Israel World History

Roman Diaspora 66 AD - Romans kick Jews out of Palestine

Zionism Movement for the return of Jewish people to their homeland The resumption of Jewish sovereignty in the Land of Israel. Has come to include the development of the State of Israel and the protection of the Jewish nation in Israel.

Balfour Declaration, 1917 Treaty of Versailles give Britain mandate over Palestine. A letter from the British Foreign Secretary, Lord Balfour. Favored the creation of a Jewish state in Palestine.

Demographics 1917: 90% of population of Palestine were Arabs 1932: 80% Arabs 1936: 60% Arabs; 40% Jewish Post WW II: Arabs 1 million; Jews 650,000 (60-40) Today: Population of Israel is 6 million, 20% of which are Arabs

The Creation of Israel 1937: Following Arab riots, UK Royal Commission recommends partition (three states: Arab, Jewish, British- administered territory) 1939: UK calls for independent Palestine by 1949 Arab League created (Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Yemen)

The Creation of Israel, cont. 1947: Britain refers Palestine question to UN UN recommends partition into two states (Arab, Jewish) with UN administration of Jerusalem Jews accept plan; Arab League rejects it UN Resolution 181 Jews establish state of Israel  war between new state and Arab League (48-49)

Arab-Israeli conflict Both have legitimate claim to same land Roman Diaspora Post-World War I dissolution of Ottoman Empire Trans-Jordan, Palestine, Iraq to Britain; Syria, Lebanon to France (League of Nations mandates)

Task Write a paragraph describing how you, a U.S. consul (choose in which country you are stationed), might have reacted to receiving this document.

Multiple conflicts Arab-Israeli, Palestinians-Israelis Wars in 1948, 1956, 1967, 1973, 1982, Intifadah ( “ Uprising ” ) 1987, 1999 Iran-Iraq: war in Iraq-Kuwait-UN: Gulf War in 1991

The “ Six-Day War ” (1967) Israeli “ preemptive strike ” Overwhelming Israeli victory against Egypt, Syria, Jordan Israelis capture West Bank from Jordan, Gaza Strip and Sinai Peninsula from Egypt, and Golan Heights from Syria Israelis control East Jerusalem for first time

UN SC Resolution 242 Israel should withdraw from occupied territories in exchange for peace and recognition Ambiguity: resolution does not say “ all ” territories, just “ territories ” Palestinians recognized as “ refugees, ” not as a “ nation ”

1973 Yom Kippur War Egypt and Syria launch surprise attack against Israel Israelis counterattack US/USSR step in and negotiate a cease-fire 1977: Anwar Sadat  Israel to address Knesset; ready to negotiate a separate peace. Leads to Camp David Accords in 1979.

Terrorism U.S. is major backer of Israel. Arab hatred of U.S.A – bombing of Marine barracks in Lebanon, 9/11, etc.