OneOne Land, Land, TwoTwo PeoplePeople

The Arab-Israeli ConflictThe Arab-Israeli Conflict

The size of The size of Israel Israel

compared to compared to the state of the state of California California (Israel is (Israel is

approx. the approx. the same size as same size as New Jersey)New Jersey)

The Arab WorldThe Arab World

Palestinian: An Arab that lives in or claims as their homeland Israel (they call it Palestine.) All Palestinians are Arabs, but not all Arabs are Palestinians.

Jews: People who claim the ancient land of Israel and/or follow Judaism.

One Arab, One Jew

How long has there been major conflict in the Middle East over the land of Israel? Since Israel’s independence in 1948.

Facts about the country Facts about the country of Israel todayof Israel today

(2004 (2004 World AlmanacWorld Almanac))

Ethnic distribution:Ethnic distribution: 80% Jewish; 80% Jewish; 20% Arab and other.20% Arab and other.

Chief religions:Chief religions: 80% Jewish; 15% 80% Jewish; 15% Islam (mostly Sunni); 2% Christian Islam (mostly Sunni); 2% Christian

Roots of the conflictRoots of the conflict

Jewish claims:Jewish claims:– Originate in biblical timesOriginate in biblical times– Jewish kingdom centered in Jewish kingdom centered in

JerusalemJerusalem

Palestinian claims:Palestinian claims:– By 9By 9thth century, a majority of pop. was century, a majority of pop. was

MuslimMuslim– Next 10 centuries under Muslim ruleNext 10 centuries under Muslim rule

Israel is the land God promised the Jews.

The Jewish claim to the region dates back to King David. He unified Israel and built Jerusalem around 900 BC

Israel was conquered by the Roman Empire because of the location on trade routes.

The Roman name for the region was “Palestina.”

The fortress of Masada is still a symbol of Jewish resistance.

Because of their continuous revolts and attacks against soldiers, the Romans forced the Jews to leave Israel around 70AD in what is called the Diaspora.

For the next 2,000 years, the Jews stuck together, always with the dream of returning to Israel.

They were continually discriminated against and expelled from various parts of Europe.

1890’s: Birth of 1890’s: Birth of ZionismZionism

This was an effort started by This was an effort started by European Jews in the 1800’s to European Jews in the 1800’s to create a Jewish homeland in create a Jewish homeland in Palestine. By the early 1900’s, there Palestine. By the early 1900’s, there were approx 25,000 Jews living in were approx 25,000 Jews living in Palestine. Palestine.

This was a Jewish solution to the This was a Jewish solution to the Diaspora.Diaspora.

After World War II, the United Nations moved to create a homeland for the Jews. The land they have claimed for 2,000 years.

The Palestinians had inhabited the region since around 900 AD. In order to give land to the Jews, who would have to give land up?

After World War I, much of the Middle East was controlled by the British and the French.

The region had been taken from the defeated Ottoman Turkish Empire.

After World War II and the Holocaust, the Jews were promised a country and a return to their “homeland.”

Two countries were set up. One, a Jewish state, the other a Palestinian state.

After declaring their independence in 1948, Israel was attacked by Egypt, Jordan, Syria, and the Palestinians.

In a bitter fight, the Jews surprisingly defeated the Arabs and gained additional territory. The Palestinian state was lost.

Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians fled to surrounding countries.

Many Palestinians became Many Palestinians became REFUGEESREFUGEES

Refugee camps in the late 1940’sRefugee camps in the late 1940’s

Today, many Palestinians and their children make the refugee camps a “permanent” home.

They are a “stateless nation.”

PALESTINIAN REFUGEE CAMPS

NEARLY 4 MILLION PALESTINIANS LIVE IN THE CAMPS.

Many moved into the camps in 1948, their families are still there.

Gaza StripWest Bank

Golan Heights

The Sinai Peninsula was returned to Egypt in 1989.

Wars broke out between the Israelis and Arabs for the next forty years. In 1948, 1956, 1967, and 1973 the Jews defeated Arab armies.

What happens to Israel if the Jews ever lose a war?

Israel has granted limited autonomy to many of the regions inhabited by the Palestinians.

The Arabs and much of the world are pushing for a Palestinian state. Can you determine what the issue might be when looking at the land occupied by the Palestinians?

Their lands aren’t connected..

After 2004 the Israeli's pulled out of the Gaza Strip, giving Palestinians limited autonomy.

In somewhat free elections, the Palestinians elected the terrorist group Hamas to govern in Gaza.

Hamas the set up crude rockets and fired thousands into Israel.

Islamic militants (Hamas) “shake up” Islamic militants (Hamas) “shake up” Israel with a series of Israel with a series of suicide bombingssuicide bombings

and rocket attacksand rocket attacks

In December, 2008, the Israeli Army and Air Force bombed, then invaded Gaza, destroying much of the infrastructure and killing thousands.

The intent was simple. To stop Hamas from firing rockets into Israel.

Hamas was beaten but not broken. The Israelis pulled out in January, 2009. It remains to be seen if the ceasefire will hold. (they never have)

Israel invaded Gaza again in 2013 because of rockets fired into Israel.

Palestine Liberation Organization Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO)(PLO)

Seen as a terrorist group Seen as a terrorist group until 1991. until 1991.

Trying to reclaim Trying to reclaim Palestinian land.Palestinian land.

Recognize Israel’s right to Recognize Israel’s right to exist and reject violence exist and reject violence and terrorism. In return, and terrorism. In return, Israel recognizes them as Israel recognizes them as the representative of the the representative of the Palestinian people.Palestinian people.

CheckpointsCheckpoints

CheckpointsCheckpoints

Gaza Strip EmbargoGaza Strip Embargo

Gaza Strip EmbargoGaza Strip Embargo

The USA has been attempting to help solve the crisis since the 1980’s. To date, no lasting peace has been achieved.

Your assignment…Your assignment…

On the back of your worksheet, answer the On the back of your worksheet, answer the following questions…following questions…

Which side (Jews/Palestinians) resonates with Which side (Jews/Palestinians) resonates with you the most? you the most?

Which group is entitled to this land? Which group is entitled to this land?

Why?Why?