Israeli Palestinian Conflict Introduction PalestinianIsraeli Conflict Introduction The

Israeli- Palestinian Conflict Introduction

Palestinian-Israeli Conflict: Introduction The conflict between Israel and the Palestinians is one that is: § Extremely dangerous § Long-lasting § Complicated § Animated by religious fervor

It’s all about Land • The core of the conflict is land. § Who has the right to the land? § Who owns the land today? § Religion is not the cause § Muslim & Jew have lived there together over the previous 2 -3000 years. § Does have influence in the conflict but not main reason

The Geography Israel is at the crossroads between Asia, Africa, and Europe. Today, it is in the heart of the Arab Middle East

Palestine/Israel • 10, 000 square miles • About the size of Maryland • Claimed by both groups

Israel: Land for Jews Israel is a modern, democratic nation created in 1948. It was conceived as a homeland for Jews who had experienced discrimination worldwide. Israel includes Jews and Arabs, who have rights of citizenship.

Israel: Land for Jews Israel was the historic homeland of the Jews first promised by God to Abraham around 2000 BCE. Israel was the site of several kingdoms and independent states until the Romans finally exiled the Jews in 135 AD. During the Diaspora, Jews remembered their homeland dreamed of returning to it.

Israel: The Western Wall • Jerusalem is the site of the holiest site in Judaism, remains of the earliest Temples.

Palestinian Arab Claims to Land • based on: – Continuous residence for hundreds of years – Represented demographic majority at creation of Israel – Abraham is their forefather too – Shouldn’t have to forfeit their land for Europe's crimes against the Jews

Palestine: Homeland for Palestinians are the Arabic speaking people that live in Palestine. Most Palestinians practice Islam which came to Palestine around 638 AD, although some are Christian. Jerusalem is one of the most holy cities for Islam because Muslims believe that Muhammad ascended to heaven there.

The Holy Land for Christians Israel and Palestine has been a major site for Christian pilgrimage and crusades Jesus is said to have been born in Bethlehem and raised in Nazareth. He is said to have been crucified and resurrected in Jerusalem

Ottoman Empire • Beginning of 20 th century (1900’s) – Israel/Palestine belonged to Ottoman Empire – Most Jews lived in four cities (Jerusalem, Hebron, Safad, and Tiberias) and were orthodox – Most Arabs lived in rural towns. • When WWI started (1914) 60, 000 Jews and 683, 000 Arabs lived in Israel/Palestine

At the start of WWI:

British Mandate • British gained control after WWI – Deal with Arabs about creating an Arab country including the Palestine area – Deal with Jews (Balfour Declaration) supporting the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine

British Mandate • Mandate divided into Jordan and Palestine • 1921 -WWII fights/rioting between Jews and Arabs, Jews and Muslims

• Population of British Palestine in 1946 • Red=Palestinians • Blue= Jewish

Zionism • Jewish Nationalism • Core Beliefs: – All Jews constitute one nation – Only solution to anti-Semitism is the concentration of as many Jews as possible in Palestine/Israel and creation of Jewish state there. • Gained Support due to: – Russian pogroms – Nazi genocide

1947: UN Partition Plan • In 1947, the UN proposed a partition plan for Palestine which would create an Arab and an Israeli state. • Under the plan, Jews (who accounted for 33% of the population) would receive 55% of the land. • This plan was rejected by the Arab states and 5 nations attacked Israel when it declared independence on May 14, 1948.

1947: UN Partition Plan Israel won the 1948 Arab-Israeli War and expanded its boundaries from the UN partition plan. War created Jewish and Palestinian refugees Egypt took control of the Gaza Strip and Jordan annexed the West Bank.

1967 War: The Six Day War • Fearing attack by Egypt, Syria, Iraq and Jordan, Israel launched a preemptive strike • Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Sinai Peninsula and the Golan Heights.

• Iraq, Egypt, Syria, and Jordan attacked Israel to regain lands lost in the 6 day war. • The Arab nations were initially successful as the Israelis were celebrating Yom Kippur and had not anticipated an attack. • After several weeks, Israel recovered its occupied lands and a cease fire was reached. 1973 War

1978 Camp David Accords • The first peace treaty between Israel and an Arab state. • This historic agreement led to Israel returning the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt in return for diplomatic relations.

1978 Camp David Accords • An agreement was signed for negotiating a settlement of the Palestinian claims, but this was not successful. • Egyptian leader Anwar Sadat was assassinated in 1981 by the Egyptian Islamic Jihad organization.

• The PLO was founded in 1964. ( Palestinian Liberation Army). • In 1974, the PLO was recognized by the United Nations as the representative of the Palestinian people. • The PLO is a militant group defending and fighting for Palestinian rights and freedoms Rise of the PLO

Oslo Accords In 1993, the PLO and Israel signed a peace agreement to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The agreement included the following: • Withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip and the West Bank • Palestinian right to selfgovernment through the creation of the Palestinian Authority.

The current issues • The right of Israel to exist as a nation on land previously occupied by Muslims • The building of settlements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip • Terrorism • Israeli occupation of the Golan Heights and the West Bank. • Water rights • Defensible and safe borders. • International and Arab recognition of Israel

US Interests: Why do we care? • This conflict is destabilizing and could lead to a major world war. • Israel possesses nuclear weapons and its enemies would like to develop such weapons to gain a military advantage • Many in the Middle East perceive the Palestinian-Israeli conflict as the most important issue. • Unless peace is reached, the US is perceived as biased, and it is difficult to get cooperation from other countries in the region

US Interests: Why do we care? • America has oil interests in the region • The War on terrorism • Promote Democracy: Israel is a democratic, capitalistic state • US citizens have close ties to Israel and Arabs.