Diplomacy, peace then wider war, 1973–83

Question 1

Explain Henry Kissinger’s Shuttle Diplomacy method and how it worked in the Middle East?

Answer 1

• Henry Kissinger was a US diplomat and politician who served as the US Secretary of State from 1973 to 1977, and was known for his diplomatic efforts in the Middle East, including the use of shuttle diplomacy.
• Shuttle diplomacy is a method of diplomacy in which a mediator travels back and forth between two or more parties in conflict to facilitate communication and negotiations.
• Kissinger first used shuttle diplomacy in 1973 during the Yom Kippur War between Israel and several Arab states.
• Kissinger’s shuttle diplomacy was successful, and it led to the 1974 disengagement agreements between Israel and Egypt, and between Israel and Syria.
• The agreements helped to reduce tensions between the parties and establish a framework for future negotiations.

Question 2

What significant event started the Peace Process?

Answer 2

• Anwar Sadat visited Menachem Begin in Israel, which was significant as it meant acknowledging Israel as a country and he was the first Arab leader to make a visit.

Question 3

Explain the Camp David Accords agreements?

Answer 3

• Egypt and Israel established diplomatic relations, which made Egypt the 1st Arab state to recognise Israel’s right to exist
• Israel was to withdraw from the Sinai
• Israel could use the Suez Canal and Straits of Tiran
• Both Israel and Egypt would receive aid from the USA
• Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza could elect a self-governing council. After 5 years another agreement would be made on how to govern these areas

Question 4

What was left unsettled in the Camp David Accords?

Answer 4

• The rights of the Palestinians weren’t specified and they weren’t consulted
• The Palestinians and other Arab states such as Syria condemned Egypt for betraying them
• Moderate Arab states such as Jordan remained neutral
• It was debatable whether Sadat and Begin deserved the Nobel Peace Prize

Question 5

What happened in Israel’s Invasion of Lebanon (1982)?

Answer 5

• The PLO continued attacks on Israel from inside Lebanon
• Israel invaded Lebanon in 1978 and 1982 to destroy PLO camps there
• Civilians, as well as PLO members, were killed in the fighting
• Lebanon was already a country divided between Christians and Muslims and the Israeli intervention led to further destruction and civil conflict
• The PLO were driven out and settled in Tunisia

Question 6

Explain the Sabra and Shatila Camp Massacres?

Answer 6

• Israel claimed that PLO terrorists remained in the refugee camps and allowed Lebanese Christian Militias to enter the camps, who carried out horrific massacres of up to 3,500 civilians
• The Israeli Defence Minister Ariel Sharon was judged to be indirectly responsible because the camps were in an Israeli-occupied area and he was forced to resign

Question 7

What were the consequences of Israel’s Invasion of Lebanon?

Answer 7

• Israel was more secure as a result of the PLO’s departure (Tunisia was 2,400km away)
• Israel’s image in the world was damaged by the brutal war in Lebanon
• An Islamist resistance group funded by Iran, called Hezbollah, emerged in Lebanon and waged guerrilla war against Israel