International

Relationship
Palestine Issue
Submitted by: M ibrahim
Roll No: MF 1976
 Introduction
• Claims to the land Israelis Jewish people with the religious and historical ties
to the land. Palestinians Muslim Arabs with religious and historical ties to the
land.It’s the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians which began in the
early 20th century. It is believed the very same conflict is the reason for a lot
of struggles throughout Middle east. Major part of terrorism in middle east
is fueled by the Israel – Palestine issue.
 1947 The U.N Partition Post- WWII,
• Britain sends the issue to the United Nations U.N. partitioned British-
controlled Palestine into Arab and Jewish states. Results: Jews accepted
partition plan & were happy. Received 55% of land even though they had
only 34% of the population All Islamic countries voted against it and
Palestinians rejected it outright World supported it because they felt bad
about the holocaust.
 1947 British Withdrawal
• British withdraws from Palestine. United Nations approves the partition of
British- mandated Palestine into a Arab state and a Jewish State. Accepted by
Israel, but not by Palestinians as it was considered highly illegitimate with
Israel given larger swaths of land. Neighboring Arab states launched a
ground invasion to crush the Israel state which it was able to defend with the
help from West.
 1948 First Arab-Israel War
• May 15, 1948 – Israel declared itself an independent state. Led to first Arab-
Israel War. Israel immediately attacked by five Arab countries.
• Egypt
• Syria
• Jordan
• Iraq
• Lebanon
 1967 The Six Day War
• Israel launched surprise attack to destroy Egyptian and Syrian air forces.
• Took control of the Sinai Peninsula.
• Drove Jordanian army out of the West Bank.
• Took control of strategic position of Golan Heights in Syria.
 Results of Six Day War
• Israel captured this territory in 1967:
• Golan Heights from Syria.
• West Bank and East Jerusalem from Jordan.
• Sinai Peninsula and Gaza Strip from Egypt.
 Rise of The PLO (Palestinian Liberation
Organization)
• Yasser Arafat’s group, Fatah , took control of the PLO (1969).
• Actions – Under Arafat, PLO fought a decades long guerilla war against
Israel to “liberate Palestine.”
• Goals: Destruction of Israe.l and establishment of secular Palestinian state.
 1973 Yom Kippur War
• Egypt and Syria attacked Israel on Jewish holy day.
• Israel repelled attack and cease fire declared.
 2008- Present War in Gaza
• Almost daily rocket attacks against Israeli towns provoked Israeli air strikes
and ground assault against Hamas in Gaza.
• Three week long war killed 1,400 Palestinians and 13 Israelis.
• Both sides accused of war crimes(deliberately targeting civilians) and Israel
widely criticized for using excessive force.
 UNRESOLVED ISSUES
• Unresolved Issue # 1:- Permanent Borders of Palestinian State
• Palestinians want Israeli withdraw to pre- 1967 borders and establishment of
independent Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza.
• Israel still occupies and controls parts of the West Bank.
• 300,000 Jewish settlers now live in West Bank and Israel has annexed some
West Bank territory.
 UNRESOLVED ISSUES
• Israel West Bank Settlements
• 21. Peace Process Stalled Over Settlements
• Palestinians insist that Israel halt expansion of all settlements before they’ll
return to peace talks.
• Current Israel government has so far refused.
• Obama has backed off demands for complete halt to construction.
• Palestinians have accused U.S. of “backpedaling” on settlement issue.
 UNRESOLVED ISSUES
• Unresolved Issue # 2:-Palestinian Refugees and Right of Return
• Four million displaced Palestinians today living in refugee camps in occupied
territories and neighboring Arab states.
• Palestinians want refugees or their descendants to be able to return to
homes they lost in 1948.
• Israel has rejected idea of refugees returning to Israel. Would threaten
existence of Israel as a Jewish state.
 UNRESOLVED ISSUES
• Unresolved Issue # 3:-Control of East Jerusalem
• Palestinians want East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state.
• Israel has annexed East Jerusalem and has vowed it will never give it up.
• Residents of East Jerusalem mostly Palestinians, but 250,000 Israelis now
live there as well.
 HOW CAN PEACE BE ACHIEVED?
• Israel – Palestine Resolution.
• Sharing Process.
• Mutual Religious tolerance.
• Thank you