Israel-Palestine Conflict

By Alia Salam

OverviewThesisPersonal RelevanceThe Roots of the conflictZionismReligious SignificanceHistory OverviewThe War on GazaThe suffering of the PalestiniansThe struggle of the IsraelisUS AidMedia’s involvementConclusion

ThesisFor the past six decades, the world has witnessed the collective dispossession and ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people, and the leaders are afraid to take an initiative, but it is the time to expose the suffering of the Palestinian people to the Western World that is in some measure isolated by Media from the other half of the world.

Personal RelevanceAs a Muslim Lebanese American

Arab, I feel responsible to spread the awareness of this controversial and infinite issue that is often misunderstood and misinterpreted.

Religious Roots

David Schafer, “Origins of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict,” The Humanist, vol . 62, July/August 2002, pp. 14-18. Copyright 2002 by the American Humanist Association. Reproduced by permission.

Are Muslims anti-Semitic?

Abdulsalam. "Is the Quran Anti-Semetic?" Islam Religion (Apr. 2006)      Web. 12 May 2010. <http://www.islamreligion.com/articles/310/>.

“The term ‘Anti-Semitism’ has its origin in the ethnological theory that the Jews, as Semites, are entirely different from the Aryan, or Indo-European, populations and can never be amalgamated with them.  The word implies that the Jews are not opposed on account of their religion, but on account of their racial characteristics.”[1]

[1] Anti-Semitism. Gotthard Deutsch. The Jewish Encyclopedia.

Religious SignificanceFor Jews:

◦The land where Jacob lived with his children.

◦Their destination when Moses led escaping the Pharos in Egypt.

◦The land that witnessed the righteous kingdom of David and Solomon.

◦The place where Solomon temple was once built before being destroyed by the Babylonians.  

“Religious Significance." Palestine Remembered. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 May 2010.      <http://www.palestineremembered.com/Acre/Right-Of-Return/Story439.html>.

Religious SignificanceFor Christians:

◦Where Jesus (pbuh) lived◦The three churches that denote his

life.

www.Palestineremembered.com“Religious Significance." Palestine Remembered. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 May 2010.      <http://www.palestineremembered.com/Acre/Right-Of-Return/Story439.html>.

Religious SignificanceFor Muslims:

◦ Jerusalem was their first direction of prayers, and the place where their third shrine (Al-Aqsa Mosque) stands in which a prayer is worth 500 prayers.

◦ The site from which prophet Muhammad (pbuh) ascended to heaven in a holy night journey from Mecca to Jerusalem.

“Religious Significance." Palestine Remembered. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 May 2010.      <http://www.palestineremembered.com/Acre/Right-Of-Return/Story439.html>.

The Start of Zionism

19th century – Darwin’s idea of natural selection.

Anti-Jewish discriminationFormation of a Jewish homeland. The aims of Zionism:

◦to attain a Jewish majority in Palestine◦to acquire statehood

David Schafer, “Origins of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict,” The Humanist, vol . 62, July/August 2002, pp. 14-18. Copyright 2002 by the American Humanist Association. Reproduced by permission.

The Zionist Movement

1917: Balfour Declaration 1919: British mandate of Palestine 1922: White Paper

David Schafer, “Origins of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict,” The Humanist, vol . 62, July/August 2002, pp. 14-18. Copyright 2002 by the American Humanist Association. Reproduced by permission.

Zionism vs. JudaismZionism is not Judaism. Aggressive acts committed in the

name of Zionism are crimes and not religious imperatives.

Israel Versus Judaism . N.p., 2010. Web. 10 Mar. 2010.      <http://www.israelversusjudaism.org/>.

Zionist Leaders

“If I was an Arab leader, I would never make terms with Israel… This is natural, we have taken their country”(Ben-Gurion 1973).

"Now Jews behaved like NAZIS and my entire being has been SHAKEN. Obviously we have to CONCEAL these actions from the public” (Aharon Cizling ).

David Ben-Gurion

UN Partition Plan 1947UN General Assembly

recommends variant of UN Partition Plan:◦ 56.5% of Palestine to Jewish state ◦ 43% to Arab state with international

enclave around Jerusalem◦33 votes for, 13 against, 10

abstentions. ◦Arab representatives walk out

Peretz, Don. Library in a Book: The Arab-Israel Dispute. New York: Facts on File, 1996. Print.

Establishment of the state of IsraelIn 1948, Israel expanded to

occupy 78% (8,300 square miles)Palestinian state 22%

(2,310 square miles).

Peretz, Don. Library in a Book: The Arab-Israel Dispute. New York: Facts on File, 1996. Print.

Palestinian Loss of Land

The reaction of ArabsThe Arabs believed that their cause was

clear and just.The loss of Palestinian territory was a

humiliating blow to most Arabs. Refugees streamed into neighboring

countries

Wagner, Heather Lehr. People at Odds: Israel and the Arab World. Ed. Sally Cheney.

The First War 1948-9Five Arab Nations sent troops to

PalestineSuccess of Arab troops in the early

daysIsrael took advantage of weak

coordination 800,000 Palestinians fled their homesIsrael gained additional 2,000 square

miles including the West bank.6000 Israelis and 7000 Arabs killed

Wagner, Heather Lehr. People at Odds: Israel and the Arab World. Ed. Sally Cheney.

Al-Nakba

Bronstein, Eitan . “The Nakba." Palestine Remembered. Web. 12 May 2010.      <http://www.palestineremembered.com/Acre/Right-Of-Return/Story439.html>.

Racial Segregation WallBarak took away Jerusalem Established settlements in the West Bank.Built a segregation (apartheid) wall in the West bank

2002The Palestinian state came down to 11%.

Barghouti, Mustafa, Dr. “The Story of the Palestinian People.” ADC Convention.WRMEA. Web. 28 Feb. 2010. http://wrmea.org.

The War on GazaIsrael broke the ceasefire that

was agreed with Hamas.6 Hamas militants were killedHamas responded by firing

home made rockets killing 4.

"Gaza death toll from Israeli offensive exceeds 375 ." CNN 2 Dec. 2008.      CNN. Web. 11 May 2010. <http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/12/29/      gaza.israel.strikes/index.html#cnnSTCVideo>. McCarthy, Rory. "Gaza truce broken as Israeli raid kills six Hamas gunmen."      The Guardian 5 Nov. 2008. The Guardian/Observer Archive. Web. 10      May 2010. <http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/nov/05/      israelandthepalestinians>. " On PRC Conference, Norman Finkelstein: Israeli perpetrates war crimes in Gaza      ." PRC. PRC. Web. 11 May 2010. <http://www.prc.org.uk/newsite/ar/      centre-activities/conferences/      397-on-prc-conference-norman-finkelstein-israeli-perpetrates-war-crimes-in-gaza->.

Gaza War Cont.

"necessary and proportionate”“to improve the security situation in

southern Israel, and to facilitate peaceful living for the Israeli civilians living there.”

“People were not instructed to shoot at everyone they see, but they were told that from a certain distance when they approach a house, no matter who it is - even an old woman - take them down."

"Israel says Gaza war 'necessary' ." BBC. BBC, n.d. Web. 12 May 2010.      <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8177831.stm>.

The War on Gaza: Consequences

1,400 Palestinians were killed 5,400 Palestinians wounded 50,000 Palestinian homes were

destroyed or damaged 800 industrial properties and 200

schools damaged or destroyed, as well as 39 mosques and two churches.

23 Israelis killed (13 citizens) 80% crops in Gaza were destroyed About 50 UN facilities were

damaged Streets in some northern towns

were flooded with sewage"Israel says Gaza war 'necessary' ." BBC. BBC, n.d. Web. 12 May 2010.      <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8177831.stm>.

Settlement IssuesThere are 223 Israeli settlements in the West

Bank and Gaza Strip that leaves only 11% of land to the Palestinians.

24,145 Palestinian homes were demolished.

www.ifAmericansKnew.org

Under Prohibition

CheckpointsSeparation between

Gaza and the West Bank

Land destruction and/or confiscation

House demolitions and home raids

DisplacementHarassmentTorture of prisoners who

are held without trialHass, Amira. “Life under Prohibition in Palestine." Counter Punch (January 2007): Web. 5 Apr. 2010. <http://www.counterpunch.org/hass01222007.html>.

LIVING

Law of ReturnPalestinian refugees are

permitted to return to their homeland and have the right of citizenship.

Opposition to Palestinian immigration

Abu Sitta, Salman, Dr. "The Right of Return: a Basic Right." Palestine      Remembered. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 May 2010.      <http://www.palestineremembered.com/Acre/Right-Of-Return/Story439.html>.

A struggle of a Palestinian“The soldier who sat opposite me kicked me in the face. I feltintense pain and my nose bled. “Was it good?” the soldierasked after he hit me – referring to the kick. I confirmed, usinghis exact words (…) The soldier pushed me out of the jeep aswell and I too, fell on the ground. Then the soldier got out of thejeep, trod on my back, and beat me for about ten minutes, until Ifell unconscious. Just before I fainted, another soldier hadarrived and was beating Midhat. The two soldiers further verballyassaulted us, cursing us as well as Islam (…) After I managedto stand up, the two soldiers beat me again. Then thesoldiers allowed Midhat to leave and continued to beat me onmy waist and above my thighs for about 20 minutes (…) Duringthe last ten minutes, I was beaten while I was lying on theground. Then, the soldiers demanded that I stand up, removedmy handcuffs, and told me to lift the blindfold from my eyes. Atthat time, a soldier held a knife close to my neck while the othersoldier was beating me with the butt of his rifle on my back. “

Extract from Al-Haq Affidavit No. 4915/2009

Given by Muhammad Isma’il Abu-’Arqoub, a resident of Wadi al-

Shajina village, Hebron Governorate, West Bank

Suffer of Palestine’s Children An IDF sharpshooter admitted it was IDF policy to

shoot at children above the age of 12. Children are abused even when walking to school.

◦ “Early in the morning of November 22, five Palestinian children were blown to pieces by an Israeli mine or bomb as they headed to school in Khan Younis. The children were 6 to 14 years-of-age.”

◦ “On July 7, Khalil and twenty to thirty other children played soccer in the Yubneh Refugee Camp, in Rafah, near the Egyptian border. After they finished playing, the children sat on some mounds of sand near the border fence. Suddenly, Khalil's head burst into parts from a bullet fired by an Israeli soldier in a nearby observation post. The soldiers proceeded to unleash "intense fire" on the other children. Ibrahim Abu Susin, 10, and Suleiman Abu Rijal, 12, were badly wounded.”

Sharma, Sunil. “Suffer Palestine’s Children." Counter Punch (November 2001): Web. 5 Apr. 2010. <http://counterpunch.org/sunil1.html>.

The Palestinian Dream

Establishing an independent, democratic, and sovereign Palestinian state.

Build democratic modern state with rule of law.

Social justiceContinue to expand

existing solidarity movement with Palestine.Wagner, Heather Lehr. People at Odds: Israel and the Arab World. Ed. Sally Cheney. Philadelphia: Chelsea

House, 2002. Print.

A struggle of an Israeli“To be denied the freedom of walking down

the street without fear is a price that no civilian should have to pay. Take one’s little brother to a movie or one’s grandmother to a supermarket, potentially exposes all concerned to a suicide bomber. Our routine includes sitting in traffic because the road was blocked when a suspicious bag was found at a bus stop. Family members frequently call one another just to make sure they have reached their destination safely”(Oz 68).

The Jewish DreamTo establish a Jewish state where all

those sufferings and prejudice and discrimination would be free to live.

To practice their faith openly To govern themselves

Wagner, Heather Lehr. People at Odds: Israel and the Arab World. Ed. Sally Cheney. Philadelphia: Chelsea House, 2002. Print.

U.S. Financial AidU.S. gives Israel about

$3 billion annually◦ $1.8 billion in the

the form of military-financing loans to help supply Israel's armed forces

◦ $1.2 billion is in the form of direct economic aidAIPAC.org

WRMEA.org"U.S.-Israel Ties." Issues & Controversies On File. Issues & Controversies. Facts On File News Services, 7 Sept. 2001. Web. 2 Dec. 2009. <http://www.2facts.com/article/i0104320>. CRS Report RL33222: U.S. Foreign Aid to Israel, updated Jan. 2, 2008, plus the FY ’08 omnibus appropriations bill, H.R. 2764.

The Media – involved

Halsell, Grace. "What Christians should know about Israel." Australians for Palestine. Web. 10 Jan. 2010.      <http://australiansforpalestine.com/http://australiansforpalestine.com/halsell-what-christians-dont-know-about-israel>.

Media Filters

Jensen, Robert, Prof. "True Brainwashing Media." N.d. Video file.

The IP and the Media

Prof. Robert Jensen: Journalism, University of Texas-Austin, USA

Application: Stage 1SurveyInterview

Application: Stage 2Diversity Day

◦Palestinian Dance◦Middle-Eastern Food◦Arabic Writing Class◦Arabic Music Session

Application: Stage 3Jewish Muslim Peace Talk

Class Activity

Write your name in Arabic or Hebrew.

Works-Cited Simpson, Larry. “Analyze: Domestic and Foreign Policy: U.S. Support of

Israel.” ABC-CLIO: American Government: n. pag. ABC-CLIO: American Government. Web. 2 Dec. 2009. <http://www.americangovernment.abc-clio.com>.

"U.S.-Israel Ties." Issues & Controversies On File. Issues & Controversies. Facts On File News Services, 7 Sept. 2001. Web. 2 Dec. 2009. <http://www.2facts.com/article/i0104320>.

Beinin, Joel, et al. The Palestinians and the Disputed Territories. Ed. Neil Alger and Scott Barbour. Farmington Hills: Greenhaven-Gale, 2004. Print.

Peretz, Don. Library in a Book: The Arab-Israel Dispute. New York: Facts on File, 1996. Print.

Wagner, Heather Lehr. People at Odds: Israel and the Arab World. Ed. Sally Cheney. Philadelphia: Chelsea House, 2002. Print.

Congressmen. The American Israel Public Affair Committee. US Congress, 2 Dec. 2009. Web. 2 Dec. 2009. <http://aipac.org>.

Alrabadi, Meriana, and Richard H. Curtiss, eds. Washington Report on Middle Eastern Affairs. Andrew L. Killgore, 2009. Web. 30 Nov. 2009. <http://wrmea.org>.

"Al-Haq." Al-Haq. N.p., 2009. Web. 12 May 2010. <http://al-haq.org>.

Works-Cited Cont. Abdulsalam. “Is the Quran Anti-Semetic?” Islam Religion (Apr.-May 2006):

n. pag. Web. 12 May 2010. <http://www.islamreligion.com/ articles/ 310/>. Abu Sitta, Salman, Dr. “The Right of Return: a Basic Right.” Palestine

Remembered. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 May 2010. <http://www.palestineremembered.com/ Acre/ Right-Of-Return/ Story439.html>.

Barghouti, Mustafa, Dr. “The Story of the Palestinian People.” ADC Convention. WRMEA. Web. 28 Feb. 2010. <http://wrmea.org>.

BARROWS-FRIEDMAN, Nora. “The Nakba in Palestine.” Counter Punch (May 2006): n. pag. Web. 5 Apr. 2010. <http://www.counterpunch.org/ barrows05182006.html>.

“Gaza death toll from Israeli offensive exceeds 375 .” CNN 2 Dec. 2008: n. pag. CNN. Web. 11 May 2010. <http://www.cnn.com/ 2008/ WORLD/ meast/ 12/ 29/ gaza.israel.strikes/ index.html#cnnSTCVideo>. Journal

Halsell, Grace. "What Christians should know about Israel." Australians for      Palestine: n. pag. Web. 10 Jan. 2010.      <http://australiansforpalestine.com/http://australiansforpalestine.com/      halsell-what-christians-dont-know-about-israel>.

Works-Cited Cont. “Israel says Gaza war ‘necessary’ .” BBC. BBC, n.d. Web. 12 May

2010. <http://news.bbc.co.uk/ 2/ hi/ middle_east/ 8177831.stm>. “ Israel soldiers speak out on Gaza.” BBC. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 May

2010. <http://news.bbc.co.uk/ 2/ hi/ middle_east/ 8149464.stm>. Israel Versus Judaism . N.p., 2010. Web. 12 Mar. 2010.

<http://www.israelversusjudaism.org/>. McCarthy, Rory. “Gaza truce broken as Israeli raid kills six Hamas

gunmen.” The Guardian 5 Nov. 2008: n. pag. The Guardian/ Observer Archive. Web. 10 May 2010. <http://www.guardian.co.uk/ world/ 2008/ nov/ 05/ israelandthepalestinians>.

“ On PRC Conference, Norman Finkelstein: Israeli perpetrates war crimes in Gaza .” PRC. PRC. Web. 11 May 2010. <http://www.prc.org.uk/ newsite/ ar/ centre-activities/ conferences/ 397-on-prc-conference-norman-finkelstein-israeli-perpetrates-war-crimes-in-gaza->.

“Struggle in Israel.” Why Palestine: n. pag. Web. 5 Apr. 2010. <http://www.whypalestine.com/ 2009/ 12/ ethiopian-jews-struggle-in-israel.html#ixzz0kGqo1zmt >.

Picture Sources

http://www.hanini.org/pictures.htmlhttp://historyofisrael.infohttp://www.theholocaustreturns.com/

theholocaust/http://www.palestineremembered.co

m/OldNewPictures.htmlhttp://palestinetoday.org/gallery/http://Jewishappleased.org

ConclusionDespite the political dispute, Jews

and Muslims should be friendly to each other.