Name: __________________________
Ms. Fowler 10th Grade World Cultures
pd. ____
Arab-Israeli Conflict
Objectives:
I can…
- identify the key players and issues in the Arab-Israeli conflict.
- Examine the initial and ongoing causes of the Arab-Israeli conflict.
Background Directions: Read the following background of the conflict in
the Middle East over the region of modern day Israel and the occupied
territories.
Towards the end of the 1800s questions arose as to how the Jewish
people could overcome increasing persecution and anti-Semitism in
Europe. The biblical Promised Land led to a political movement, Zionism,
to establish a Jewish homeland in Palestine, in the Middle East.
From 1920 to 1947, the British Empire had a mandate over Palestine. At
that time, Palestine included all of Israel and today’s Occupied Territories,
of Gaza, West Bank, etc. The increasing number of Jewish people
immigrating to the “Holy Land” increased tensions in the region.
European geopolitics in the earlier half of the 20th century in the wider
Middle East region contributed to a lot of instability overall. The British
Empire, especially, played a major role in the region.
During World War I, in 1916, it convinced Arab leaders to revolt against
the Ottoman Empire (which was allied with Germany). In return, the
British government would support the establishment of an independent
Arab state in the region, including Palestine.
Yet, in contradiction to this, and to also get support of Jewish people, in
1917, Lord Arthur Balfour, then British Foreign Minister issued a
declaration (the Balfour Declaration). This announced the British
Empire’s support for the establishment of “a Jewish national home in
Palestine.”
As a further complication, there was a deal between Imperial Britain and
France to carve up the Arab provinces of the Ottoman Empire and divide
control of the region. The spoils of war were to be shared. As with the Berlin Conference where Africa was carved
up amongst the various European empires, parts of the Middle East were also to be carved up, which would require
artificial borders, support of monarchies, dictators and other leaders that could be regarded as “puppets” or at
least could be influenced by these external powers.
Name: __________________________
Ms. Fowler 10th Grade World Cultures
pd. ____
Arab-Israeli Conflict
Stations:
1. In your questions packet, locate the “Station” where you will begin.
2. Using the provided reading, answer the relevant questions in complete sentences.
a. Read each question carefully and make sure to cite specific evidence/actions/events that support
your answers. Be detailed with your answers.
3. You will have 5 minutes with each document set; use your time wisely.
a. Suggestion: write down notes to answer the questions based on the reading. Write the complete
sentences once you have gathered information.
4. By (DUE DATE: ____________) complete all questions.
a. If you do not finish in class, all readings will be available on Ms. Fowler’s website.
b. If weekend web access is limited, please print the documents before leaving school.
c. You may need to “Google” some of the people or groups mentioned in the questions. Use legitimate
web sources and cite your sources if you go beyond the readings.
5. Your answers must be original; do not copy and do not share your work with others.
Station 1:
1948: The State of Israel is Founded
1. What was the Balfour Declaration? What did it say?
2. The Balfour Declaration was in direct disagreement with an earlier agreement with Arab leaders. What did
that agreement state?
3. In 1947, the British handed the “problem of Palestine” over to the UN. What decision did the UN make and
how did the involved parties react?
Arabs did not. They called the declaration of the State of Israel "al-Nakba", the catastrophe.
Station 2:
1956: The Sinai Campaign
4. Which nations were involved in the attack on Egypt in 1956?
5. What was the alleged reason for the involvement of the European nations? What was the real reason?
Separating the warring parties; wanted to regain control of the Suez Canal (nationalized in 1956 by
Nasser)
Station 3:
1967: The Six Day War
6. Describe the causes of the Six Day war. Explain why Israel was victorious.
7. When the Six Day war came to a close, what territories had Israel gained as a result of the campaign?
Name: __________________________
Ms. Fowler 10th Grade World Cultures
pd. ____
Arab-Israeli Conflict
Station 4:
1973: October War/Yom Kippur War
8. The 1973 attack against Israel came on the holiest day of the Jewish year. What was the purpose of the timing
of the attack?
9. Who was victorious in this conflict?
Israel
Station 5:
1977-1979: Egyptian- Israeli Peace
10. The peace talks between Israel and Egypt led to Begin and Sadat sharing the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts.
What agreement was reached at Camp David?
11. Why did the Israelis target Lebanon?
12. What was the peace settlement between Israel and Lebanon?
Station 6: 1987: The First Intifada
13. Define intifada: “uprising”- the revolt of the Palestinian population in the occupied territories (West Bank and
Gaza
1993: Oslo Agreement
14. The Declaration of Principles called for a transition with regards to the occupied territories (W. Bank, Gaza).
Describe the transition.
15. Who were the representatives for the parties involved?
2000: Second Intifada
16. Why did the agreement made at Oslo not take hold? Who objected? What phenomenon emerged as a result?
17. What issues finally led to the breakdown of talks between Israel and the Palestinians?
Jerusalem and the future of Palestinian refugees
Name: __________________________
Ms. Fowler 10th Grade World Cultures
pd. ____
Arab-Israeli Conflict
Station 7:
2005 Gaza Withdrawal
18. Identify:
PLO –
Hamas: - Hamas is the largest and most influential Palestinian militant movement. In January 2006, the
group won the
19. Ariel Sharon experienced a change of heart with regards to the occupied territories. What was the result?
20. What groups struggled for power in Gaza? Which group was victorious?
2006: Lebanon War
21. Identify: Hezbollah -
22. Summarize the war between Lebanon and Israel in 2006.
Station 8: 2008 – 2012: Israel – Hamas War
23. What concessions did Israel agree to regarding the first cease-fire? What did Hamas agree to?
24. Why did the UNHCR investigate Israel? What was the result? (Explain from both the Israeli and Palestinian
viewpoints)
25. What is “Operation Pillar of Defense”? Why did the Israelis undertake this operation?
a 33-day war in which Hezbollah fired a hail of rockets into Israel and the Israelis bombed Lebanese towns,
villages and infrastructure but made little headway in ground operations.
Name: __________________________
Ms. Fowler 10th Grade World Cultures
pd. ____
Arab-Israeli Conflict
Bonus
Directions: Research the answers to each of the questions below to earn bonus points!
26. List the current Israeli Prime Minister, as well as 3 important historical prime ministers. Give a 1 – 2 sentence
description of why they are important.
27. List the current leader of the Palestinian Authority, as well as the former leader of the PA. Give a 2 – 3 sentence
description why the former leader was important.
28. Identify the major Palestinian militias, terrorist groups, or other organizations active in the Middle East today.