Background:

Israel Population -

7 Million Major Religion –

Judaism Main Export –

Computer Software, military equipment, chemicals, agricultural products

GNI (Gross National Income) – US $21,900

Literacy Rate – 97.1%

Palestine Population –

4 Million Major Religion –

Islam Main Export –

Citrus; olives GNI (Gross National

Income) – US $1,230

Literacy Rate - West Bank 92.4% Gaza Strip 92.4%

Who are your neighboring countries? Once listed, circle those neighbors you have good relations with.

Israel Syria Lebanon Jordan Egypt

Palestine Syria Lebanon Jordan Egypt

Major leaders past and present Israel

Shimon Peres (president; current)

Binyamin Netanyahu

(prime minister; current)

Ehud Olmert (president; recent past)

Palestine Mahmoud Abbas(Fatah Leader; president; current)

Ismail Haniyeh (Hamas; prime minister; current)

Yasser Arafat (PLO; deceased; past)

Rawhi Fattuh (Hamas leader; past)

Since 1947 when the UN partitioned Palestine into a Jewish State and an Arab State, has your country LOST or GAINED land? Why? If LOST, how many people have become refugees (lost their homes and live in other countries?)

Israel Gained ALL land as a

result of Arab-Israeli Wars… especially 1967 Six-Day War!

Palestine Lost ALL land as a

result of a series of wars 1948;1967l 1973

Refugees: West Bank:

722,000 Gaza: 1.017 Million Total: 1.739 Million

Who does your country believe that Palestine belongs to? Is it Holy? If Holy, Name some Holy sites? Israel

Palestine belongs to Israel (Jews) Ancient homeland;

Rome’s DIASPORA removed them

(167 AD)!

Land is “birthplace” of Judaism…HOLY LAND!

Holy sites include: Jerusalem

Western Wall of the Ancient Temple Mount

(Holiest site for Jews)

Palestine Palestine belongs to

PALESTINE (Arabs) Controlled land since

the Diaspora

Prophet Mohammed “ascended to heaven” from here…Holy land for Islam !

Holy sites include: Jerusalem

Dome of the Rock al-Aqsa Mosque

Are your people free or oppressed? If oppressed by whom? Do you have violence and or terror

within your country’s’ borders? Israel

People are free: government is democratic

Violence occurs from Hezbollah and Hamas (Intifada; Rocket Attacks,

etc.)

Palestine People are

oppressed by Israel Overcrowded living

conditions; Water supply controlled

Unstable government (Terrorist/radical groups:

Hezbollah and Hamas VS Moderate group:PLO’s Fatah)

Violence from Israeli soldiers and/or bombings

How have each of the following effected your nation? Israel and Palestine - PEACE PLANS

Oslo- 1993 Israel will transfer GAZA STRIP and WEST BANK to the Palestinians Palestinians will stop INTIFADA

Camp David- 1978 Israeli will return the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt Egypt will accept Israeli’s right to exist Lasting peace between Israel and Egypt

Roadmap- 2003 take immediate steps to end violence and create the conditions for a

lasting peace. Israel must immediately dismantle Jewish settlements in occupied

Palestinian territories Palestinian leaders must immediately curb terrorism and take steps

toward a democratic, accountable government.

How does your country feel about groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and PLO? Israel

TERRORISTS – have made several

attempts to defeat Hamas and Hezbollah

Hamas and Hezbollah attacks (rockets) are why Israel has recently invade Gaza Strip, and in the past, Lebanon, etc.

Pre 1993 – PLO seen as terrorists…

Since Oslo Agreement – PLO seen as moderates to negotiate with

Palestine LEADERS –

Recently elected Hamas leaders to lead the gov’t on the Gaza Strip

Has allowed Hezbollah and Hamas violence towards Israel

Recent election shows PLO to have less support among Palestinians…seen as too weak towards Israel?

Is the U.S. your ally or an enemy? Does

the United States give your country aid? Israel

US is an ally USA does send aid

Palestine US is not an enemy

but the USA is not trusted because the USA has historically support Israel

USA has stated their support for an independent Palestinian state - 2003

USA does send aid