The Israel-Palestine conflict

Jews and Arabs battle for the Holy Land in the Middle East

The Holy land

• Middle East lands…• N of Saudi Arabia• S of Turkey• E of Mediterranean Sea• W of Iraq

• Sacred land for three faiths:1. Christianity2. Judaism3. Islam

Phase one: The Ottoman empire

• 1882-1917• Ottomans rule Arab Territories,

including Palestine.• Disputes religious, not national.

• Arabs felt betrayed by the mandate system.

• This anger stirred nationalist feelings among the Arabs across borders.

But under the peace treaties, Arab lands became British or French mandates.

WWI

• During World War I, the Allies promised Arabs independence in return for help against the Ottoman empire.

Phase two: British rule

• 1917-1948• Britain oversees area after

Ottomans fall.• Jewish-Arab Conflict over• Palestine (Arabs)• Israel (Jews)

• Balfour Declaration (1917) • Goal to establish home for Jews in

Palestine.

Balfour declaration excerpt…

• His Majesty's government view with favor the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people, and will use their best endeavors to facilitate the achievement of this object, it being clearly understood that nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine, or the rights and political status enjoyed by Jews in any other country.

From 1919 to 1940, many Jews and Arabs migrated to Palestine. Tensions between the two groups developed.

• Jewish settlers set up towns, factories, and farms.

• Arabs attacked Jewish settlements, hoping to discourage immigration.

• In response, Jewish settlers established their own defense forces.

• For the rest of the century, Arabs and Jews fought over the land.

Phase three: Israel

• UN, US recognize Israel (1948) • 1948-1967• Holocaust

• Arabs attack• Separate• Israel• Sinai Peninsula (Egypt)• Gaza Strip (Egypt)• West Bank (Jordan)• Golan Heights (Syria)

Palestine liberation organization

• PLO, 1964• Arab League• To champion and control Palestinian

nationalism.

SIX DAYS WAR, 1967

• Egypt seizes Suez Canal, denies Israel access to Red Sea.• Israel surprise attack – Gaza Strip,

West Bank, Golan Heights, Sinai Peninsula• UN Resolution 242

• Israel withdraw from seized lands• Does not recognize Palestinian self-

determination

Israel, 1967

Phase four: Oslo accords

• 1967-1993• 1973: Egypt recaptures parts of Sinai

Peninsula and Golan Heights.• 1978: Egypt-Israel peace.• 1987: Intifada “uprising”• 1993 Oslo Accords

• Israel out of Gaza Strip• “Self-governing” Palestinian Authority.

Phase five: Palestinian authority

• 1993-2000• Israel alongside semi-sovereign

Palestinian Authority.• 2000 – Second Intifada

Phase six: Gaza strip

• 2000-2013• Continued tension.

• Jerusalem• Refugees• Settlements

• 2005: Israel leaves Gaza Strip• Palestine splits

• Gaza Strip – Hamas• West Bank -- Fatah

Arguments for Israeli state

• God’s promise.• Homeland 2000 years ago. Romans forced out.• Holocaust and persecution world support• Arab attacks in 1948 and 1967 – spoils of war• Intifadahs – surrounded by hostiles• Jerusalem – Wailing Wall (Jewish Temple)

Arguments for palestinian state

• Haven’t left for 2000 years! (Jews left)• We had a state 100 years ago.• We don’t have a state now!• Jews stole land in 1967 sneak attack.• Refugees homeless; rights violated in territories• Jerusalem – Temple Mount, Dome of the Rock