I. Israel’s Role in U.S. Foreign Policy

A. Birth of Israel Problem: many Jews immigrated into the Middle East during and after World War II. Why? “Zionist Movement” - Jews who wanted to get their homeland back – Israel the United Nations divided Palestine, creating the nation of Israel, and promising to create the nation of Palestine, but never did. Impact: The fact that Palestine was never established has been a source of anger between Jews and Muslims ever since.

B. Tension in the Middle East Tensions between the Muslims and Jews turns to war. Problem for the United States – the U.S. is Israel’s ally, so we have to help them fight when they go to war. The Six-Day War (1967): Israel launched an attack on Egypt, and other surrounding Muslim countries declared war on Israel. Israel wins, obtaining new territories that it believed were necessary for Israel’s security in the midst of a hostile region filled with Muslim nations hostile to Israel’s existence. Yom Kippur War (1973): In October of 1973, an Arab coalition led by Egypt and Syria, attacked Israel in what has come to be known as the Yom Kippur War. The purpose of the conflict was to retake the lost territories. The United States came to the aid of Israel with weapons airlifted to Israel at President Nixon’s order.

C. Effect on the United States 1973 Oil Crisis: Israel’s ultimate victory in this conflict however came at a high cost to the United States. In retaliation for American support of Israel, OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries), a worldwide oil cartel, announced an oil embargo against the United States, cutting oil production, and raising prices. What does this mean for the United States? This energy crisis forced President Nixon to take drastic measures to reduce oil consumption: National speed limit set at 55 miles per hour. Reduced the amount of gas you could get at a time. Impact: showed clearly for the first time how dependent was on Middle East oil, much of which was controlled by Arab- Muslim countries. Legacy: Muslim countries begin to distrust the United States.

D. Peace Attempts Camp David is a presidential retreat in the suburbs of Washington DC. Wishing to ease tensions in the Middle East, President Jimmy Carter held 12 days of secret meetings with Egyptian President Anwar el-Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin. Camp David Accords (1978): Hostile toward each other since 1948, Egypt and Israel settled long-standing disputes while at Camp David that would lead to the Egyptian-Israeli Peace Treaty (1979). Among the terms of the treaty were: (1) end of war between the two nations; (2) Egyptian recognition of Israel as a nation; (3) Israeli withdrawal from the Sinai Peninsula, captured during the Six-Day War; (4) right of Israeli ships to use the Suez Canal and neighboring waterways.

Independent Practice Based on the information presented in the PowerPoint, should the US intervene to help Israel when it is in trouble? Three possible answers – yes, sometimes, or no. Use evidence from the notes to explain your answer.

Exit Ticket 1) Which of the following was seen as a diplomatic (peaceful resolution) victory in the Middle East? a.The Camp David Accords b.The founding of the PLO c.The Israeli invasion of Lebanon d.The Iranian Hostage Crisis

Exit Ticket 2) Which statement is most accurate about the economy of the United States during the 1970’s and early 1980’s? a.The increased cost of imported oil hurt economic growth. b.The Federal budget was balanced. c.Inflation declined sharply throughout these years. d.The number of jobs in farming increased while service jobs decreased.

Exit Ticket 3) What is the United States’s relationship with Israel like? How has it affected the United States through Israel’s history?