1. The Arab-Israeli Conflict Introduction and Historical Background

2. Ancient Palestine Ranges from coastal plain in West to dry Jordan River valley in the east Ranges from coastal plain in West to dry Jordan River valley in the east South into the Dead Sea South into the Dead Sea Jewish peoples came to region around the 12th century BC from present day Iraq Jewish peoples came to region around the 12th century BC from present day Iraq Belief God had given them land in exchange for promise to live according to the laws of their God. Belief God had given them land in exchange for promise to live according to the laws of their God.

3. Ancient Palestine Palestinians, called Philistines at the time, were of Greek origin and settled their around the same time. Palestinians, called Philistines at the time, were of Greek origin and settled their around the same time.

4. Kingdom of Israel and the Diaspora 1000 B.C.: Establishment of kingdom of Israel by Jews 1000 B.C.: Establishment of kingdom of Israel by Jews

5. Kingdom of Israel and Diaspora 73 A.D.: Conquered by Roman Empire 73 A.D.: Conquered by Roman Empire Defeated rebellion by Jewish population Defeated rebellion by Jewish population Caused Diaspora: Majority of Jews left Palestine and scattered throughout the Middle East and Mediterranean. Caused Diaspora: Majority of Jews left Palestine and scattered throughout the Middle East and Mediterranean. Palestinians remain in region and mixed with Arab peoples that arrived in the 7th century A.D. Palestinians remain in region and mixed with Arab peoples that arrived in the 7th century A.D. Most Palestinians converted to Islam Most Palestinians converted to Islam

7. Zionism Most Jews dreamed of a return to their ancestral homeland after the Diaspora. Most Jews dreamed of a return to their ancestral homeland after the Diaspora.

8. Zionism 19th century: European Jews organize and plan move back to Palestine 19th century: European Jews organize and plan move back to Palestine Movement known as Zionism (Zion is a hill of great religious and historical importance for Jews in their holiest city, Jerusalem) Movement known as Zionism (Zion is a hill of great religious and historical importance for Jews in their holiest city, Jerusalem) Result of anti-Semitism in Western Europe and pogroms, or attacks, in Eastern Europe Result of anti-Semitism in Western Europe and pogroms, or attacks, in Eastern Europe Goal = creation of a secular (nonreligious) Jewish state in Palestine Goal = creation of a secular (nonreligious) Jewish state in Palestine

9. Jewish immigration into Palestine 1882: beginning of Jewish migration 1882: beginning of Jewish migration 1900: Majority of immigrants Zionists 1900: Majority of immigrants Zionists 1914: 10% of Palestine’s population 1914: 10% of Palestine’s population Palestinian Muslims began to fear the increased presence of Jewish migrants. Palestinian Muslims began to fear the increased presence of Jewish migrants.

10. The British Mandate of Palestine Sykes-Picot Agreement: secret agreement between France and Great Britain which called for the division of Ottoman Empire lands in the Middle East after World War I Sykes-Picot Agreement: secret agreement between France and Great Britain which called for the division of Ottoman Empire lands in the Middle East after World War I Britain takes Palestine Britain takes Palestine

11. The British Mandate of Palestine Balfour Declaration (1917): expressed British support for the “establishment in Palestine of a National Home for the Jewish people.” Balfour Declaration (1917): expressed British support for the “establishment in Palestine of a National Home for the Jewish people.” Did not consult Palestinian Arabs, about 85% of population Did not consult Palestinian Arabs, about 85% of population Seen as diplomatic victory for Zionism Seen as diplomatic victory for Zionism After WWI, Britain took control of Palestine through a mandate (similar to a colony) without consultation with Palestinian Arabs After WWI, Britain took control of Palestine through a mandate (similar to a colony) without consultation with Palestinian Arabs

13. Increasing Arab-Jewish Tensions Initially most Jewish immigrants were poor but as they settled the land and formed collective communities their situation improved. Initially most Jewish immigrants were poor but as they settled the land and formed collective communities their situation improved. These settlements, however, displaced Arabs from their land and forced them to move to overcrowded cities and become increasingly poor. These settlements, however, displaced Arabs from their land and forced them to move to overcrowded cities and become increasingly poor. All of this led to increasing pressure in the region and on the British to change the policy All of this led to increasing pressure in the region and on the British to change the policy Britain decided to maintain its policy of allowing Jewish migration Britain decided to maintain its policy of allowing Jewish migration

14. Increasing Arab-Jewish Tensions The events of WWII and the Holocaust brought worldwide sympathy and interest to the Zionist movement. The events of WWII and the Holocaust brought worldwide sympathy and interest to the Zionist movement.