28-2:The Arab-Israeli Conflict

By: Deric M., Marc F.

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Conflict

Lasted more than 50 years Conflict between Arab nations & State of

Israel causing attention to the Middle East

During fighting: 4 wars & launched numerous guerilla

attacks Both sides worked toward peace, but

peace process would unravel as new fighting erupted

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The Founding of Israel

After WWII violence between Arabs & Jews in the British Mandate of Palestine increased

Thousands of Jewish Refugees left Europe for Palestine

Refugees – people who flee their homeland to seek safety somewhere else

Palestinian Arabs were not willing to give their homeland for wrongs done to Jews in Europe(Hitler)

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Cont.

Exhausted by WWII, Britain gave Palestine to the UN

1947- UN recommended Palestine be partitioned

May 1948- Jews announce creation of Israel

Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Iraq and Lebanon declared war immediately

Israel defeated Arab forces and took half of Jerusalem

Palestinian Refugees

500,000 Arabs fled out of Palestine after 1948 war

UN refugee camps became permanent homes for the refugees

Palestinian leaders refused to abandon the camps

Continued Conflict

1956- Israel, Britain and France attacked Egypt for the Suez Canal Israel occupied Sinai Peninsula

1967- 3rd Arab-Israeli war occurred Israel took the Gaza Strip(Egypt), Golan

Heights(Syria) , West Bank(Jordan) and East Jerusalem

1973- Syria and Egypt attacked Israel but failed to gain any land

_________ __________Superpower Involvement United States backed Israel Soviet Union backed Syria, Iraq and Egypt Both provided weapons and economic aid Palestinians lived in occupied territories –

land ceased by Israel during 1967 war 1964- Palestinians formed Palestine

Liberation Organization(PLO) Goal to reclaim Palestine and destroy Israel

PLO committed bombings and hijackings PLO attacks brought reprisals- forceful

attacks in response to injury

Building a Nation

Israel is one of the two democracies in the Middle East

Geography and People; Size of New Jersey 90% live in urban areas Ashkenazim(Eastern European Jews) Sephardim(Mediteranean/ Middle

Eastern Jews) 15% non Jews(Christians/Arab Muslims)

Economic Development

Israel has a mixed economy Lack of resources and water

Aid from United States greatly assisted the economy

Negev desert full of irrigation pipelines Developed high technology

industries such as Aerospace equipment

Remain dependent on imports for basic goods

Struggle to Achieve Peace

After 1948 Arab nations refused to recognize or negotiate with Israel Supported terrorist activities against Israel

and called for its destruction Israeli leaders rejected idea of Palestinian

state that threatened Israel’s security Egypt became the first Arab nation to

recognize Israel 1987- Palestinians organized strikes

against Israeli soldiers and civilians Intifada – “the shaking”

Cont.

Israeli troops destroyed homes of suspected rebels and closed Arab schools

During Intifada Palestinians joined forces such as Hamas and Islamic Jihad Groups called for destruction of Israel and used

terrorism Most difficult issue between Palestinian and Israeli

leaders was the status of occupied territories Many supported the PLO leader Yassir Arafat who

called for destruction of Israel Israel refused to talk to PLO because of terrorist

activities

Cont.

Israel encouraged Jewish settlers to move into the occupied lands Angered Palestinians

1993-Hopes for peace revived when Israel and PLO agreed to Oslo Accords Israel and PLO agreed to recognize each other PLO promised to stop attacking Israel Israel promised to withdraw its forces

Yassir Afarat became head of Palestinian Authority

Return of Violence

Israel and Jordan signed peace agreement Israel and Syria could not reach an

agreement about Golan Heights Palestinian terrorists attack both

military targets and Israeli civilians Palestinians felt methods were entirely

justified March 2002- Israel invaded Palestinian

areas of West Bank

Unresolved Issues 1980- Israel made Jerusalem its

capital Palestinians wanted East Jerusalem

to be the capital of Palestinian state Both sides believed religious

teaching justified their cause resulting in bloodshed

Art of Peace

Bushra Jawabri Young Palestinian woman refugee Belongs to Seeds of Peace

Organization that brings together young people from war torn lands

Goal is to be “a training ground for peace”