Conflicts in the Middle East

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Conflicts in the Middle East

• Israel and Palestine

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Israel becomes a State

• Palestine land consists of Israel, the West Bank
  and the Gaza Strip
• Jews set claim to these lands 3,000 years ago
• Palestine set claims after driving the Jews out
  around 135 AD
• Diaspora global dispersal of Jews
• Zionists return in the 19th and 20th century in
  hopes of reclaiming land
• Post WWII, UN creates a Palestinian state and
  Jewish state
• Given 55 of the land, only 34 of population
• US and many European nations sympathized due to
  the Holocaust
• All Arabs opposed the partition
• Israeli independence on May 14th, 1948

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Conflict

• Hostile Greeting
• Invaded by Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi
  Arabia, and Syria.
• Due to victorious Israelis, Palestinian land was
  lost
• 1956 War over the Suez Canal
• Israel defeated Egypt with GB and French aid
• World community forced Israel to leave
• Wars Continue
• Six Day War
• Fearing attack, Israel attacked Iran, Egypt,
  Jordan, and Syria and won the 6 day battle.
• Took control of Jerusalem, Sinai Peninsula, the
  Golan Heights, and the West Bank
• Yom Kippur War
• Egyptians surprise attack reclaim lands lost
  earlier, Israel counters and reclaims lands.

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Palestinian Liberation Organization

• Palestine had lost almost all its lands.
• 1964 PLO formed
• Armed struggle
• Yasir Arafat become its leader

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Efforts at Peace

• 1977, Sadat of Egypt extends a hand
• Asked for lands lost in the wars in exchange for
  peace
• Camp David Accords
• Egypt recognized Israel as a state in exchange
  for Sinai Peninsula
• Angered many Arab nations, Sadat assassinated

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• Tensions increase
• Anger still resounded in the West bank and the
  Gaza Strip
• Israel began invading Palestinian strongholds
• 1987, Intifada begins
• Oslo Peace Accords
• Palestinians granted self rule in West bank and
  the Gaza Strip

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Peace Slips Away

• Ariel Sharon visits Temple Mount in Jerusalem,
  holy both to Jews and Muslims
• Angers many Muslims, 2nd Intifada begins
• Conflict intensifies
• Killings and destruction greater than ever before
• Peace?
• An Israeli and Palestinian State

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