ARAB-ISRAELI CONFLICT

Daily Objective: How does the Arab-Israeli affect me?

Why is there fighting??

History of Jewish claims to Palestine

Jews have a traditional claim to the land of Palestine

It is the land where their religion originated

Modern Jews claim that their ancestry goes back to the Ancient Hebrews

Jews were forcefully removed by the Roman Empire nearly 2,000 years ago

Arab Claims to Palestine

In the 7th and 8th centuries C.E., Muslim Arabs moved into Palestine.

They were the dominant group in Palestine until the 20th century.

They believe that Jews from Europe and North America have no claim to Palestine

A 2,000 year old claim does not trump a 1,500 year old Arab presence

The Balfour Declaration 1917

Great Britain issued the Balfour Declaration toward the end of WWI

The declaration was in response to pressure from Zionist organizations

Arthur J. Balfour, British foreign secretary

Religion, Economics, and Politics Clash: Israel and Palestine

Balfour Declaration, 1917

Goals of the Balfour Declaration1. Great Britain would control Palestine and

allow Jews to migrate there2. Encourage support from the Jewish

population for the Allied cause3. Ensure that existing Arab populations

would maintain independence.

Quick Check: How did British involvement influence the Middle East?

British Mandate of Palestine

Mandate: Area of temporary foreign control

Under British control, Jews began to move into Palestine

Some land was partitioned some was purchased

The real push came with the end of World War II

Palestine vs. IsraelPalestine -ruled by Great Britain until 1947-population is primarily Arab and Muslim-Britain gives control to UN when it can’t

control religious conflicts

Israel -became a modern state in 1948

-population is primarily Jewish

-David Ben-Gurion – later became 1st prime minister

Reason for conflict

1. Palestinians–Arabs Forced to move

– Lived in the area of Israel for 2000 years

2. Palestinians forced to live in camps to make room for Jews

3. Jerusalem is holy land to 3 major faiths

4. Jews and Muslims each want to control Jerusalem

Effects of creation of Israel

1. Palestinians became refugees in other countries throughout the middle east.

Map of Palestinian Refugees

According to the map, what was one result of the creation of Israel?

2. Terrorism is a constant threat in Israel

3. Israel builds a wall around Palestinian areas to prevent terrorist from moving into Israeli areas

Growth of Israeli Controlled Territories

ARAB RESPONSE?

Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, and Iraq immediately declare war on the state of Israel

Suez Crisis, 1956

• July 1956- Egypt nationalizes Suez Canal

• Israel, Britain, and France invade

• Goals:1. Britain feared lose of

canal access

2. Dislike of Egyptian Leader

3. Israel wanted more control

The 6 Day War• Egypt, with control of the Sinai

peninsula, formed defense agreements with other Arab countries– Jordan, Syria, Iraq– Also backed by Soviet Union

• Israel attacked Arab countries onJune 5th 1967

• Seen as a Preemptive war

Results:

1. Preserve the credibility of Israel

2. Proved military power

3. Control of the Sinai Peninsula, West Bank, and Gaza Strip

The Yam Kippur War, 1973

• One of the holiest Days for the Jewish Religion

• Surprise attack from Egypt (Sinai) and Syria (Golan)

• Essentially ended in a stalemate

• Israel lost credibility as a strong military presence

“Shock & Awe!”“Shock & Awe!”

Coalition forces attack Baghdad (again).

“Shock & Awe!”

The Dictator is “Toppled”The Dictator is “Toppled”

“Mission Accomplished”“Mission Accomplished”

President George W. Bush lands on board the USS Abraham Lincoln (May, 2003)

Saddam Is Captured!Saddam Is Captured!

December, 2003