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Emergence Of Zionism
In response to the widespread persecution of Jewish people all over Europe, in the late 19th century the political philosophy of Zionism emerged. Theodor Herz became known as the founder of modern Zionism and argued that the only way for Jewish people to be free from anti-semitism and for them to be able to control their own destiny was to have their own, Jewish, state. -
McMahon-Hussein Correspondence
The McMahon-Huessein Correspondence was a series of letters between the British govermnment and the Sharif of Mecca. The letters promised that in return for Arab support in fighting the Ottoman Empire, land previouslt held by the Turks would be returned to Arab nationals living in the Israel area. -
Sykes-Picot Agreement
This was a secret agreement between France and Britain to divide up the land conquered from the Ottoman Empire after World War 1. The French and the British promised each other control of certain countries until the native people were ready to 'lead themselves'. However, this agreement was seen as an attempt to colonise the Middle East as many of the poeple living in the conquered contries were able to govern themselves. -
Balfour Declaration
The Balfour Declaration was a declaration made by the British government. The declaration committed to supporting the creation of a Jewish state in the territory of Palestine. This directly contradicted the Balfour Declaration of 1915. This was seen as a huge victory for the Zionist movement -
United Nations Partition Plan
In the aftermath of World War 2 there was significant sympathy for the Jewish struggle and therefore support for the Zionist cause. This meant many people internationally supported a Jewish state in Palestine. The task of creating a Jewish state was given to the newly formed United Nations. The United Nations created Resolution 181 which created a Jewish state for 33% of the population and 55% of the land and an Arab state for 67% of the population and 455 of the land. -
Establishment Of Israel
In May 1948 David Ben-Gurion, the head of the World Zionist Organisation, proclaimed the establishment of the State of Israel. The same day, Israel was recognised by U.S. President Harry S. Truman. many other countries followed suit in the following days and weeks. By this time, 175,000 Palestinians and Arabs had already fled the territory and hundreds had been extrajudicially killed by Zionist forces. -
Arab-Israeli War of 1948
The Arab states of Egypt, Jordan, Iraq and Syria entered Palestine in a show of Arab solidarity. A 10-month war ensued between Israeli and Arab forces. As a result of the war, Israeli conquered large amounts of Palestinian territory. Jordan captured the West Bank area and Egypt began occupying the Gaza Strip. 700,000 Palestinians fled the territories and 700,000 Jews immigrated to Israel. Many of the Jewish people migrating to Israel comprised of those who had been expelled from Arab land. -
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Nakba
The 1948 refugee crisis, where 700,000 Palestinians were uprooted from their homes is referred to as Nakba; the catastrophe. Currently, there are 7 million Palestinian refugees comprised of the 1948 refugees and their descendants. Refugees still have the deeds and keys to their houses. A core issue in the conflict is the "right of return", Palestinian refugees deserve compensation and to live in their original homes. Israel will not consider including the right to return in any solution. -
The Massacre Of Deir Yassin
Zionist forces attacked the Palestinian village of Deir Yassin. Over 150 men, women, and children died. Most were killed in their homes, only 7 were estimated to have died in combat. Journalists at the time reported mutilations of the bodies. The attack was condemned by the Haganah and The Jewish Agency For Israel but the event had effects on Israeli-Arab relations as Israel attempted to downplay its role in the attack but Arab leaders, such as King Abdullah believed and held them responsible -
Six Day War
Israel launched an air strike on the Egyptian Air Force in response to military build-up and a naval blockade which were interpreted as aggressive. This resulted in a war between Israel, supported by the United States and Syria, Jordan and Egypt. Israel captured the Sinai Penninsula, Gaza Strip, West Bank and The Golan Heights from the Arab nations. 500,000 Palestinians were displaced. Israel continues to occupy the West Bank and the Gaza Strip to this day. An estimated 20,000 people died. -
Black September
Black September was a Palestinian terrorist group responsible for the assassination of the Jordanian prime minister Wasfi Al-Tal and the assassination of 11 Israeli athletes during the 1972 Olympic Games. The 11 athletes were kidnapped and eventually killed. The terrorist group led to counter-terrorism measures in Europe and the Middle East. The terrorist group denied any ties to the PLO. The Israeli government ordered the assassination of all members of Black September -
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First Intifada
The first intifada was a Palestinian protest of the occupation, abuse, and settlement by Israel which forced Palestinians to become refugees or live as second-class citizens. It involved mostly peaceful demonstrations and boycotting Israeli jobs and products. Some attacks on Israeli's took place using rocks or other weapons. The Israeli military responded to both the attacks and demonstrations with heavy force. In the first 13 months, 332 Palestinians and 12 Israelis were killed. -
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Oslo Peace Process
A series of peace talks between Israeli Prime Minister, Yitzhak Rabin and head of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation, Yasser Arafat. As a result of the negotiations, the PLO recognised the state of Israel and renounced terrorism and Israel recognised the PLO as the representative of the Palestinian people. The Israel-PLO peace accord was signed, both powers agreed to recognise each other's political rights and strive towards peace. Both leaders received Nobel peace prizes for their efforts -
Creation of the Palestinian Authority
The Oslo Accords created the Palestinian Authority in 1994 whose functions would be limited self-governance over parts of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. They have control over some security and civilian issues in some areas of Palestine, however, Israeli settlements and some security and civilian issues are still controlled by Israel -
Assassination of Prime Minister Rabin
At a peace rally, supporting an end to the conflict between Israel and Palestine, a right-wing Israeli gunman who opposed the singing of the Oslo Accords assassinated Yitzhak Rabin. -
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Second Intifada
Frustration at the lack of progress made by the Oslo Accords, the lack of negotiation between PLO leader Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and a provocative visit to Temple Mount by Israeli opposition leader Ariel Sharon meant war broke out. Palestinians turned to suicide bombings, rocket attacks and sniper fire and the Israeli military responded with even greater force. Around 3,200 Palestinians 1,000 Israeli's died. The violence of this intifada made both sides skeptical of peace. -
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Separation Barrier
Since 2002 Israel has been building a 700km long separation wall around the West Bank. Israel authorities claim it is for 'security reasons', however, as it substantially deviates eastwards from the original boundaries of the West Bank by 10% it is considered a way for the Israeli government to take more land. -
Withdrawal From Gaza Strip
The last Israeli settlers and military personnel are removed from the Gaza Strip. However, Israel maintains full authority over the who has the right to enter and exit the Gaza Strip as well as full control over the airspace and coastal waters. -
Hamas
In January 2006, Palestinians voted the PLO out of office and Hamas into office, meaning they were in control of Palestinian affairs in the Gaza Strip. Israel attempted to stop their control by creating a military blockade within Gaza. Hamas is a militant political group who have called for the 'death of Israel'. They organise suicide bombings and rocket attacks, often killing Palestinian and Israeli civilians. They have renounced the PLO and the PA and there is little to no unity between groups -
Gaza Blockade
Israel has maintained a full military blockade of the Gaza Strip since 2007 after Hamas took control of Gaza in 2006. This means Israel controls nearly all aspects of life in Gaza, they have control of the airspace, coastal waters, supply water and electricity to Gaza, control the population registry and the tax and customs revenue. -
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Gaza War
The Gaza War was a three-week armed conflict between Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and Israel. Israel's reason for the war was to stop Hamas rocket fire into Israel and the weapons smuggling into the Gaza Strip. 1,400 Palestinians were killed; 900 civilians and 344 children. 13 Israeli's were killed; 3 civilians -
2014 Military Operation
A seven-week Israeli military operation from July to August in 2014 in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli government stated it was to stop Hamas rocket fire into Israel and stop the weapons smuggling into the Gaza Strip. 2,200 Palestinians were killed, 65% civilians. 66 Israeli soldiers were killed and 6 Israeli civilians. The United Nations estimates that more than 7,000 Palestinian homes were destroyed in the fighting and 89,000 were damaged, -
Bibliography
Anon. 2018 '1948 Palestinian exodus', wikipedia.org, viewed 27/9/18, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1948_Palestinian_exodus#April%E2%80%93June_1948
Anon, 2018, Deir Yassin Massacre, viewed 29 September 2018, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_Yassin_massacre
Israel: 50 Years of Occupation Abuses 2017, viewed 1 October 2018, https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/06/04/israel-50-years-occupation-abuses -
Bibliography part 3
Yitzhak Rabin 2018, viewed 4 October 2018, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yitzhak_Rabin#Assassination_and_aftermath
Israel profile 2018, viewed 4 October 2018, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-29123668
Historical Timeline: 1900-Present - Israeli-Palestinian Conflict - 2015, viewed 4 October 2018, https://israelipalestinian.procon.org/view.timeline.php?timelineID=000031 -
Bibliography part 4
Underwood, A 2018, The controversial US Jerusalem embassy opening, explained, Vox, viewed 5 October 2018, https://www.vox.com/2018/5/14/17340798/jerusalem-embassy-israel-palestinians-us-trump
Black September Organization 2018, viewed 5 October 2018, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_September_Organization -
Bibliography part 2
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica 2018, Six-Day War | Causes & Summary, Encyclopedia Britannica, viewed 1 October 2018, https://www.britannica.com/event/Six-Day-War
Beauchamp, Z 2018, What were the intifadas?, Vox, viewed 3 October 2018, https://www.vox.com/cards/israel-palestine/intifadas
Beauchamp, Z 2018, What are Israel and Palestine? Why are they fighting?, Vox, viewed 3 October 2018,https://www.vox.com/cards/israel-palestine/intro -
Jerusalem, The Capital Of Israel
The United States of America recognised Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and opened an embassy there. Palestinians and Israelis both have claims to Jerusalem and the site is holy to both Jews and Muslims. As a result, how to divide Jerusalem has been a significant issue in peace talks and conflict. Most countries have their Israeli embassies in Tel Aviv as it is considered more neutral ground. The embassy was opened the same time 60 Palestinians were killed protesting on the Gaza border
