Part I: Background to the Arab-Israeli Conflict (1917-1947)

  • After the defeat of the ______Empire in World War I, the
    ______asked Britain to oversee ______(as part of a
    legal mandate) until it was ready for independence
  • Britain makes promises to both ______and ______, supports ______Declaration,
    yet realizes that the two sides could not live together
  • ______’s persecution of Jews spurs immigration to Palestine
  • ______accept the UN partition of Palestine, ______reject it, and ______
    declares its independence in ______

Part II: The following link should take you directly to the timeline feature of this online interactive:

The Arab-Israeli Wars (1947-1973)

  1. Explain the origins of the state of Israel. Why did the creation of this Jewish state generate so much hostility towards Israel throughout the Arab world?
  2. Explain how the UN proposed partitioning Palestine in 1947.
  3. Explain what happened the day after Israel declared its independence in May 1948.
  4. Who are the Palestinians?
  5. What was the PLO and what were its goals? How did the PLO go about trying to achieve those goals?
  6. How did the 1967 Arab-Israeli War begin?
  7. Identify and label the territories (1-4) captured by Israel in 1967 on the map seen to the right.
  8. What was Resolution 242?

Diplomacy and Intifada (1973-1993)

  1. Explain the significance of the 1978 Camp David Accords.
  2. What is Hezbollah? When and why was it founded?
  3. What is Hamas? When and why was it founded?
  4. Explain the First Intifada (1987).

Diplomacy and Radicalization (1993-present)

  1. Explain the 1993 Oslo Accords.
  2. What happened in October 1994?
  3. Explain the Second Intifada (2000).
  4. What happened in August 2005?
  5. What happened in January 2006?

Part III: Click on the “Parties to the Conflict” tab at the top of the interactive.

  1. Click on and read about “Fatah” and “Hamas.” Explain the difference between these two groups. What has their relationship been like over the last several years?
  2. Click on and read about “Refugees.” About how many Palestinian refugees claim refugee status? Where do many live? Why is it that the status of most Palestinian refugees is “unusual” in today’s world?

Part IV: 2012 UN Decision

As you did during unit 7, read and analyze the article titled “Palestinians win upgraded UN status by wide margin” (November 2012). Refer to the attached “notes” as needed and answer the questions that appear beneath (on the fourth page of the handout).