1. Middle East Key Ideas- – Three Main Religions Judaism (oldest) Christianity Islam – Sunni – Shia Similarities – Montheistic – Prophets » Abraham » Jesus – “founder” Christianity » Muhammad – Founder of Islam – Sacred Texts » Judahism – Torah » Chrsitianity – Bible (Old & New Testemant) » Islam- Quran – Sacred Cities » Jerusalem – All 3 hold this city sacred » Mecca (Makka) - Islam

2. Middle East Languages – Arabic Most parts of the Middle East – Hebrew Israel – Persian Iran

3. Middle East Israel-Arab Conflict Creation of Israel (1948) – Sykes-Picot (1917) – Balfour Declaration (1917) – Zionists Jewish people who wanted the creation of a Jewish state Just happens to be in the same place where the Palestinians (who are Arab) are living (Palestine) – Israel is established in 1948 Palestinians are forced to move to Refugee Settlements in the neighboring Arab Nations (Egypt / Jordan / Syria) Or Refugee Settlements in the Gaza Strip and The West Bank Leads to an almost immediate war between Israel and these Nations

4. Middle East Israel-Arab Conflict Israel and wars with their Neighbors – Egypt / Jordan / Syria Impact of the Wars – Israel gains control of Gaza Strip (Egypt) West Bank (Jordan) Golan Heights (Syria) These Areas are still a source for conflict

5. Middle East Israel-Arab Conflict Palestinians (who are Arab & Islamic)

6. Middle East Israel-Arab Conflict Palestine – Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) Yasir Arafat – Leader for almost 50 years until he died Began his leadership calling for the destruction of Israel As he grew older (& hopefully wiser) soften his position and was working on ways to co-exist with Israel – Self Government in Gaza and West Bank???? When he died left no leadership to follow allowing for more extremist groups such as Hamas to take the leading role of Palestinian Liberation – Hamas much more violent throughout Israel » Terrorist Attacks » Suicide Bombings