Review HIstory

Oslo Accords

A 1993 agreement between Yasser Arafat, representing Palestine, and Yitzhak Rabin, representing Israel. The goal was to reduce conflict between the two groups. Egypt would recognize Israel in exchange for self-governance of land that was won in the Six-Day War, including the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The importance of this moment is significance able to get gas as frequently; making long lines to wait, having special days to get oil, and having the US go through an economic recession. Fuel efficient cars started getting more popular, since they didn't need oil. It effected the world's economy.

Balfour Declaration

A letter from the British foreign secretary to a leader of the Zionists pledging Britain's support of the Jews creating a homeland in Palestine.

Land for Peace

An agreement for one country to give another land in exchange for peace.

Peace Treaty

An agreement that ends a state of war between two parties.

Embargo

An official ban on trade

First Intifada

Began when an Israeli military vehicle crashed into a checkpoint, killing four Palestinians and injuring. Complete uprising and resistance from the Palestinians (throwing rocks at tanks). Israeli settlements continued. Lasted from 1987 to 1991. Drew significant worldwide attention for the Palestinian cause. Also fuels more radical Palestinian groups like Hamas.

UN Resolution 242

Called for Israel to withdraw from conquered territories gained after the Six Day War, and the recognition and security of all states in the Middle East; countries failed to apply this resolution. Disagreement over the interpretation of this document has led to settlement building and tension.

Benjamin Netanyahu

Current Prime Minister of Israel

Partition

Division of territory into two states.

Hamas

Extremist Palestinian Group that rules the Gaza Strip. Part of their mission is to remove Israel and allow Palestinians to return to their homeland. Considered by many to be a terrorist organization.

West Bank Settlements

Following the 1967 War (Six Day War), the Israeli military occupied the West Bank. Soon after, Israelis started to settle in the West Bank (build neighborhoods, towns, etc.). Palestinian Perspective UN Resolution 242 called for Israeli to withdraw from territories occupied in the conflict. Hence, Israel is violating international law. Palestinians have to follow a separate set of laws, denying them of civil rights. This is undemocratic. Israeli Perspective Rightfully conquered the land from a nation that pledged its annihilation. The West Bank is needed a security buffer. If it was turned over to the Palestinians, extremist groups might use it as base to launch attacks against Israel. UN Resolution 242 is unclear. What territories?

The Gaza Crisis

Gaza is a densely populated strip of land that Israel turned over to the Palestinians in 2005. Hamas, an extremist Palestinian group that has pledge the annihilation of Israel, currently controls. The Gaza economy is dismal: 50% unemployment, 80% receive aid. Security around Gaza is strict, with little travel into or out of Gaza. Many nations have also issued an embargo against Gaza. Gazan Perspective The embargoes have made it difficult to establish any type of economy. Israeli security significantly limits opportunities. Building supplies are not allowed, so the only way to access goods is through smuggling tunnels. Call Israel's actions collective punishment. Israeli Perspective Hamas is a terrorist group. Goods that can be used to make weapons cannot be allowed into Gaza. Due to rockets being fired out of Gaza into Israeli neighborhoods, Israel needs the security measures to protect itself. The tunnels are used to smuggle in weapons and need to be destroyed.

imports

Goods that come into a country to be sold.

Bilateral

Involving two parties. Ex. Two states negotiate a deal.

War of Independence (1948)

Israel declared its independence in 1948, and the day after, five Arab countries, Jordan, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq, declared war on them. It was an amazing victory, as Israel was a new country facing against five other fully fledged countries. Israel was preparing for this war for years prior to this war, and they already had some military groups trying to break away from the British. There was a ceasefire declared by the UN and during that time Israel was able to strengthen their military force. Another factor: Israel was fighting for their existence. Arab states were disorganized.

Camp David Accords

Jimmy Carter got Menachem Begin and Anwar Sadat to sign a peace treaty at Camp David in 1978. The treaty entailed Israel giving back the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt and Egypt recognizing Israel as a country. This was the first peace agreement between Israel and an Arab state, as it is the first time Palestine and Israel officially recognized one another. Arafat and Rabin each received a Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts.

Mahmoud Abbas

Leader of Fatah

Yitzhak Rabin

Leader of Israel that signed the Oslo Accords. Was assassinated by an Israeli extremist.

Fatah

More moderate Palestinian group that has some autonomy in the West Bank. Uses diplomacy to effect change.

Zionism

Movement to create a Jewish homeland.

OPEC Oil Embargo

OPEC stands for Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. To punish the US for helping Israel, the Arab countries decided to embargo their oil shipment to the US. This resulted in a shortage of oil, a rise in prices, and economic recession. Also led to more fuel efficient cars/policy.

Fundamentalist

People that believe in a strict interpretation of scripture religion

Arab

People who are descendants from the Arabian peninsula. Often used to refer to the nations surrounding Israel.

Second Intifada (2000 - 2005)

Prime Minister of Israel, Ariel Sharon visits the the Temple Mount, surrounded by security. Palestinians take offense and launch another mass uprising.

1967 War

The 1967 war, also known as the six day war, was a war fought between Israel and Syria/Jordan/Egypt. The war began when Israel launched a preemptive strike against Egypt. Israel won in six days, and ended up tripling their land, including taking control of the West Bank.

Yom Kippur War

The Yom Kippur War happened from October 6th - 25th 1967. Egypt and Syrian Forces were attempting to take back the land that was taken from them in the six day war. It was a surprise attack on Yom Kippur, on of the holiest of Jewish days. Israel won this war, but it was not as decisive as previous conflicts.

Political Recognition

The formal act of treating a group as a nation

Autonomy

The right or condition of self-government.

Two-State Solution

When the Israelis would be able to keep their jewish demographic and allow the palestinians to be a state

Imperialism

Where a stronger nation rules over a smaller, usually colonial territory.

Yasser Arafat and the PLO

Yasser Arafat was the chairman of the Palestinian Liberation Organization which used guerilla tactics, terrorism, and diplomacy to disrupt Israel.Yasser later received a nobel peace prize in 1994 because of the Oslo Accords. The PLO still sort of exists today with most of its members belonging to Fatah.

Intifada

a massive Palestinian uprising against Israeli and their inhabitant in The West Bank.

Settlement

a permanent collection of buildings where people reside, work, and obtain services a place where a community is established. Ex. Israel builds settlements in the West Bank.

Extremist

a person who holds extreme or fanatical political or religious views, especially one who resorts to or advocates extreme action.

Exports

goods or services sent to another country

Terrorism

he use of violence and threats to intimidate or coerce, especially for political purposes.