Chapter 28, Sections 2,3.

The Arab-Israeli Conflict

And

Literature and the Arts

In 1947 the UN decided to partition Palestine into Arab

and Jewish states.

Zionists agreed, but

Arabs resisted, as

they considered it a challenge to their right of

self-determination

.

Since 1948, there have been three more Arab-Israeli Wars. Israel has occupied lands

originally set aside by the UN for Palestinians.

In 1964, Palestinian leaders formed the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).

They wanted to destroy Israel and reclaim Palestine.

IN 1993, Israel and the PLO agreed to recognize each other and have talks. The PLO promised to stop its attacks. Israel withdrew forces from parts of the occupied territories.

The Oslo Accords

Jerusalem

In 1980, Jerusalem was made Israel’s capital. This is a stumbling block for peace because Arabs outnumber Jews in East Jerusalem. It is also their holy city as well.

Famous Authors

• Firdwasi• Omar Khayyam• Taha Husayn• Shmuel Yosef

Agnon• Yahuda

Amichai

The Thousand and One NightsPrincess Scheherazade entertains the king nightly to escape execution by telling folktales of Persian, Indian, Egyptian, Greek, Hebrew and Chinese origin.

Art and Islam

• The Koran forbids the worship of idols, and many Muslims oppose the portrayal of human or animal images.

Muslim architectural and design style

Muslims designed mosques and palaces with glazed tiles, domes, minarets, and mosaics. Persian rugs feature floral

designs and curling scrolls known as arabesques.

In Israel, Yakov Agam experimented with optical painting.

Cheb Khaled dominates popular Arab music today. He is the king of Rai- blending

traditional Arabian music with rock and jazz.