2. Arab – Israeli Conflict

3. How it Began Pre-1948 land in question = PALESTINE
Jews believed it belonged to them because of Yahweh’s covenant with Abraham (Promised Land)
Palestinians = Muslims  They don’t care!

4. How it Began
1897 Zionist Movement began – Jews from around the world want own homeland
Great Britain offered Uganda
Jews wanted Palestine
1917 – Balfour Declaration – Great Britain says there will be a Jewish homeland in Palestine

6. 1940’s: World War II / Holocaust
More Jews want own country, move to Palestine
More international support for Jews
Nov. 29, 1947 – UN Resolution 181 – Palestine divided into three parts:
Jewish, Arab, Jerusalem (shared)
May 14, 1948 Israel declares Independence

7. II. Wars and the Aftermath
Wars—Israel won four Arab-Israeli wars
May 15, = Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and Jordan invaded to prevent formation of Jewish country
Most significant = Six Day War
Israel = Surprise attack on Egypt (worried about being invaded)

8. Six Day War Results Israel beat Egypt, Syria, and Jordan
Israel gained control of the rest of Palestine (West Bank and Gaza Strip), Sinai Peninsula, Golan Heights, and eastern half of Jerusalem

9. RESULTS Palestine no longer existed
Many Palestinian Arabs forced to flee to refugee camps
2.7 – 3.6 million Palestinian refugees today
Many don’t have adequate food and shelter
Limited educational and economic opportunities

10. What is a refugee?
a person who flees for refuge or safety, especially to a foreign country, in times of war or upheaval

11. More results… Limited educational and economic opportunities
1964 Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) formed to lead fight to regain Palestine
UN Resolution 242 (1967)
A. Called for an end to declarations of war
B. Israeli troops leave territories captured from Arabs

12. UN Resolution (continued)
C. Respect each other’s independence and right to exist
D. “Just settlement” to Palestinian refugee problem
E. Nothing actually happened…

13. Present
1974 Palestine given observer status in UN (world recognized right to exist)
Violence from both sides has slowed the peace process

14. Ongoing Violence
A – Intifada – Palestinians throw rocks and homemade grenades to get Israeli troops to leave West Bank and Gaza Strip
B. Ariel Sharon (leader of Israel) send army into refugee camps to root out terrorists, used excessive violence
C. 2nd Intifada started eight years ago
D. Both sides refuse to implement peace plans until terrorism stops