967 War 1977 – Anwar Sadat (leader of Egypt) formally recognized Israel’s existence (only Arab country to do so) and offered peace in exchange for Israel’s release of land captured during the 1967 War

The Conflict Begins Camp David Accords (1979) Camp David Accords (1979) a. Hosted by President Jimmy Carter a. Hosted by President Jimmy Carter b. Led to the first signed peace b. Led to the first signed peace agreement between Israel and an Arab agreement between Israel and an Arab country (Egypt) country (Egypt) c. Decision – Egypt recognized Israel as a c. Decision – Egypt recognized Israel as a legitimate state and Israel legitimate state and Israel returned the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt returned the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt

The Palestinians Demand Independence Israelis built homes in the West Bank and Gaza Strip (parts of the Palestinian State established by the UN) Israelis built homes in the West Bank and Gaza Strip (parts of the Palestinian State established by the UN) Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) – led by Yaser Arafat (used violence against Israel to force the creation of a Palestinian State) Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) – led by Yaser Arafat (used violence against Israel to force the creation of a Palestinian State) Declaration of Principles (1993) – Israeli Prime Minister (Yitzhak Rabin) agreed to grant the Palestinians self-rule in Gaza and the West Bank Declaration of Principles (1993) – Israeli Prime Minister (Yitzhak Rabin) agreed to grant the Palestinians self-rule in Gaza and the West Bank

The Palestinians Demand Independence 1995 – Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated by a fellow Israeli who opposed the establishment of a Palestinian State 1995 – Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated by a fellow Israeli who opposed the establishment of a Palestinian State