The Arab-Israeli ConflictThe Arab-Israeli Conflict

A Look at the Region’s HistoryA Look at the Region’s History

The Arab-Israeli The Arab-Israeli DilemmaDilemma ““Israel is a Israel is a

country which country which came into being came into being by making by making another country another country [Palestine] cease [Palestine] cease to be.”to be.”

-- I Eaks, -- I Eaks, Palestine: Background to Palestine: Background to ConflictConflict

The Problem of The Problem of Palestine:Palestine: Both Jews and Both Jews and

Arabs claim the Arabs claim the right to control right to control and live in a small and live in a small territory territory traditionally traditionally known as known as Palestine.Palestine.

The Jewish ClaimThe Jewish Claim

The Old The Old Testament is the Testament is the story of the story of the struggles of the struggles of the Jews to survive Jews to survive and their longing and their longing for the promised for the promised land in Palestine. land in Palestine.

The Promised LandThe Promised Land

They settled there in They settled there in about 1200 BC. about 1200 BC. Problems arose in 586 Problems arose in 586 BC (Babylonians) and BC (Babylonians) and in 70 AD (Romans). in 70 AD (Romans). They were forbidden to They were forbidden to assemble for prayer or assemble for prayer or to visit Jerusalem to visit Jerusalem again.again.

DiasporaDiaspora

For the next 18 For the next 18 centuries they were centuries they were a people without a a people without a homeland, dispersed homeland, dispersed throughout the throughout the world. Yet they world. Yet they never lost their never lost their identity or pride in identity or pride in Judaism.Judaism.

The Arab Claim:The Arab Claim:

In the 7In the 7thth century century AD, Palestine was AD, Palestine was taken over by taken over by Arabs as they Arabs as they spread their spread their religion religion throughout the throughout the Middle East and Middle East and North Africa.North Africa.

Dome of the RockDome of the Rock

Jerusalem, and Jerusalem, and more more specifically, the specifically, the Dome of the Dome of the Rock, became a Rock, became a sacred place for sacred place for them.them.

The DilemmaThe Dilemma

The dilemma is that The dilemma is that both groups have both groups have STRONG claims to STRONG claims to the land. According the land. According to tradition, they to tradition, they have a common have a common ancestor, Abraham. ancestor, Abraham. That is where we That is where we will start.will start.

Isaac and IshmaelIsaac and Ishmael

In 2000 BC, In 2000 BC, Abraham was Abraham was tested by God. tested by God. From Abraham’s From Abraham’s son Isaac came the son Isaac came the Jewish race, and Jewish race, and from Abraham’s from Abraham’s other son Ishmael other son Ishmael came the Arabs.came the Arabs.

Hebrews Flee to EgyptHebrews Flee to Egypt

In 1725 BC, the In 1725 BC, the Hebrews left Hebrews left their homeland their homeland due to famine due to famine and arrived in and arrived in Egypt, only to Egypt, only to become become enslaved for the enslaved for the next 500 years.next 500 years.

Moses Frees His Moses Frees His PeoplePeople

About 1225 BC, About 1225 BC, after freeing his after freeing his people, Moses people, Moses received the Ten received the Ten Commandments Commandments from God at Mt. from God at Mt. Sinai in the Sinai Sinai in the Sinai Desert.Desert.

Kingdom of IsraelKingdom of Israel

Between 1025 Between 1025 and 965 BC, the and 965 BC, the Kingdom of Kingdom of Israel was Israel was created under created under the leadership of the leadership of Kings Saul, Kings Saul, David, and David, and Solomon.Solomon.

The BabyloniansThe Babylonians

In 576 BC, the In 576 BC, the Babylonians Babylonians conquered the conquered the Hebrews, sparking Hebrews, sparking the beginnings of the beginnings of the Diaspora [the the Diaspora [the settling of Jews settling of Jews outside their outside their homeland].homeland].

Destruction of the Destruction of the TempleTemple

In 70 AD, the In 70 AD, the Romans Romans conquered conquered Israel and Israel and destroyed the destroyed the Temple of Temple of Jerusalem.Jerusalem.

Jewish Revolt Jewish Revolt SuppressedSuppressed

In 135 AD, In 135 AD, the final the final Jewish revolt Jewish revolt is put down. is put down. The The Diaspora is Diaspora is in full effect.in full effect.

Rome Adopts Rome Adopts ChristianityChristianity

In 313 AD, In 313 AD, Constantine Constantine recognized recognized Christianity and Christianity and Christianity became Christianity became the official religion the official religion of the Roman of the Roman Empire in 400 AD.Empire in 400 AD.

Arab Control of Arab Control of JerusalemJerusalem

Muhammad Muhammad was born in was born in 570 and the 570 and the Dome of the Dome of the Rock was built Rock was built in Jerusalem in Jerusalem in 691. in 691.

Crusaders’ Siege of Crusaders’ Siege of JerusalemJerusalem In 1099, In 1099,

Crusaders Crusaders conquered conquered Jerusalem and Jerusalem and attempted to attempted to set up a set up a Christian Christian kingdom.kingdom.

Ottoman Control of Ottoman Control of JerusalemJerusalem The Ottoman The Ottoman

Empire emerged in Empire emerged in 1280 and the 1280 and the Ottomans took Ottomans took control of control of Jerusalem in 1516.Jerusalem in 1516.

The Birth of ZionismThe Birth of Zionism

In the 1880’s, Zionism In the 1880’s, Zionism was born when Theodore was born when Theodore Herzl wrote Herzl wrote The Jewish The Jewish State. State. His thesis: “due to His thesis: “due to the worldwide persecution the worldwide persecution of Jews, it is critical for the of Jews, it is critical for the survival of this race to survival of this race to have a national home…for have a national home…for Jews…and only Jews.”Jews…and only Jews.”

The Dreyfus AffairThe Dreyfus Affair

Herzl’s sentiments were Herzl’s sentiments were fueled by the Dreyfus affair fueled by the Dreyfus affair in France. Alfred Dreyfus, a in France. Alfred Dreyfus, a Jewish officer in the French Jewish officer in the French army, was accused of army, was accused of treason. Though he was treason. Though he was later exonerated, cries of later exonerated, cries of “death to the Jews” echoed “death to the Jews” echoed throughout France.throughout France.

Conflicting PromisesConflicting Promises

The Ottomans sided with Germany The Ottomans sided with Germany during the first world war and the during the first world war and the British supported an Arab revolt British supported an Arab revolt against the Ottomans promising against the Ottomans promising them self-rule. The British also them self-rule. The British also promised the Jews a homeland in promised the Jews a homeland in Palestine – the foreign secretary, Palestine – the foreign secretary, Lord Balfour, issuing a declaration in Lord Balfour, issuing a declaration in 1917.1917.

The British MandateThe British Mandate

After the war, the League After the war, the League of Nations granted France of Nations granted France and Britain mandates and Britain mandates (control) over former (control) over former Ottoman territories. France Ottoman territories. France was given Syria, Britain got was given Syria, Britain got a mandate over what a mandate over what became Israel, the West became Israel, the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and Bank, the Gaza Strip, and Jordan.Jordan.

Palestine MandatePalestine Mandate

In 1921, the British divided In 1921, the British divided their mandate in two. East their mandate in two. East of the river Jordan became of the river Jordan became the Emirate of Transjordan the Emirate of Transjordan and was ruled by Abdullah. and was ruled by Abdullah. West of the Jordan became West of the Jordan became the Palestine mandate and the Palestine mandate and remained under British remained under British control.control.

Jewish ImmigrationJewish Immigration

Jewish immigration to the Holy Land, Jewish immigration to the Holy Land, which had been going on since the which had been going on since the 1880s, increased just before the 1880s, increased just before the second world war. The local Arabs second world war. The local Arabs wanted to limit the numbers arriving. wanted to limit the numbers arriving. There were clashes between Jewish There were clashes between Jewish immigrants and Palestinians immigrants and Palestinians supported by neighboring Arab supported by neighboring Arab states.states.

Israel Occupies West Israel Occupies West BankBank

Tensions rose and Tensions rose and many were killed on many were killed on both sides when both sides when Palestinian militants Palestinian militants launched a new launched a new wave of suicide wave of suicide bombings and Israel bombings and Israel occupied a large part occupied a large part of the West Bank.of the West Bank.

Road Map Peace PlanRoad Map Peace Plan

In 2003, the road map peace In 2003, the road map peace plan to a two-state solution plan to a two-state solution started with US-backed started with US-backed Mahmoud Abbas becoming Mahmoud Abbas becoming Palestinian prime minister. Palestinian prime minister. Palestinian militants Palestinian militants announced a ceasefire but announced a ceasefire but Israel continued to kill Israel continued to kill militant leaders.militant leaders.

Israel Bombs Syrian Israel Bombs Syrian CampCamp

Mr. Abbas left office Mr. Abbas left office after a power struggle after a power struggle with Mr. Arafat. Israel with Mr. Arafat. Israel continued with its continued with its West Bank “security West Bank “security fence.” A suicide fence.” A suicide attack in Haifa attack in Haifa prompted Israel to prompted Israel to bomb a camp in Syria. bomb a camp in Syria.

West Bank Jewish West Bank Jewish SettlementsSettlements

Israel continued building its Israel continued building its security fence roughly along security fence roughly along its pre-1967 borders but with its pre-1967 borders but with loops into Palestinian areas. loops into Palestinian areas. Ariel Sharon Announced a Ariel Sharon Announced a withdrawal from the Gaza withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and a recommitment to Strip and a recommitment to the biggest Jewish the biggest Jewish settlements in the West settlements in the West Bank.Bank.

Palestinian RefugeesPalestinian Refugees

Just over four million Just over four million Palestinians, who fled Palestinians, who fled Israeli expansion and Israeli expansion and the 1967 war, are still the 1967 war, are still in exile in the West in exile in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Bank, Gaza Strip, Syria, Lebanon, and Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan.Jordan.

The Gaza StripThe Gaza Strip

• In 2005, Israel removed its settlements from In 2005, Israel removed its settlements from the Gaza Strip. Since many Gaza residents the Gaza Strip. Since many Gaza residents refused to leave their homes, they had to be refused to leave their homes, they had to be forcibly removed by Israeli police and soldiers. forcibly removed by Israeli police and soldiers. Israel gave much control of the area to the Israel gave much control of the area to the Palestinian government (with the exceptions Palestinian government (with the exceptions of the border, airspace, and coastline). Gaza of the border, airspace, and coastline). Gaza later came under the control of Hamas, a later came under the control of Hamas, a group considered by Israel and other countries group considered by Israel and other countries to be a terrorist organization. to be a terrorist organization.

Split Palestinian Split Palestinian ControlControl

With the election of a majority of With the election of a majority of Hamas to the Palestinian Authority Hamas to the Palestinian Authority (PA) legislature in 2006, and their (PA) legislature in 2006, and their platform calling for the destruction of platform calling for the destruction of Israel, violence and tension erupted Israel, violence and tension erupted once again. After Hamas attacked once again. After Hamas attacked PLO Fatah members, the PA PLO Fatah members, the PA president dissolved Hamas. Now, president dissolved Hamas. Now, Hamas controls Gaza and the PA Hamas controls Gaza and the PA controls the West Bank. controls the West Bank.

Current State of Current State of AffairsAffairs

A six month truce between Hamas and Israel expired A six month truce between Hamas and Israel expired on December 19, 2008. Hamas resumed rocket and on December 19, 2008. Hamas resumed rocket and mortar attacks on Israeli cities, with sixty rockets mortar attacks on Israeli cities, with sixty rockets being launched in one day. Israel responded by being launched in one day. Israel responded by launching a massive aerial assault in Gaza, which launching a massive aerial assault in Gaza, which led to major battles fought on the strip. Following led to major battles fought on the strip. Following the fighting, Human Rights groups accused Hamas the fighting, Human Rights groups accused Hamas and Israel of war crimes for targeting civilian homes, and Israel of war crimes for targeting civilian homes, schools, and offices. The BBC reported 40,000 schools, and offices. The BBC reported 40,000 Gazans were left without water, 4,000 homes were Gazans were left without water, 4,000 homes were destroyed, and tens of thousands were left destroyed, and tens of thousands were left homeless. The violence continues.homeless. The violence continues.

Challenges to a SolutionIssue Israelis Palestinians

Jerusalem See united Jerusalem as its capitol See East Jerusalem as its capitol

Settlements

For religious, political, and security reasons a large number of Israeli settlements exist in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

270,000 Israeli settlers in the West Bank

Israeli settlements go against the idea of a future Palestinian state.

Security Barriers, Movement, and Terrorism

Israel is building a barrier between it and the West Bank. Israel sees this as a way to prevent further suicide bombings.

Palestinians need permission to leave West Bank. Israelis see this as needed security to prevent terrorism.

Terrorist organizations like Hamas (which controls the Gaza Strip) and Hezbollah (based in Lebanon and who was at war with Israel in the summer of 2006) continue to fire rockets into Israel. Individuals also continue to commit other acts of terror.

The barrier goes beyond the border between the West Bank and Israel: the barrier route is 449 miles, while the “Green Line”—the “border” between the West Bank and Israel is 199 miles

The restriction on movement limits jobs, health care, education, etc. contributing to standard of living in West Bank being significantly less than that of Israel.

Can’t stereotype all Palestinians as terrorists as the majority are not terrorists. Palestinian government denounced terrorism.

Refugees & the Right of Return

If Palestinians living in Arab nations or in the Occupied Territories return to Israel to reclaim land, it can mean the end of Israel as a Jewish state.

As refugees, Palestinians believe they should be able to return to their or their families land in Israel and receive reimbursement for expenses incurred as refugees.

Two States or One/Borders

Israelis do not want to give up Jerusalem to Palestinian Authority. Many Israelis do not recognize Palestinians as a people separate from Arabs, therefore, they are not entitled to their own state.

Palestinians should be granted all of the West Bank and Gaza independently and as a separate state, and that Israelis settled there should leave.

ReferencesReferences

The Arab-Israeli Conflict: A Brief HistoryThe Arab-Israeli Conflict: A Brief History The Arab-Israeli DilemmaThe Arab-Israeli Dilemma The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: A Lesson in The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: A Lesson in

PerspectivePerspective The Mideast Conflict: A Look at the Region’s The Mideast Conflict: A Look at the Region’s

HistoryHistory