Middle East Review Arab Israeli Conflict

Middle East Review

Arab – Israeli Conflict Causes: n Jews migrate to Palestine in 1800’s and after WWII – Why? n HOLOCAUST n Creates strong support for Jewish homeland (They want their own country) n Who doesn’t support this? n The Arabs / Palestinians

Arab – Israeli Conflict Causes: n Conflicting British Policies n 1947 UN takes over and draws up a plan to split area into Arab and Jewish State n 1948 – Jews proclaim ISRAEL an independent state!!

Arab – Israeli Conflict What is the main arguments / conflict of both sides? n LAND!!! n Both Jews and Palestinian Arabs claimed a right to the land!!

What is Zionism ? n Movement to create Jewish homeland n Started in the late 1800’s n Gained support after WWII Holocaust

What was the Balfour Declaration? n British Document (1917) Conflicting Promises: n Promised Jews a “National Home” n Promised Arabs that they will be “protected” ONE OF THE MAIN CAUSES OF THE ARAB – ISRAELI CONFLICT!!!!

ALERT : REGENTS MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION!!!! Which statement best expresses the key issue in the continuing dispute between Israelis and Arabs? 1) Both sides have historic claim to the same land. 2) Other religious groups continue to claim rights to historic sites. 3) Israel has been denied access to water rights. 4) Control of oil resources in the area is essential to both groups.

Which statement best expresses the key issue in the continuing dispute between Israelis and Arabs? 1) Both sides have historic claim to the same land. 2) Other religious groups continue to claim rights to historic sites. 3) Israel has been denied access to water rights. 4) Control of oil resources in the area is essential to both groups.

What was the Suez- Canal Crisis? n n Nasser (leader of Egypt) takes over control of the Suez Canal (1956) Britain and France are not happy; Threaten to invade Brief war – Egypt maintains control Nasser was hailed as having achieved a victory for the Arab world!

What was the Six Day War ? n n 1967 Israel vs. Egypt, Syria, Jordan Who wins? n Israel (They’re still undefeated) n They gain the Occupied Territories: Golan Heights, East Jerusalem, West Bank, Gaza Strip and Sinai Peninsula

Higher level question: How long was the Six Day War? n Um, Six Days!!!

What was the Yom Kippur War ? n n n 1973 aka. October War Israel vs. Egypt, Syria Surprise attack by Arabs on Yom Kippur – they want their land back Who wins? n Israel (Remember - They’re still undefeated)

What were the Camp David Accords? n n n Peace agreement between Egypt and Israel 1978 at Camp David (U. S) Set up by President Carter , Anwar Saddat (Egypt), Egypt breaks from the and Menachem other Arab countries; Begin (Israel) Many Arabs are not happy!!!

Leaders at Camp David Menachem Begin n Israel Prime Minister 19771983 Anwar Sadat n President of Egypt n Assassinated in 1981

What does the PLO stand for? Palestinian Liberation Organization n n Waged guerrilla war against Israel/ Jews at home and abroad Used bombings, hijackings, and massacre of Israel athletes at the 1972 Olympics to gain attention

Who was Yassir Arafat? n n n Founder of the PLO President of Palestinian Authority 19962004 Very controversial leader – Some viewed him as a terrorist/ some viewed him as a hero/ freedom fighter.

Who was Mahmoud Abbas? n n Became leader of Palestine after Arafat Political party: Fatah

What is Hamas? n n n Terrorist organization (suicide bombers) Palestinian Islamist militant organization During the January 2006 elections, took control of the Palestinian Legislature

What is Hezbollah? n n Terrorist organization / resistance movement in Lebanon Anti-Israeli / Anti-Semitism

Who was Yitzak Rabin? n n n Prime Minister of Israel from 1974 -77 and 1992 -95 Signed Oslo Accords with PLO giving Palestinians in Gaza and West Bank some freedom Was assassinated in 1995

Who is Ariel Sharon ? n n n Israeli Prime Minister 2001 -2006 (He is currently in a coma) participated in the 6 Day War and Yom Kippur War Pushed for further peace with Palestine – Withdrew Israel (Jews) from the GAZA Strip (2005)

Revolution in IRAN (background): n n n Originally the Persian Empire 1921 1 st revolution Shah takes over During WWI USSR and Britain invade for Oil 1953 – Allies force new Shah into power 1979 – 2 nd revolution Ayatollah takes over

What did the Shah do for Iran? : n n Modernized the country – Made it more like the “West” Became more and more like a dictator From 1950’s to 1970’s became increasingly unpopular – He was rich and most of the population was not Was overthrown in 1979 by The Ayatollah

Who was the Ayatollah Khomeini ? n n n Takes control in 1979 Religious leader – Shiite sect Islam is the only law of the land – Sharia Runs the country as a dictator Iran becomes a Theocracy

Regents Review: What is a Theocracy ? n A government run by religion Example? IRAN

What is Islamic Fundamentalism? n n Movement/ Ideology which pushes for strict following of the Koran and Sharia(law) NO SEPERATION OF CHURCH AND STATE !!! – They believe that countries should be run by religion (ISLAM)

ALERT : REGENTS MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION!!!! One way in which the European Crusades, the Age of Exploration, and the Islamic Revolution in Iran were similar is that during each period 1) religion played an important role in political events. 2) imperialism led to an increase in traditional values. 3) self-determination encouraged policies of home rule. 4) weak central governments led to a return to feudalism.

One way in which the European Crusades, the Age of Exploration, and the Islamic Revolution in Iran were similar is that during each period 1) religion played an important role in political events. 2) imperialism led to an increase in traditional values. 3) self-determination encouraged policies of home rule. 4) weak central governments led to a return to feudalism.

Who is Saddam Hussein? n n Was the President of Iraq from 1979 -2003 Dictator – Harsh Rule Sunni party Secular (non. Religious) government Was originally supported by U. S. but is (was) now our enemy. n

Iran – Iraq war (1980 -88) n Saddam (Sunni) attacks Iran in 1980 – Did not like Khomeini (Shiite) - Did not like radical Islamic ideas n U. S. supports IRAQ n Saddam uses chemical weapons n War ends in a stalemate.

Invasion of Kuwait / Persian Gulf War I n n n 1990 – Hussein invades Kuwait Wanted to control Oil prices / control of Kuwait US gets involved – Defeats Iraq, but Saddam stays in power

Operation Iraqi Freedom n n 2003 – present U. S. led coalition forces get rid of Saddam – claim that he had WMD’s and other past abuses.

Turkey n n Mustafa Kemal Ataturk (1923 – 1938) modernizes the country Islamic nation – Progressive and somewhat democratic – “Friends with the West”

Afghanistan: Cold War n n n Soviets involved during the cold war “Their Vietnam” Communist government 19781992 Soviets withdraw 1988 -89 Civil war from 1989 -1992

Afghanistan: Who were the Taliban? n n In power from 1996 -2001 Extreme Islamic nationalists “Friends” of Al Qaeda US invades in 2001 – crushes the regime

Afghanistan: Today n “Democratic” government n Still very unstable n US led forces still there keeping order and searching for terrorists

What is OPEC? n n n Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Made up of mostly Middle Easter countries – Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Iran, Iraq, Venezuela, Libya, Nigeria, Algeria, indonesia CONTROLS THE PRICE AND PRODUCTION OF MUCH OF THE WORLD’S OIL !!!!

Current Events Iran – Nuclear weapon conflict Iraq – Push for democracy vs. insurgency Saudi Arabia – Support for U. S. vs. support for Muslim extremists OIL, OIL!!!!!