Transcript Israel Palestine Conflict

Warm UP
•What would you do if your brother, sister, or other
family member came into the room later today and said
that you have to make room for them and their stuff or
find another place to sleep?
•Who should get the room?
•Suppose you got pressured?
•How could you solve the problem peaceably?
Palestine – Israel
http://vimeo.com/50531435
At the heart of this conflict is a dispute over land and borders.
Why do Christians, Muslims and
Jews all have claim to this land?
• Christianity: Major events of Jesus’ life
took place
• Islam: Jerusalem is considered the 3rd
holiest city b/c where Muhammad ascended
into heaven
• Judaism: Historically been labeled as their
“holy land” b/c God gave it to them
The land of Palestine was inhabited by Palestinian Arabs
400,000 Muslims – 80%
75,000 Christians – 15%
25,000 Jews – 5%
1850
For centuries these groups had lived in harmony
1947 – The UN gets involved
• In the aftermath of WWII and the Holocaust
the UN gave 55% of Palestine to a newly
created Jewish State – Israel
– Jews were 30% of the population and owned
only 7% of the land
1948: Arab Israeli War
• Jews declared an independent state of Israel
within the boundaries prescribed by the UN
resolution.
• Next day Arab Muslims declared war.
• Israel conquered 78%
of Palestine
• Created nearly 1 million
Palestinian refugees
• Over 400 towns and
villages were destroyed
• Every city, river, and
hill received a new
Hebrew name
• Denied the existence of
Palestine
Brief Historical Background
1967: Six Day War
• Israel (Jews) conquered more land by launching a
highly successful attack
• Occupied additional 22% of Palestine – The West
Bank and the Gaza Strip
Recognizing the Two Sides
The Palestinian Side:
• Fear of Dispossession / 20th Century Jewish
Immigration- taking over land in the West Bank
• Fight against Israel led by the PLO (Palestine
Liberation Organization)- leader Yassir Arafattried to gain more political power
• Spiritual connection to the Holy Land
Recognizing the Two Sides
The Jewish Side:
•
•
•
•
History of Jewish Persecution
Holocaust
Israel as Jewish ‘Safe Haven’
Spiritual connection to the Holy Land
The Composition of the Holy
Land
Source: 2003 CIA World Fact Book - Palestine data consists of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Economic Comparative Analysis
In the land between the Mediterranean sea and the Jordan river…
Israel
GDP
Per Capita
Annual Budget
UN HDI Rank
$117.4 Billion
$19,500
$45.1 Billion
22 out of 177
Palestine
GDP
Per Capita
Annual Budget
UN HDI Rank
$2.4 Billion
$700
$1.2 Billion
102 out of 177
Unemployment 1 out of 2
Growth rate -18%
Unemployment 1 out of 10
A Palestinian
has-0.8%
to work for 28 years to earn what an Israeli does in one year
Growth rate
Sources: United Nations 2004 Human Development Index (HDI), 2003 CIA World Fact Book.
Military Comparison
Israel
Main Battle Tanks
Combat Aircraft
Artillery
2001 Military Expenditures
Official Active Forces
–
–
–
–
–
3,950
438
1,542
$10.1 billion
167,600
Palestine
0
0
0
$85 million
35,000
Israel continues
to maintain tens of
thousands of troops
in the West Bank and
Gaza – Israel invaded
and occupied those
areas in the
1967 war
Source: Center for Strategic and International Studies
“We can argue with the Palestinians about who’s to blame; but about who is suffering worse – there is no
argument. They are a destitute nation living in an elaborate prison under the guns of the Israeli army.”
Jerusalem Post Editorial, March 3, 2004
The Path of the Israeli Barrier
The barrier’s path has been projected
to annex between 7% – 45% of
Palestinian land. This will:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Completely surround 100,000 people
in 42 towns
Reduce the available water supply by 1
billion gallons
Confiscate hundreds of thousands of
acres of land
Severely restrict travel to jobs,
hospitals and schools
Adversely affect 4 out of 10
Palestinians
A Look at the Israeli Barrier from
Space
Before
After
CLOSE UP: Qalqilyah was a relatively rich Palestinian town, nicknamed the ‘bread basket.’ After
the Wall was constructed around it the cost of shipping goods has tripled. Consequently, 600
stores have been forced to close and now 75% of the town’s 40,000+ residents depend on
humanitarian assistance from overseas.
The Israeli Barrier on the Ground
Archbishop Pietro Sambi, of Jerusalem said the wall, “cuts in half monasteries, convents,
churches and cemeteries.” The pictures above are of the wall in Bethlehem
Homework
• Explain one reason why religious conflicts
occur. (Social, Political, Economic)
• Is it only that religious ideologies disagree,
or is geography involved?
• How do you think religious conflicts can be
resolved?
• Typed- ½ Page