MODERN WORLD HISTORY

MODERN WORLD HISTORY

THE ARAB-ISRAELI CONFLICT

INTERACTIVE

THE ARAB-ISRAELI CONFLICT

INTERACTIVE

Why has the Arab-Israeli Conflict been so difficult to

resolve?

Why has the Arab-Israeli Conflict been so difficult to

resolve?

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PalestiniansReligion: Muslim

(90%),Christian (10%)Language: Arabic

Supported by Arab countries and USSR

IsraelisReligion: mainly Jewish

Language: HebrewSupported by USA and

Britain

One land, two peoples

Since 1917, the Middle East has

been the focus of world attention.

The conflict between Israel and

the Palestinians has led to conflict

in the whole region.

Since 1917, the Middle East has

been the focus of world attention.

The conflict between Israel and

the Palestinians has led to conflict

in the whole region.

The USA has a large Jewish

community and have supported

Israel.

The USA has a large Jewish

community and have supported

Israel.

The USSR have supported Arab countries in the

Middle East.

The USSR have supported Arab countries in the

Middle East.

The Arab-Israeli Conflict

Palestine

Jewish or Arab

Homeland?

Arab-Israeli Conflict Interactive

The Arab-Israeli ConflictWhat is this conflict about?

The Arab-Israeli conflict is essentially about land. Two peoples, the Jews and the Palestinians both claim the same territory. The Jews know this land as Israel, the

Palestinian Arabs, who also lived there, call it Palestine. Religion and race has made the conflict more bitter. Israelis are Jewish and believe that God has given the

land of Israel to them. The Palestinians are Muslims and believe it is their duty to drive out the Jews. This clash

makes the conflict much harder to solve.Intervention by neighbouring Arab countries, the USA

and the USSR has made the situation even more complicated. By 2011, the conflict has lasted more than

half a century. As long as the conflict continued, the more difficult it became to settle.

Contents Page

Contents Page

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A Holy Land

Why did the religions all claim ownership of Palestine?Palestine was of great religious importance to Jews, Christians and Muslims. The Jewish claim to the land of Israel goes back to biblical times, 2000 years ago. The Jews lived in the area now known as Israel. It was part of the Roman Empire. When the Jews rebelled against Roman rule in 72 A.D., they were crushed. By about 100 A.D., most of the Jewish population of Israel had spread throughout Europe and the Middle East-a dispersal known as the diaspora. Jews were frequently persecuted but remained true to their faith and traditions. To Christians, Palestine was the land where Jesus Christ lived and died. Jerusalem, the district's most important city, was also holy to Muslims. Prophet Muhammad founded the Islamic faith here in 610 CE. It was from its holy rock that Mohammad ascended into heaven.The Arabs [Muslims] conquered the Middle East, including Palestine in 638 A.D. Arabs claim Palestine is theirs since their conquest of the region. Most Palestinians became Muslims but there were Christian and Jewish minorities, especially in Jerusalem. Palestine became part of the Turkish, Ottoman Empire in 1516. The Ottoman Empire controlled Palestine until the First World War in 1914.

Why did the religions all claim ownership of Palestine?Palestine was of great religious importance to Jews, Christians and Muslims. The Jewish claim to the land of Israel goes back to biblical times, 2000 years ago. The Jews lived in the area now known as Israel. It was part of the Roman Empire. When the Jews rebelled against Roman rule in 72 A.D., they were crushed. By about 100 A.D., most of the Jewish population of Israel had spread throughout Europe and the Middle East-a dispersal known as the diaspora. Jews were frequently persecuted but remained true to their faith and traditions. To Christians, Palestine was the land where Jesus Christ lived and died. Jerusalem, the district's most important city, was also holy to Muslims. Prophet Muhammad founded the Islamic faith here in 610 CE. It was from its holy rock that Mohammad ascended into heaven.The Arabs [Muslims] conquered the Middle East, including Palestine in 638 A.D. Arabs claim Palestine is theirs since their conquest of the region. Most Palestinians became Muslims but there were Christian and Jewish minorities, especially in Jerusalem. Palestine became part of the Turkish, Ottoman Empire in 1516. The Ottoman Empire controlled Palestine until the First World War in 1914.

Learning OutcomesBy the end of this section you will learn about the claims made to Palestine by Jews and Palestinians and what these

claims were based on. How did Britain deal with Arab and Jewish claims to this

land during the First World War?You will also understand the effects of

anti-Semitism on Jewish European communities.

Read the learning outcomes first.

55Arab-Israeli Conflict Interactive

Arabia

Persia

Russia

TurkeyOttoman Empire

EgyptAllied attacksAttacks by TE Lawrence and the ArabsLand lost by Turkey by the end of the war

Oil fields

Suez Canal

Gallipoli

Syria

Meso

pota

mia

Mesopotamia was part of the Turkish

Empire. Britain wanted to stop Turkey

invading British controlled Egypt and the oil fields in Persia.

The British, led by Colonel T E

Lawrence gave the Arabs weapons and encouraged them to

revolt against Turkey.

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WAR IN THE MIDDLE EAST 1914-1918

During the First World War 1914-1918, the Ottoman Empire allied

with Germany and Austria Hungary against Britain, France and Russia.

The war helped to quicken the collapse of the Ottoman Empire.

Arabs and Jews both hoped to fill the vacuum left by its collapse.

During the First World War 1914-1918, the Ottoman Empire allied

with Germany and Austria Hungary against Britain, France and Russia.

The war helped to quicken the collapse of the Ottoman Empire.

Arabs and Jews both hoped to fill the vacuum left by its collapse.

Britain’s Double DealingBritain and France had great interest

in the Middle East and took advantage of their influence in the region. Britain did quite a bit of double dealing during

the war.They made promises to both Arabs

and Jews.

Britain’s Double DealingBritain and France had great interest

in the Middle East and took advantage of their influence in the region. Britain did quite a bit of double dealing during

the war.They made promises to both Arabs

and Jews.

Arab-Israeli Conflict Interactive

Britain’s promises during the First World WarBritain’s promises during the First World War

What were the main causes of the Arab Revolt?Tension increased between Jews and Arabs as the number of Jews entering Palestine increased. Between 1936 and 1939 there was an Arab revolt, sparked off by Arab anger and frustration. They feared that Britain was about to hand Palestine over to the Jews. By 1936, there were 400,000 Jews in Palestine. Many of them were better educated than most Arabs. Jews were also supported by Jews from around the world. This and their ability, enabled Jews to buy up land, set up businesses and prosper. Arab guerrillas attacked Jewish farms, homes and businesses. This was mainly because Arab tenant farmers lost their home and livelihood when landowners sold land to the Jews.  In 1936, a full-scale rebellion broke out involving Palestinians at all levels of society. A British army of 20,000 men was tied down in Palestine and in 1938 alone, 70 British soldiers, 90 Jews and 1700 Arabs were killed in disturbances. The fighting was mainly between the British and the Arabs. The rebellion continued until 1939, although the severe British response from 1937- controls, searches and blowing up of houses to flush out the rebels within - gradually weakened the revolt.

What were the main causes of the Arab Revolt?Tension increased between Jews and Arabs as the number of Jews entering Palestine increased. Between 1936 and 1939 there was an Arab revolt, sparked off by Arab anger and frustration. They feared that Britain was about to hand Palestine over to the Jews. By 1936, there were 400,000 Jews in Palestine. Many of them were better educated than most Arabs. Jews were also supported by Jews from around the world. This and their ability, enabled Jews to buy up land, set up businesses and prosper. Arab guerrillas attacked Jewish farms, homes and businesses. This was mainly because Arab tenant farmers lost their home and livelihood when landowners sold land to the Jews.  In 1936, a full-scale rebellion broke out involving Palestinians at all levels of society. A British army of 20,000 men was tied down in Palestine and in 1938 alone, 70 British soldiers, 90 Jews and 1700 Arabs were killed in disturbances. The fighting was mainly between the British and the Arabs. The rebellion continued until 1939, although the severe British response from 1937- controls, searches and blowing up of houses to flush out the rebels within - gradually weakened the revolt.

Arab Revolt 1936-1939

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Exam Skills 1: Short answer

questionsWhy did Britain fail to

control Palestine in the years between 1922 and

1939?[8 marks]

Administration

To managed or look after

Contradictory Saying opposite or inconsistent things

Emigration Leaving your country or region to settle in another

Guerrillas A small group engaging in irregular warfare carrying out acts of terror and sabotage

Immigration Coming to live permanently in a foreign country

Jewish Agency An organisation set up to help Jews settle in Palestine

Mandate Territory surrendered by Turkey or Germany after World War I and put under the administration of Britain and France.

Palestine Country in the Middle East claimed by Jews and Arabs

Shantytowns A slum settlement

Suez Canal Man made waterway linking the Mediterranean Sea and Red Sea

British MandateKEYWORDS

Back to previous page 1919Arab-Israeli Conflict

Interactive

Lebanon

Jerusalem Riv

er

Jord

an

Dead

Sea

Med

iter

rane

an S

ea

Tel-AvivJaffa

Gaza

Haifa

Hebron

Arab-Israeli War 1

Israeli War of Independence 1948

Arab-Israeli War 1

Israeli War of Independence 1948

Egyptian

Army

Jordanian

Army

SaudiArmy

SyrianArmy

Lebanese

Army

Jews were surrounded and outnumbered.

Jews were surrounded and outnumbered.

UN mediators tried to end the fighting. UN mediators tried to end the fighting. The Arabs failed to

defeat Israel. The Arabs failed to

defeat Israel.

In February 1949, the war ended.

In February 1949, the war ended.

Over 1 million Arabs fled from Palestine.Over 1 million Arabs fled from Palestine.

Arab-Israeli War 1Israeli War of Independence 1948

Arab-Israeli War 1Israeli War of Independence 1948

Why did

Israel win the

1948 war?

Arab-Israeli War 1

Israeli after the war

Arab-Israeli War 1

Israeli after the war

Egypt

Syria

Tra

nsjo

rdan

Leban

on

Israel

TheWestBankThe

GazaStrip

Arab Palestine before the war

Israel after the war

The West Bank is seized by Jordan

The Gaza Strip is seized by Egypt

Arab Palestine before the war

Israel before the war

Arab-Israeli Conflict Interactive

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Nixon

Brezhnev

Arab-Israeli Conflict Interactive

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A cartoon from 1973 commenting on superpower involvement in the Arab-

Israeli Conflict.

Despite violent acts, Palestinian actions

mainly included nonviolent civil

disobedience and resistance.

Despite violent acts, Palestinian actions

mainly included nonviolent civil

disobedience and resistance.

Palestinian demonstrations included stone-

throwing by youths against the Israeli

Defence Force.

Palestinian demonstrations included stone-

throwing by youths against the Israeli

Defence Force.

There were general strikes, boycotts on

Israeli products, refusal to pay taxes,

graffiti, and barricades.

There were general strikes, boycotts on

Israeli products, refusal to pay taxes,

graffiti, and barricades.

What were the results of the Intifada?

1.International opinion swung against Israeli tactics in Gaza and the West Bank. 2.The intifada put pressure on the Israelis to seek negotiations with the Palestinians.3.October 1991, Israeli & Palestinian delegates met for a series of peace talks.

What were the results of the Intifada?

1.International opinion swung against Israeli tactics in Gaza and the West Bank. 2.The intifada put pressure on the Israelis to seek negotiations with the Palestinians.3.October 1991, Israeli & Palestinian delegates met for a series of peace talks.

The First Intifada, 1987-1993In 1987, Palestinians became frustrated with

their living conditions and lack of progress and began the Intifada, or war of sticks and stones. The Palestinians often fought the Israelis with low-tech weapons like rocks, but over time,

they gained access to guns and explosives. By 1993, 1,162 Palestinians and 160 Israelis had died. The problem for the Israeli soldiers was

that they did not know how to react to the Intifada without looking like bullies.

The First Intifada, 1987-1993In 1987, Palestinians became frustrated with

their living conditions and lack of progress and began the Intifada, or war of sticks and stones. The Palestinians often fought the Israelis with low-tech weapons like rocks, but over time,

they gained access to guns and explosives. By 1993, 1,162 Palestinians and 160 Israelis had died. The problem for the Israeli soldiers was

that they did not know how to react to the Intifada without looking like bullies.

What caused the Intifada?

What caused the Intifada?

Arab Israeli Conflict Interactive

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What was the Intifada?

What was the Intifada?

EXAMS SKILLS 3EXAMS SKILLS 3Essay Writing

Question: Can the Palestinian problem ever be resolved? [15 marks]

The following help is available.Mark SchemeWriting Frame

Click on the buttons below for

the peer assessment

support materials.

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