1. CWI: MAY 25, 2016 BE AWARE OF NEW DATES FOR ASSIGNMENTS AND THE FINAL. Graphic Novel “Israeli Settlements” Information (critical to test) Available online I have also put an “outline” on the website to guide your studies If you were absent yesterday there are notes online you need to get from yesterday

2. The Four Stages of the Conflict First Stage, which lasted for about 25 years – from the War of Independence in 1948 until the Yom Kippur War in 1973 – the conflict was conducted between Israel and the Arab countries. After the Yom Kippur War, the Arab states stepped out of the violence and Israel was left face-to-face with the Palestinians. Second Stage, direct conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, began with the first Lebanon war in 1982 and lasted through the first and second intifadas until 2005. Ended with the waning of the second intifada and the establishment of the government of President Mahmoud Abbas. The Palestinian Authority exited from the violent conflict and two islands of stubborn resistance remained: Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Third Stage, which began with the Second Lebanon War in 2006, continued through Operation Cast Lead in 2008-09 and Operation Pillar of Defense in 2012. After the Second Lebanon War, Hezbollah entered into a phase of quiet vis-à-vis Israel, and after Cast Lead and Pillar of Defense, a similar situation prevailed between Hamas and Israel. Fourth Stage the diplomatic stage. Israel is facing not only the Palestinians but rather the entire world. “Human rights” and “human suffering” are common coinages of the international discourse that has been going on since World War II. It is around these that the effective claims by the Palestinians in the expected discussions will revolve.

3. Major Players in the Conflict Israeli Knesset Israel’s governing parliament, or legislature, located in Jerusalem. The Knesset has a fixed membership of 120. Each party chooses its own Knesset candidates as it sees fit. A new Knesset begins to function after general elections, which determine its composition. Twelve political parties are represented in this government, and it boasts 12 Arabs, 48 new members and a record 27 women. The modern Israeli Knesset convened for the first time on February 14, 1949, following two years of an interim government.

4. Major Players in the Conflict Palestine Liberation Organization (P.L.O.) Established in 1964 and has been the embodiment of the Palestinian national movement seeking the independence of the State of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital. In addition to its broad national and political goals, the PLO has dealt with numerous tasks through the establishment of institutions such as health, education and social services. Deemed a "terrorist organization" by Israel, the PLO recognized Israel in 1990, and in 1993, the two sides forged a peace agreement,

5. Major Players in the Conflict Palestinian Authority the Palestinian governing body in the occupied territories. (Gaza and the West Bank) Created under the 1993 peace agreement signed by Yitzhak Rabin and Yasser Arafat Provided for the gradual withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip and West Bank. Abbas is president of the Palestinian Authority. Its legislative body, the Palestinian Council, was elected in January 1994 in the Palestinians' first elections.

6. Major Players in the Conflict Hamas Founded in late 1987 at the beginning of the 1 st intifada or "uprising," Grass-roots Palestinian organization rejecting a two state solution and vowing to “destroy Israel”. Its roots are in the Palestinian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood imported from Egypt. In early 2006, won legislative elections in the Palestinian territories, ending the Palestinian Authority’s hold on the leadership of the Palestinian nationalist movement. Split from the PA and took over the Gaza Strip. HAMAS continues to refuse to recognize or renounce violent resistance against Israel and continually launched numerous suicide bombings, rocket, and mortar attacks against Israel. The US Government has designated HAMAS a Terrorist Organization.

7. Major Players in the Conflict Hezbollah, literally "Party of Allah" or."Party of God" Shi’a Islamist group and political party based in Lebanon. Conceived by Muslim clerics and funded by Iran primarily to harass the Israeli occupation. The elimination of the State of Israel has been one of Hezbollah's primary goals Hezbollah's military strength is considered more powerful than the Lebanese Army Hezbollah has grown into an organization with seats in the Lebanese government, a radio and a satellite TV station, social services and large-scale military deployment of fighters beyond Lebanon's borders.