History of the History of the Arab-Israeli ConflictArab-Israeli Conflict

1800s - 19931800s - 1993

Jade AlexisJade AlexisGeography 105Geography 10507 June 200407 June 2004

In the Beginning…In the Beginning…

Late 19Late 19thth century century A trend of anti-Semitism swept over Eastern Europe and Jews migrated to A trend of anti-Semitism swept over Eastern Europe and Jews migrated to

Palestine in search of a new home and safe haven. Settled in Palestine, the Jews Palestine in search of a new home and safe haven. Settled in Palestine, the Jews worked to build a new state. Alas, the creation of their newfound home proved to be worked to build a new state. Alas, the creation of their newfound home proved to be the least of their problems. The growing Jewish population was not welcomed by the the least of their problems. The growing Jewish population was not welcomed by the Arab inhabitants of Palestine.Arab inhabitants of Palestine.

““The Balfour Declaration”The Balfour Declaration”

1915-19161915-1916 Conflict brewed between the Arabs and Conflict brewed between the Arabs and

Jews during World War I. At this time, England Jews during World War I. At this time, England and France signed the Sykes-Picot Agreement and France signed the Sykes-Picot Agreement to “divide the [Middle East] into British and to “divide the [Middle East] into British and French zones of influence.” French zones of influence.”

Concurrently, in the Husayn-McMahon Concurrently, in the Husayn-McMahon correspondences, Henry McMahon, British high correspondences, Henry McMahon, British high commissioner of Egypt, and Sherif Husayn of commissioner of Egypt, and Sherif Husayn of the Hejaz agreed to Britain’s Arab alliance in the Hejaz agreed to Britain’s Arab alliance in defeating the Turks in exchange for Palestine defeating the Turks in exchange for Palestine independence. Avoiding further conflict, Britain independence. Avoiding further conflict, Britain manipulated the letters to make both the Arabs manipulated the letters to make both the Arabs and Jews believe they were getting the and Jews believe they were getting the territories. territories.

““The Balfour Declaration”The Balfour Declaration”

19171917 Arthur Balfour, British statesman, proclaimed the Arthur Balfour, British statesman, proclaimed the

Balfour Declaration on November 2Balfour Declaration on November 2ndnd. The Declaration stated . The Declaration stated the British government “views with favor the establishment the British government “views with favor the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people.” A in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people.” A shocked Arab nation felt deceived by Britain. shocked Arab nation felt deceived by Britain.

Following the war, Britain controlled Palestine under Following the war, Britain controlled Palestine under the permission of the League of Nations. The Arabs the permission of the League of Nations. The Arabs “demanded the immediate introduction of majority-rule “demanded the immediate introduction of majority-rule government.” This was to the Arabs advantage as they were government.” This was to the Arabs advantage as they were ninety-two percent of the population. ninety-two percent of the population.

Meanwhile, Jews “demanded the strict fulfillment of Meanwhile, Jews “demanded the strict fulfillment of the promises implicit in the Balfour Declaration.” Britain, the promises implicit in the Balfour Declaration.” Britain, under commitment, had no choice but to abide.under commitment, had no choice but to abide.

““The United Nations Intervention”The United Nations Intervention”

19471947 More Jews migrated to Palestine and violent riots ensued with the Arabs. More Jews migrated to Palestine and violent riots ensued with the Arabs.

The Arabs believed that their violent acts would rid their home of Jews and the The Arabs believed that their violent acts would rid their home of Jews and the British government.British government.

Amid the riots, Britain tried to be fair to the opposing sides and failed. An Amid the riots, Britain tried to be fair to the opposing sides and failed. An aggravated Britain handed Palestine’s troubled territories over to the United aggravated Britain handed Palestine’s troubled territories over to the United Nations. They would decide who would have the territory. Being as fair as Nations. They would decide who would have the territory. Being as fair as possible, the United Nations established the United Nations Special Committee on possible, the United Nations established the United Nations Special Committee on Palestine (UNSCOP)—their purpose was to investigate the issues of the opposing Palestine (UNSCOP)—their purpose was to investigate the issues of the opposing parties and make recommendations to Palestine’s future by September.parties and make recommendations to Palestine’s future by September.

“The United Nations Intervention”

1947 On November 29th, the U.N. decided

to partition the country—one would be a Jewish state, the other an Arab state, and Jerusalem, an international city (the city was sacred to both peoples).

The U.N.’s decision infuriated and was rejected by the Arabs. Palestinian violence grew worse than before. The Arabs threatened to declare war on the Jews, should they create a state.

““The United Nations Intervention”The United Nations Intervention”

19481948 On May 14On May 14thth David Ben-Gurion, leader of David Ben-Gurion, leader of

the Zionist (Jewish) movement, declared Israel as the Zionist (Jewish) movement, declared Israel as the new Jewish state. Ben-Gurion was the nation’s the new Jewish state. Ben-Gurion was the nation’s first prime minister and Dr. Chaim Weizmann, first prime minister and Dr. Chaim Weizmann, also a leader of the world Zionist movement, was also a leader of the world Zionist movement, was president. Acknowledging, that the Arabs would president. Acknowledging, that the Arabs would act upon their threat of war, three hundred act upon their threat of war, three hundred thousand Palestinians fled the country for safety. thousand Palestinians fled the country for safety. May 15May 15thth the Arabs declared the First Arab-Israeli the Arabs declared the First Arab-Israeli War.War.

““The First Arab-Israeli War”The First Arab-Israeli War”

19481948The Arabs goal was to seize all Palestinian The Arabs goal was to seize all Palestinian

territory. They entered Israel with a strong army, but territory. They entered Israel with a strong army, but once the Jews established and armed their own, they once the Jews established and armed their own, they proved to have the superior army.proved to have the superior army.

19491949In March, Palestine was “forced to sign an In March, Palestine was “forced to sign an

armistice.” Israel came out the victor of the First Arab-armistice.” Israel came out the victor of the First Arab-Israeli War. Israel took control of the land given to the Israeli War. Israel took control of the land given to the Palestinians, while Jordan gained the West Bank and Palestinians, while Jordan gained the West Bank and Egypt gained the Gaza Strip. Palestinians were left Egypt gained the Gaza Strip. Palestinians were left with no land to return. with no land to return.

““The First Arab-Israeli War”The First Arab-Israeli War”

19491949 Those that remained in the area had no choice but to live under Israeli Those that remained in the area had no choice but to live under Israeli

government—the Palestinians “found themselves a defeated minority in their own government—the Palestinians “found themselves a defeated minority in their own land.” The majority who fled the land became “stateless refugees, living in makeshift land.” The majority who fled the land became “stateless refugees, living in makeshift camps and depend[ed] on rations issued by the United Nations.”camps and depend[ed] on rations issued by the United Nations.”

Similar to the first migrated Jews in Palestine, Arabs now contemplated Similar to the first migrated Jews in Palestine, Arabs now contemplated constructing their own state on Israeli land.constructing their own state on Israeli land.

The Suez War of 1956The Suez War of 1956 1948-19561948-1956

Palestinians continued to attack Palestinians continued to attack the Jews. This time they came from the Jews. This time they came from the West Bank and Gaza Strip. the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Consequentially, Israel bombed Jordan Consequentially, Israel bombed Jordan and Egypt, owners of the two and Egypt, owners of the two territories.territories.

19561956 At the same time, Egypt had At the same time, Egypt had

power over the Suez Canal—“an power over the Suez Canal—“an important waterway for trade and important waterway for trade and military activity.” The British military activity.” The British desperately needed to prevent Egypt desperately needed to prevent Egypt nationalization as it would diminish nationalization as it would diminish their “influence in this strategically their “influence in this strategically important area.”important area.”

Britain government enlisted Britain government enlisted Israel to attack Egypt on the Sinai Israel to attack Egypt on the Sinai Peninsula.Peninsula.

The Suez War of 1956The Suez War of 1956

19561956 Israeli military was once again victorious, but the United States Israeli military was once again victorious, but the United States

government demanded Britain and France stop the attacks on Egypt. The government demanded Britain and France stop the attacks on Egypt. The countries complied and had Israel pull out of the Gaza Strip. In its place, the countries complied and had Israel pull out of the Gaza Strip. In its place, the U.N. positioned a small force there to supervise actions between Egypt and U.N. positioned a small force there to supervise actions between Egypt and Israel.Israel.

Behind the Suez War of 1956, Palestinians regained their drive in Behind the Suez War of 1956, Palestinians regained their drive in capturing all of Palestine’s territory, including Israel.capturing all of Palestine’s territory, including Israel.

"The Palestinian Liberation Organization”"The Palestinian Liberation Organization”

19641964The Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) was created so the Egyptians The Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) was created so the Egyptians

could have command over Palestinian activities. Avoiding further Israel attacks, could have command over Palestinian activities. Avoiding further Israel attacks, Egypt could “curtail Palestinian guerilla attacks.”Egypt could “curtail Palestinian guerilla attacks.”

19651965One of the main groups Egypt aimed to control was Fatah, an organization One of the main groups Egypt aimed to control was Fatah, an organization

started by a group of Cairo students.” Fatah was strongly interested in Arab states started by a group of Cairo students.” Fatah was strongly interested in Arab states going to a final war with Israel. However, the Israeli army grew very powerful and going to a final war with Israel. However, the Israeli army grew very powerful and Arab states were unwilling to engage in war until they were more equipped then Arab states were unwilling to engage in war until they were more equipped then Israel.Israel.

"The Palestinian Liberation Organization”"The Palestinian Liberation Organization”

19651965 Unfortunately, in the midst of talks of Arab Unfortunately, in the midst of talks of Arab

states going to war once again, they forcefully states going to war once again, they forcefully went anyway. Egyptian president, Gamal Abd al-went anyway. Egyptian president, Gamal Abd al-Nasser, closed the Gulf of Aqaba to Israeli shipping Nasser, closed the Gulf of Aqaba to Israeli shipping and removed the U.N. forces. and removed the U.N. forces.

Israel took Nasser’s actions as warning signs Israel took Nasser’s actions as warning signs that Egypt was preparing to attack. In a that Egypt was preparing to attack. In a preemptive strike (attacking before being preemptive strike (attacking before being attacked), Israel attacked Egypt initiating the Six attacked), Israel attacked Egypt initiating the Six Day War. Day War.

““The Six Day War”The Six Day War”

19671967 In the Six Day War, Israel armies In the Six Day War, Israel armies

fought fiercely against Egypt, Jordan, and fought fiercely against Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. Once more, the Israeli armies were Syria. Once more, the Israeli armies were victorious and gained control of more Arab victorious and gained control of more Arab land than before. Israel attained the Sinai land than before. Israel attained the Sinai Peninsula, the Gaza Strip, West Bank, and Peninsula, the Gaza Strip, West Bank, and Golan Heights. Once they acquired the West Golan Heights. Once they acquired the West Bank, Jerusalem was now Israel territory as Bank, Jerusalem was now Israel territory as well. well.

Consequentially, in gaining the West Consequentially, in gaining the West Bank and Gaza strip, Israel gained 1.3 million Bank and Gaza strip, Israel gained 1.3 million adverse Palestinians. The Palestinians adverse Palestinians. The Palestinians prepared for war yet again. This time the prepared for war yet again. This time the battle was between the Arabs and Israelis in battle was between the Arabs and Israelis in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

““The 1973 War”The 1973 War”

19731973 The 1973 War began with a surprise attack from the Arabs. This time the goal The 1973 War began with a surprise attack from the Arabs. This time the goal

was to only gain land lost in the Six Day War. Although, the war made an impact, the was to only gain land lost in the Six Day War. Although, the war made an impact, the Arabs were still unsuccessful in regaining their territory. Arabs were still unsuccessful in regaining their territory.

““The Intifada”The Intifada”

19781978 Israel returned the Sinai Peninsula to Israel returned the Sinai Peninsula to

Egypt in accordance with the Camp David Egypt in accordance with the Camp David Accords, a signed peace treaty between Accords, a signed peace treaty between Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli

President Menachem Begin.President Menachem Begin. 19821982

Meanwhile (1977-1987), Israel wasted Meanwhile (1977-1987), Israel wasted no time in building Jewish settlements on the no time in building Jewish settlements on the West Bank and Golan Heights and all the West Bank and Golan Heights and all the while more conflict brewed.while more conflict brewed.

““The Intifada”The Intifada”

19871987Israelis did everything in their power to prevent the Palestinian state from Israelis did everything in their power to prevent the Palestinian state from

materializing. They created strict policies to control resident activities. These materializing. They created strict policies to control resident activities. These policies prevented the West Bank and Gaza Strip Palestinians from forming a policies prevented the West Bank and Gaza Strip Palestinians from forming a political party. PLO backed Israel in their decision based on the organization’s political party. PLO backed Israel in their decision based on the organization’s concern that an independent Palestinian authority “would diminish its power and concern that an independent Palestinian authority “would diminish its power and legitimacy as the ‘sole representative’ of the Palestinian people.”legitimacy as the ‘sole representative’ of the Palestinian people.”

““A cycle of violent actions and equally violent reprisals accelerated with A cycle of violent actions and equally violent reprisals accelerated with the Palestinian uprising in 1987… [this] became known as the ‘Intifada.’” The the Palestinian uprising in 1987… [this] became known as the ‘Intifada.’” The Palestinians were frustrated at losing their land and depending on unreliable Palestinians were frustrated at losing their land and depending on unreliable authorities to help them to gain it back. They resolved to be self-reliant and authorities to help them to gain it back. They resolved to be self-reliant and create their own state by taking back control of the land allotted to them in create their own state by taking back control of the land allotted to them in 1947. More violent riots took place in December. 1947. More violent riots took place in December.

““The Intifada”The Intifada”

19871987 Israelis only fueled the anger of the Israelis only fueled the anger of the

Palestinians by closing their territories, which Palestinians by closing their territories, which prevented some Palestinians from attending work prevented some Palestinians from attending work in Israel. The Palestinians were forced to provide in Israel. The Palestinians were forced to provide for themselves which made a bad situation worse for themselves which made a bad situation worse for the Israelis. “The Israelis realized that they for the Israelis. “The Israelis realized that they could not continue to control the occupied could not continue to control the occupied territories without great cost.”territories without great cost.”

19931993 The Intifada concluded in 1993. The The Intifada concluded in 1993. The

opposing parties were ready to discuss a opposing parties were ready to discuss a settlement. The Israelis and Arabs signed the Oslo settlement. The Israelis and Arabs signed the Oslo Accords—a “Declaration of Principles on Interim Accords—a “Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Rule for Palestinians.”Self-Rule for Palestinians.”

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