Exploring Middle East Conflict Israel & Palestine General Overview A decades old conflict between two religious-national groups A decades old conflict between two religious-national groups Palestinians Israelis Arab Muslim Jewish Fundamentals The cornerstone of the conflict is related to land, in particular, who claims modern day Israel both sides have claims The cornerstone of the conflict is related to land, in particular, who claims modern day Israel both sides have claims Causes of War Both sides claim jurisdiction over the land Both sides claim jurisdiction over the land The land has significant religious implications for two of the worlds largest religions The land has significant religious implications for two of the worlds largest religions Islam & Judaism A Shifting Land For centuries the Holy Land known as Palestine - fell under the rule of various empires. For centuries the Holy Land known as Palestine - fell under the rule of various empires. Slowly, Arab groups consolidated control Slowly, Arab groups consolidated control The Ottoman Empire I did this thing on the Ottoman Empire. Like, what was this? A whole empire based on putting your feet up? Jerry Seinfeld Anti-Semitism By the turn of the century, Anti-Semitism was a global problem By the turn of the century, Anti-Semitism was a global problem To resist, new political movements emerged to advocate for Jewish rights To resist, new political movements emerged to advocate for Jewish rights Significant Terms Zionism - Nationalist movement founded by the Jewish journalist Theodor Herzl. He argued that the best way of avoiding anti- Semitism in Europe was to create an independent Jewish state in Palestine. By 1905 thousands of Jews were moving to Palestine Colonial Implications: The Role of Britain As WWI came to an end Palestine was under British control As WWI came to an end Palestine was under British control The British made promises to several groups regarding the future of the land: The British made promises to several groups regarding the future of the land: A) Arabs B) Jews C) French The Balfour Declaration Page 357 in your text book Page 357 in your text book Balfour Implications Jewish immigration to Palestine rapidly increases Jewish immigration to Palestine rapidly increases Balfour Becomes BMP British Mandate for Palestine British Mandate for Palestine Official policy of support for Jewish land claims in Palestine Official policy of support for Jewish land claims in Palestine At this point only the Brits are largely supporting Zionism At this point only the Brits are largely supporting Zionism The Holocaust 6 million European Jews killed 6 million European Jews killed Worldwide anti-Semitism Worldwide anti-Semitism Guilt spreads globally Guilt spreads globally Post WW2 Developments The tragic events of WW2 (The Holocaust) resulted in a global awareness of the Zionist Movement The tragic events of WW2 (The Holocaust) resulted in a global awareness of the Zionist Movement U.S President Harry Truman & PM Churchill lobbied heavy support for the Zionist cause U.S President Harry Truman & PM Churchill lobbied heavy support for the Zionist cause Starting in 1947, explain how Israel became a formalized state. What was the reaction from neighboring Arab states? Starting in 1947, explain how Israel became a formalized state. What was the reaction from neighboring Arab states? May 1948 With support from England & USA, Israel declares itself the official Jewish homeland With support from England & USA, Israel declares itself the official Jewish homeland Israel is now recognized Jewish homeland Israel is now recognized Jewish homeland Arab citizens revolt and civil war erupts (1948) Arab citizens revolt and civil war erupts (1948) Jews still maintain a minority of the population Jews still maintain a minority of the population Arab Response Almost immediately, the armies of Egypt, Lebanon, Syria & Iraq mobilize Almost immediately, the armies of Egypt, Lebanon, Syria & Iraq mobilize Amazingly, Israel defends its newly claimed territory. Amazingly, Israel defends its newly claimed territory. Arab/Israeli Wars Group 1 War of Independence Group 2 Suez Crisis Group 3 6 Day War Group 4 Yom Kippur War Group 5 1 st Intifada Arab/Israeli Wars You mission: - Create a multi-media presentation that provides an overview of your conflict. Please limit your examination to 4 slides Slide 1 Brief background on the conflict Slide 2 Description of the actual conflict Slide 3 Outcome of the conflict Slide 4 Consequences of the outcome Themes of Conflict IDF combat competency IDF combat competency Reduction of Arab land Reduction of Arab land Increased Western support Increased Western support Terrorism on both sides Terrorism on both sides The 6 Arab-Israeli Wars 2) The 1956 Suez Crisis Egypt is under control of Gamal Nasser who seized power in a bloodless coup in 1954 Nasser was a firm believer in Pan Arab Nationalism and a staunch opponent of the Zionist Movement Nasser Viewing western influence as detrimental to Arab interests, Nasser began a rapid program of nationalization His most noted act of nationalization came when he seized control of the Suez Canal (a very important shipping lane) Response A tri-lateral force of England, France & Israel invades Egypt in an attempt to take back the Suez Canal Canadas Role F.A Minister Pearson urges restraint F.A Minister Pearson urges restraint Proposes a Peacekeeping force Proposes a Peacekeeping force United Nations Emergency Force was deployed to the Sinai Peninsula United Nations Emergency Force was deployed to the Sinai Peninsula Remain there until 1967 Remain there until 1967 3 rd Arab Israeli War 6 Day War May 1967, Egypt expels the UNEF from the Sinai Unilaterally closes the Straits of Tiran and amasses troops on the Sinai Jordan & Syria follow suit Egypt and Jordan enter into a collective defense agreement continued Israel Reaction Before the advances of Egypt and Jordan, Israel launches a pre-emptive strike against the Egyptian air force completely destroying it Israels intelligence service MOSSAD is used heavily for intel War at Jerusalem Arab forces invade Jerusalem but are quickly pushed back Gaza Strip, West Bank, Golan Heights 41 kilometers (25 mi) long, and between 6 and 12 kilometers (47.5 mi) wide, with a total area of 360 square kilometers (139 sq mi). West Bank Yom Kippur October 1973 Egypt & Syria once again invade Israel in an attempt to vindicate the disastrous 6-Day-War Yom Kippur is a Jewish religious observance Israel, once again, defeats invading military and captures large portion of Golan Heights Golan Heights Aftermath Nuclear showdown b/t Superpowers ( Nixon vs. Brezhnev) Anwar Sadat asks for Soviet help Israel captures large portion of Golan Heights New American President arrives on the scene: The Road Map Carter hoped his legacy would be defined by an end to the Middle East Conflict His efforts culminated in the Camp David Accords Camp David Fails Despite a series of promises made, neither side could agree on a path for peace Despite a series of promises made, neither side could agree on a path for peace Core issue was forced resettlement of Palestinians Core issue was forced resettlement of Palestinians Intifada - Resistance In the lead up to Yom Kippur the Jewish govt actively re-settled thousands of Arabs Lead to the formation of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) in 1967 The PLO pushes for Intifada uprising all Palestinian people resist Israeli in any manner they can How to Resist? As the 1970s rolled into the 1980s the PLO waged various resistance campaigns As the 1970s rolled into the 1980s the PLO waged various resistance campaigns Terrorism was a fixture Terrorism was a fixture Black September & the Munich Olympics 11 Israeli athletes killed Black September & the Munich Olympics 11 Israeli athletes killed Role of Religion Muslim Arabs linked oppression in Palestine with the concept of Jihad (Struggle or war) Muslim Arabs linked oppression in Palestine with the concept of Jihad (Struggle or war) Dawson Field Hijackings 4 planes hijacked in Jordan Dawson Field Hijackings 4 planes hijacked in Jordan Violence becomes a daily occurrence in Israel Violence becomes a daily occurrence in Israel Religious mandate to fight against the infidel Religious mandate to fight against the infidel The Net Tightens Israel significantly restricts the movements of Palestinians Israel significantly restricts the movements of Palestinians Gaza and the West Bank become military zones Gaza and the West Bank become military zones Documentation needed / search and seizure permissible Documentation needed / search and seizure permissible Israel slowly creates additional settlements Israel slowly creates additional settlements A Road with no Destination From Intafada 1 to Intafada 2 several attempts at peace are made From Intafada 1 to Intafada 2 several attempts at peace are made Deals focus on land for peace Deals focus on land for peace 2 major road blocks 1) Palestinian terrorism 2) Israeli land grabs and restrictions Israel 2014 The PLO has lost its influence and splintered The PLO has lost its influence and splintered Palestinian Authority FatahHamas ModerateMore Radical Restriction Israel has erected Berlin-like walls around Gaza Israel has erected Berlin-like walls around Gaza Shelling is a regular occurrence (concern with population density) Shelling is a regular occurrence (concern with population density) 2 State Solution Peace talks now focus on a 2 state plan Peace talks now focus on a 2 state plan Palestine & Israel Palestine & Israel No formalized plan so far No formalized plan so far Canada The Harper government is a staunch supporter of Israel The Harper government is a staunch supporter of Israel Condemns Hamas Condemns Hamas Canada sends millions in aid to Israel every year most spent on military Canada sends millions in aid to Israel every year most spent on military The Road to Peace The Case for Israel 1937 Peel Commission UN Resolution 242 Land For Peace The Current State You Tell Me: What is the current state of the Israel/Palestine conflict? Summarize events from No End in Sight Continued loss of Palestinian territories Military control Siege of Gaza Growth of Hamas and Hezbollah Palestinian Authority Two State Solution Mess-o-Potamia Name of the peace plan during the post Intafada era but pre-Obama A) Land for peace B) 2 state solution C) Guns for land Nassers plan to combat Zionism Nassers plan to combat Zionism A) Muslim Solidarity B) Pan Arab Nationalism C) Islamic Jihad Name of the failed 1993 peace deal Name of the failed 1993 peace deal A) Norway Agreement B) Potsdam Conference C) Oslo Accords Group responsible for Munich Massacre Group responsible for Munich Massacre A) Al Qaeda B) Black September C) Al Shahaab Controlling Gaza Strip government Controlling Gaza Strip government A) Fatah B) PLM C) Hamas Who is to blame? Who is to blame? A) Israel B) Palestine C) Combination of both D) USA and UK