The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict“You can’t have occupation and human rights”

History of the Conflict

• Arabs and Jews co-existed in the land of Palestine under the rule of the Ottoman Empire

• So what happened? • British policy during WWI: Britain told Arabs

to revolt against Ottomans! • In return, British would support Arab

independence! • Then….

History of the Conflict

● To gain Jewish support during the war, Britain issued…

● Balfour Declaration (1917): Britain would support the idea of a national homeland for Jews!o Zionist: Supporter of a homeland for the Jews in

the area of Palestine. Movement began late 1800’s.

● Many Jews began to immigrate to Palestine in the late 1800’s. (This number escalates greatly during WWII.. Why??)

What happens after the wars?

• WORLD WAR I(1914-1917)• League of nations: Say new lands of Ottoman

Empire not ready for independence • SO, Britain and France govern the are of

Palestine!

• World War II (1939-1945)• Britain turns Palestine over to United Nations.• UN establishes an independent Arab state

AND an independent Jewish state.

War breaks out!• War between Israel and Arab

states!! • Israel wins – gains 30% more

territory than designated by UN plan.

• 700,000 Palestinians flee/were driven from land.

• Conflict continues from the 1940’s – present day. • Peace talks of been attempted,

nothing really works out.

Videos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JV2pyhZsxek *******

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7nobq2Nl5k

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4r1EmEni2Rw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wo2TLlMhiw

Palestinians● Ancestors lived in

area nearly 2000 years ago● Jerusalem home to most important Jewish site—Western Wall

● Ancestors have been living in area nearly 2000 years

● Jerusalem home to 3rd most important Muslim site - Dome of the Rock/Al-Aqsa Mosque

Israelis

Background “Current State of Affairs”

• In 1, 8 sentence paragraph, summarize the current state of affairs in the Israeli/Palestinian conflict.

Current Issues

Territory-Gaza:

• Poverty/unemployment.• Islamic Palestinian party, Hamas, very strong! • Only a few Jewish settlements in Gaza – guarded

heavily by Israeli soldiers -West Bank:

• Occupied by Israelis since 1967• Home to 2.1 million people. 200,000 Jewish

settlers. 500,000 Palestinian refugees

Current Issues

Security • Israel doesn’t trust Palestinian authority to protect

citizens in Jewish settlements

• Palestinians don’t believe Israel will ever allow true self-determination. • Israel withdrew troops but did they really?

• Israeli citizens being killed from terrorist attacks• Retaliation comes in form of tanks/airpower

Current Issues

Settlements • Claiming of ancient biblical lands by

the Jews • 210,000 settlers near West Bank.

Refugees• 3 million Palestinians are refugees• Spread out throughout Middle East

Israeli Settlements

• West Bank• They go to..• Settle land for Israel• Religious reasons• Cheap housing

• Settlements make peace harder

Current Issues

Jerusalem • Originally, Jerusalem to remain under

international control because of its prime status for Judaism, Islam and Christianity

• Israel wants to maintain control over ALL of Jerusalem…

• Palestinians want sovereignty over East Jerusalem and to establish it as the capital!!

• East Jerusalem is mostly Arab but Jewish settlements are being built

Current Issues

Incitement • Hateful language, propaganda, images in

school books and from media fuel violence! • Both communities don’t see a lot of

benefits of peace

• How can this conflict be solved??

Reflection

Write for three minutes about BOTH of the following questions:1. If you were Israeli, why might you think

you should live on the land that is now Israel?

2. If you were Palestinian, why might you think you should live on the land that is now Israel?

Scenario

The U.S. wants to begin a process that will lead to negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian leadership!

Goal: To express needs and interests of the people who will ultimately have to make peace work! What issues do they have? What support do they need? What do they believe and feel?

Scenario

Each of you will play a certain role.

You must get into character and be ready to voice your opinions about what you want or believe in.

REMEMBER: Not a negotiation at first, mainly how you feel!!