The Arab Israeli Conflict 28-2

1. The Arab Israeli Conflict28-2

2. Key Questions • Why was Israel founded? • Why have Arab nations attacked Israel? • What issues have made the Arab-Israeli conflict hard to solve?

3. The Founding of Israel • After WWII many more Jews begin to migrate into the mandate of Palestine • Intent to create Jewish home state • Arabs not happy about giving up land • “Why are we being punished for what happened to the Jews in Europe?” • Britain can’t control situation turns mandate over to UN

4. The Founding of Israel • Partition • 1947 UN recommends that Palestine be split in 2 • Jewish State • Arab State • Zionists accept plan, Arabs feel it is a violation of right to self-determination • Last British troops pull out in May 1948 • Jews immediately announce creation of Israel • Supported by major world powers • Seen as attempt for West to control Middle East by Arab Countries • Arab Nations immediately declare war on Israel • Egypt • Jordan • Syria • Iraq • Lebanon • Arabs lose and Israel takes half of land set up for Arab State and half of Jerusalem • The rest is taken by Egypt and Jordan

5. The Founding of Israel • Palestinian Refugees • 500,000 Arabs fled or were driven out of Palestine during and after the 1948 war • Most settle in refugee camps in nearby Arab Nations • Supposed to be temporary became permanent residences • Camps were not abandoned as a sign of resolve to regain Palestinian homeland.

6. Continued Conflict • 3 more wars followed the 1948 war • 1956- Israel, Britain and France attack Egypt for nationalizing Suez Canal • Israel occupies Sinai Peninsula, but withdraws • 1967-Arab-Israeli War(6 day war) • Israel makes major territorial gains • Sinai Peninsula and Gaza Strip from Egypt • Golan Heights from Syria • West Bank form Jordan • East Jerusalem taken from Arabs • 1973-Yom-Kippur War • Syria and Egypt strike to regain land lost in 6 day war • Unsuccessful

7. Continued Conflict • Superpower Involvement • Cold War fuels this conflict • US backs Israel • Soviets back Arab nations • Neither side presses their ally to make peace

8. Continued Conflict • The PLO • The key to lasting peace centered on fate of Palestinian Arabs • Wanted self rule • Numbers growing in camps and occupied territories • Occupied territories-lands seized in 6 day war • 1964 Palestinian Leaders form PLO (Palestine Liberation Organization) • Goal: reclaim Palestine and destroy Israel • Begin Guerilla warfare against Israel • Conflict spreads beyond Middle East • Terrorist attacks increase • US targeted for alliance with Israel • Training and funds provided by Syria, Iran and other Middle Eastern countries • Israel responded by attacking areas that harbored PLO bases • Lebanon invaded in 1982 by Israel

9. Building a Nation • The People of Israel • Small in Size (about size of New Jersey) • 90% live in urban areas along Mediterranean Coast • Many Jews immigrated after nation was declared • Come from many diverse cultures • 2 main groups • Ashkenazim from Eastern and Central Europe • Originally dominated government • Sephardim from Mediterranean and the Middle East • Now in majority have increased influence in govt • 15% of country is non-Jews • Full political rights • Feel discriminated against in education and employment • Population growing (Concerns some Jewish Israelis

10. Building a Nation • Economic Development • Mixed Economy • Faces issues of a lack of natural resources and water • Combated by inventiveness and outside money • Have been able to irrigate Negev Desert • High technology industries at center of economy • Large Service economy as well • Still dependent on imports for many basic goods • Much of budget spent on Military for defense

11. The Struggle to Achieve Peace • Arab neighbors won’t recognize Israel / Israel won’t recognize Palestinian State • First Step • 1979 Egypt signs peace deal with Israel • Arab nations condemn Egypt • Palestinian Uprising • 1987 Intifada-The shaking • Palestinians protest occupation with boycotts and violence • Israel Responds with violence • Leads to Palestinians joining underground armed groups (Hamas, Islamic Jihad)

12. The Struggle to Achieve Peace • Difficult Issues • 1990’s new peace efforts begin • Many issues separate the 2 sides • Status of occupied territories • Jewish Settlements in the occupied lands • Oslo Accords • 1993 Israel and Palestine agree to peace negotiations • PLO promised to stop attacking Israel • Israel would give the Palestinians limited self rule

13. The Struggle to Achieve peace • The Return to Violence • Peace talks stall and the Palestinians launch new protests • 2nd Intifada 2000 • Terrorists attack both military targets and civilians • Israel invades West Bank in 2002 to stop violence • Unresolved Issues • Who gets Jerusalem? • Right of Return for Palestinians to Israel? • What happens to the Settlements?

14. Most Current -US currently recognizes Gaza Strip and West Bank as a unified country -During the Bush era Hamas gains majority of seats in Palestinian Parliamentary Elections -Fighting breaks out between Hamas and the former ruling party Fatah -Fatah takes Hamas Seats in parliament and Hamas seizes control of Gaza Strip -Gaza Strip currently blockaded