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Although the circumstances surrounding each of these conflicts were unique, some general regional issues have contributed to the conflicts. These regional issues include the presence of huge oil reserves, the growth of Islamism, and the conflict between Israel and its neighbors.
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Since Israel was established in 1948, most Middle Eastern countries have refused to recognize its rights to exist. some countries have repeatedly attacked Israel and funded militant groups that conduct raids and terrorist attacks against Israelis.
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As Egypt and Israel made peace, Palestinian Arabs continued their struggle for nationhood.
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In 1967 Egypt demanded that the UN remove its troops from Gaza and the Sinai Peninsula. Egyptian troops then moved into the Sinai, and Egypt began to close off the Gulf of Aqaba, Israel's route to the Red Seal. Expecting a large-scale Arab attack, Israel decided to strike first.
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Until the late 1970's no Arab nation had recognized Israel's right to exist. Then, in the 1977, Egyptian president Anwar Sadat made a momentous declaration: Egypt wanted to make peace with Israel.
