Israel and the Arab World, 9/05:

Key Lecture Points:

Overview:
• The Israelis-Arab conflict is one of the longest standing ethnic/religious conflicts in the world. Since 1949 Israel has been locked in a constant state of conflict with its neighbors and part of its own populations, the Palestinians.

• In July of 2005, the Israelis conducted the first withdrawal of Israelis citizens from land occupied after the 1967 war. This area of land, called the Gaza Strip, contains a large and hostile Palestinian population. What were the circumstances of this withdrawal, and what is its importance? How will this impact the peace process moving forward?

• Israel has fought a series of wars with its neighbors. Egypt, Iran, Syria, Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Lebanon have all locked horns with the Israeli armed forces. Through these conflicts Israel acquired large swaths of land and a large Palestinian population. Why has the existence of Israel been such a contentious issue in the Arab world? How important were the actions of Colonial powers in the formation of the State of Israel and the Greater Middle East? What were the conditions that led to these wars?

• Israel’s existence is a stated grievance of Islamic fundamentalists throughout the world. Groups like Al Qaeda, Hamas, Hezbollah, Al Aqsa Matyrs brigade, and many others formed around opposition to Israel. Political Islam has influenced even the traditionally secular Palestinians. Why is this a rally cry for extremists? With the withdrawal from Gaza and other steps moving towards the formation of a Palestinian state, what is the likelihood of an Islamic republic forming in the region? What is the relationship between Islamic groups like Al Qaeda and Hamas?

• Israel is one of the leading recipients of US foreign aid. The United States has always supported the Israeli government and has received harsh international criticism for this support. Why has it been in US interest to back the Israelis? What have the Israelis done to earn the criticism thrown at them and the US for its support? Is this human rights abuse, or standard counter-insurgency operations?

For More Information:
• http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/middle_east/2001/
israel_and_the_palestinians/default.stm
• http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4285872.stm
• http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4304942.stm
• http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4288136.stm
• http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4294502.stm
• http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/mideast/archive.html
• http://www.globalpolicy.org/security/issues/isrlindx.htm
• http://www.globalpolicy.org/security/issues/israel-palestine/peace/roadindex.htm

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