PalestinianIsraeli Conflict About Israel Small nation size of

Palestinian-Israeli Conflict

About Israel • Small nation = size of New Jersey • 90% live in urban areas • Two main groups of Jews – Ashkenazin (Eastern and Central Europe) – Sephardim (Mediterranean and Middle East) • Arab population is growing – Some fear will out number the Jews – Current population 6. 4 million / 5. 2 million Jew – If Palestinian refugees (3. 7) came back would end a Jews state • Area lacks natural resources and water • Introduced new technology and developed high industries

Zionism • During the late 1800 s demanded for a Jewish state in Palestine • Romans had expelled the Jews in AD 70 • 1897 organization formed by Theodor Herzl to promote Zionism • Jews began to migrate to Palestine • Asked for Britain and other European nations to support them

Balfour Declaration • A British document that supported a Jewish homeland in Palestine • In short – Britain favors a Jewish homeland – Nothing shall be done to hurt the non-Jew living there • 1930 s flow of Jews to Palestine

After WWII • Britain turned things over to the United Nations • United Nations voted to partition Palestine into two states – One Arab (45% of the land) – One Jewish (55% of the land) • Arabs refused to accept the partition or to recognize Israel

1948 Arab – Israeli War • Also known as the Israeli War of Independence • Began after the declaration of the State of Israel on May 14, 1948 • Forces of Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Trans-Jordan and Iraq invaded Israel • Israel defeated and occupied Arab territory • Palestinian Arabs fled

Territorial gains in the Arab-Israel War

War of 1956 • Suez War • Israel, Britain, and France verse Egypt – Egypt trying to get $$$ to build Aswan Dam • Egypt had captured the Suez Canal – nationalized it • Egypt prevents ships to pass that are coming from or arriving to Israel • Israel captured the Sinai Peninsula but forced to withdraw (pressure from US and SU) • Did in exchange for shipping rights

War of 1967 • The Six Day War – Strike by Israel to protect itself • Surprise air attack lead to defeat of Egyptian army • Israel takes Gaza Strip and the Sinai Peninsula (occupied territories) • Jordan and Syria attach • Israel takes West Bank from Jordan and the Golden Heights from Syria – occupied territories – Strategic importance • Israeli water source • High grounds • Religious sites – Jewish settlers moved in • Returned the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt in the Camp David Accords in 1978 and Gaza Strip in 2005

1973 Yom Kippur War • Egypt and Syria launched a surprise attach in the Sinai and Golden Heights • Israel able to push Syria out of territory gained in the first week of the war • United Nations call a cease-fire • Israeli troops withdraw from the west of the Canal • Egypt re-open canal – Claim victory

Reasons for the Conflict

Israeli view • Arab Hostility – “holy war” against Israel • Non-recognition of Israel’s right to exist – Destroy Israel • Forced to fight for self-defense • Many Israelis believe that minorities in Israel are treated justly

Palestinian view • State based on outdated claims – Jews lived there 1, 800 yrs ago doesn’t give you claim now • International law on their side – UN resolution allows for refugees wishing to return • Jews arrived with the intention of taking over not just immigration • Israeli treatment of Palestinians is unjust

Peace Efforts

Camp David Accords • 1977 – Pres. Anwar el-Sadat of Egypt – Prime Minister Menachem Begin of Israel • Signed at Camp David in United States – President Jimmy Carter • Israelis agreed to withdraw from the Sinai Peninsula • Egypt agreed to end state of war and establish peace with Israel • Election to be held in West Bank and Gaza

Reaction • • • Mixed Arabs felt Egypt had deserted the Arab family Israelis took “wait and see” attitude President el-Sadat was assassinated Three unresolved Issues 1. Control of East Jerusalem 2. Fate of the 1. 8 million Palestinians living on the West Bank 3. Control of the Golan Heights

Intifada • Dec 1987 • Uprising of Palestinians over the way they were being treated, lack of country, high unemployment, refugee problem etc • Focused world attention • Organization – Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) – Dedicated to regaining Palestinian territory – Chairmen Yasir Arafat • Some joined radical Palestinian organizations – Hamas and Islamic jihad – These groups call for the destruction of Israel

Oslo Accords • 1993 • Hopes for peace • Meet in secret – Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin of Israel and PLO leader Yasser Arafat – First time face to face • Agreed to – recognize each other – Israelis right to exist – PLO promised to stop attacking Israel – Palestinian Authority would administrated the territory under its control – they have their own state! – Israel would withdraw its forces from parts of the occupied territories (Gaza Strip and West Bank) – Israel would allow limited self-rule in Gaza and Jericho • Put Resolution 242 into effect

Road Map for Peace • Presented in Sept 2002 • Players – Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas – Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon – United States President George W. Bush • Called for – End of terrorism by the Palestinians – Palestinians must make democratic reforms – Israel must accept Palestinian gov – Israel must end settlement activity • It did not address – The fate of Jerusalem – The borders between the two • Derailed – Both sides claim the other did not go through with their promises

Arab Peace Initiative • Has a final solution to the borders – The UN set borders back in 1967 • Recognition of Israel • Israel must withdraw forces from the occupied territories • Recognition of a Palestinian States with capital at East Jerusalem • A “just solution” for the Palestinian refugees • Rejected by Israel but it is up for discussion

Peace Breaks down • Unresolved issues – 1. Jerusalem • Israel had made the city its capital • Sacred to all religions – 2. Right of Return • Palestinians who fled can return • Many not allowed to return – 3. Future of Jewish settlements in the Occupied Territories • Numbers of Jews has increased • Upset the Palestinians – 4. Allows Israeli troops to stay in the occupied lands

The Wall

Today the Palestinians want • Their own country • Part of Jerusalem • Their refugees to be able to return