Arab Israeli ConflictArab Israeli Conflict

1948-2014

The Kingdom of David and Solomon (1000 B.C.E.)

History of Conflict• Argument is that this land belonged to the Jewish people in Biblical times…before the Diaspora

• Jews began returning to this region in the late 19th Century ”Zionism”

Existence of Israel

The Jewish people believe this land is their birth right

Jewish opponents of Arab claims to the region say the Arab tribes have done little to improve the Holy Land during their occupation

1917 – Balfour Declaration: Britain allowed a Jewish Homeland

Zionist resettlement – implication of increased Jewish migration and access to this land.

Existence of Palestine

The land had been abandoned by the Jewish people.

Arabs had controlled land since fall of Roman Empire

Fall of Ottoman Empire led to Palestinian nationalist to call for independent homeland.

Continued settlement of Jewish people in Palestinian areas creates a situation where a Palestinian state cannot become a reality.

1st Arab Israeli War

Background of war comes from British and UN promises to set up Jewish homeland in Palestine

Partition set to go into effect on May 14, 1948

Arabs refuse to agree to plan

League of Nations Mandate for Palestine (1920)

British Alteration to the Mandate (1923)

UN Resolution 181

This was the original plan for Arab-Israeli partitions

Jerusalem was to be a UN controlled “open city”

The 1948 War

May 15, 1948 Arabs: Egypt, Syria, Saudi Arabia,

Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq Arab states outnumber Israelis, but lack

coordination All have designs on adding territory to

their nations

1948 War con’t

Fighting continued until Jan., 1949 Israel got all Palestine except West Bank

(Jordan) and Gaza (Egypt) Cease fire agreements drawn up between

Israel and all Arab nations involved No actual peace treaties signed

1956 Suez Crisis

Early 1950’s, Egypt begins blocking Israeli ships from passing through the Suez Canal

1956- Egyptian president Gamal Abdel Nasser nationalizes Suez Canal

France, Britain and Israel launch military attacks on Egypt.

1956 Suez Crisis

France and Britain gain control of Suez Canal

Israel conquers Sinai Peninsula and Gaza Strip

UN negotiates cease fire, takes control of Suez Canal

US pressures Israel to withdraw from Sinai and Gaza

Gamal Nasser

Egyptian president during Suez crisis

Six-Day War

June 5-10, 1967 Israel attacked Egypt and Syria in a pre-emptive

strike By June 10, Israel had control of Sinai Peninsula,

Gaza Strip and Golan Heights and West Bank Although Israel appealed to Jordan to stay

neutral, Jordan attacked Israel and lost West Bank

Six-Day War gains

Background of Yom Kippur War

After 6 Day War, Arab nations meet in Khartoum, Sudan

Khartoum Resolution: 3 No’s (no peace, no negotiation, no recognition of Israel)

Egypt begins random shelling and raids of Israeli positions in Sinai between 1968-1970.

Yom Kippur War

Anwar al-Sadat, President of Egypt

Assumes power after Nasser dies Sept. 1970.

Stops shelling and raids in Sinai

Begins planning attacks that will start Yom Kippur War

Yom Kippur War

Sadat tries to gain military co-operation from the Arab world. Only Syria’s Pres. Assad commits

Soviet Union supplying Syria with weapons and advisors, Egypt with weapons

U.S. continues to back Israel. Sadat’s continual threats against Israel

ignored: he does this too often.

Yom Kippur War

Israel warned of reality of Sadat’s war threats from multiple sources (including former enemy King Hussein of Jordan)

Ignored warnings Egypt and Syria launch joint attack in the

morning hours of Oct 6, 1973

Yom Kippur War

Egypt/Syria initially make huge gains By Oct. 14, Israel counterattacks and

reverses gains made by Syria/Egypt. Efforts by Soviets and U.S. to resupply their

allies almost leads to war between the U.S. and U.S.S.R.

By Oct. 25, cease fire negotiated. Israel reversed losses and made new gains

War’s Aftermath

Israel agrees to withdraw from Egypt and Syria (only 63 and 41 miles from respective capitals)

Israel agrees to pull back to Sinai and Golan Heights regions

POW’s exchanged

War’s Long-term Effects

Other Arab nations (OPEC) issue oil embargo against U.S. during war

Oils/gas prices jump by 300% in US: gas rationing

Fuel efficiency standards mandated for cars Alternative fuel sources sought Energy conservation programs begin

UN Res. 242

Arab states agree to Israel’s right to “live within secure and recognized borders free from threats or acts of force”.

Called for Israel to withdraw from territories conquered in 1967 war.

Used as basis for all Arab-Israeli negotiations

War’s Long-term Effects

Egyptian Pres. Sadat realizes he can’t afford more conflict with Israel

By 1977, Sadat says he’s ready to talk peace with Israel

Sept. 1978, Camp David Peace talks begin. 1979: Egypt become 1st Arab nation to sign

a peace treaty with Israel. Costs Sadat his life: assassinated in 1981

Recent Peace Plans

Oslo (1993): Set the framework for modern requirements for Palestinian state

Won Israeli PM Yitzhak Rabin and PLO leader Yasser Arafat Nobel Peace Prize

Lead to assassination of Rabin in 1995

Conflict Today

Peace process begins in earnest in 1993 at Oslo

Big disagreement over West Bank settlements and Jerusalem

Palestinian leadership split between Fatah (West Bank) and Hamas (Gaza Strip)

Current leadership: Israel: Benjamin Netanyahu, Palestine : Mahmoud Abbas

Current Peace Process

Problem (Palestinian): Conflict cause by creation of Israel

Moderate approach: Two-state system. Recognize Israel’s right to exist in exchange for Gaza Strip and West Bank

Extremists view: Destroy Israel to regain Palestinian lands

Current Peace Process

Problem (Israeli): Began in 1948 or 1967 (Six Day War)

Moderates: Give up some control of occupied territories (W. Bank, Gaza Strip, Golan Heights) in return for end to violence.

Extremists: No territory given up, or at most, Gaza Strip. Israel maintains sovereignty over all areas it occupies currently

Current Peace Process

U.S. viewpoint: Israel should give up some of land conquered in 6 Day War.

Palestinians must “actively” prevent violence against Israel

Palestinians acknowledge Israel’s right to exist From Clinton through Obama, U.S. presidents

hold view of Palestinian state out of current Palestinian territories

So what’s holding it up?

Borders/division of land Status of Jerusalem Israeli security concerns Palestinian concerns about West Bank

settlements Right of return (Palestinians) Years of longstanding negative emotions

Recent Peace Plans

Camp David Summit (2000): offered all of Gaza and 90% of West Bank as Palestinian state, but Israel keeps control of Jerusalem

Rejected by Arafat “Road Map for Peace” (2002): Put together by U.S.,

EU, UN and Russia Palestinians stop attacks on Israelis, Israel dismantle

settlements in West Bank/Gaza So far, only Israeli pull out of Gaza (2005), but are

increasing military presence in the area again

Situation in the West Bank

Recent Peace Plans

2010 direct talks: Champions two-state idea. Rejected by one of two main Palestinian groups,

Hamas, which controls Gaza Strip. Supported by Hezbollah.

Israel refuses any agreement until Hamas and Hezbollah recognize Israel’s right to exist

2012: last communication between Abbas and Netanyahu: Israel must stop settlements in West Bank to restart peace process