Importance of 'X' within the conflict Flashcards
What is the importance of Theodor Herzl
- Father of political Zionism (Creation of a Jewish state in Palestine is the solution to antisemitism/Jewish persecution and the abnormality of diaspora)
o Zionism provided an ideological, political and organisational framework for the establishment of a Jewish state in Palestine
o Zionism created a political and national movement for Jewish people, unified the diaspora - Convened First Zionist Congress in Basel which created the World Zionist Organisation
o Provided a global platform to advance the cause of Jewish statehood
Lobbied politicians and diplomats
What is the importance of David Ben Gurion
- Head of the Jewish Agency until 1948
o Facilitated mass Jewish immigration to Palestine
o Established strong Jewish presence pre-Independence - During British Mandate and beyond, key focus on building strong Jewish institutions and infrastructure
o Jewish Assembly, Jewish Trade Unions (protect Jewish jobs), Jewish Army, Educational systems
Palestinians Arabs had no state institutions (Jewish advantage regarding political representation, military strength, negotiations)
Jewish institutions ethnically defined, discriminated against Palestinian Arabs - First Israeli Prime Minister (Labor) from 1948-1963
o Led Jews to victory in Independence War 1948 despite being outnumbered by Arab forces
Strong institutions = Israel prepared for war
Victory expanded territory, solidified Israel’s presence in Palestine
What is the importance of Ze’ev Jabotinski (Revisionim)
- Father of Revisionist Zionism (Jewish state without Arabs on both sides of River Jordan)
o Emphasises expansionism (Greater Israel), a strong military presence, and firm stance on security
o Forms the ideological foundations of Likud Party (Benjamin Netanyahu)
Promotion of settlers and expansionist military logic has escalated in conflict and damaged trust with Palestinian/Arab representatives - Founded Irgun (Zionist terror group operating in mandatory Palestine)
o Responsible for Deir Yassin Massacre of Palestinian village
o Part of effort to forcibly displace Palestinians through fear/violence, never granted Right to return
What is the importance of the Sykes-Picot Agreement
Sykes-Picot Agreement (1916)
- Carved the Middle East Between the French and British after WW1
o British strategically interested in access to India and oil
o Arbitrary colonial borders divided Arabs into different spheres, hard to unite
- Undermined Hussein-Mahon Agreement 1915, British promised Independence to Arab world if the revolted against Ottomans and Turks in WW1
o Began longstanding motif of Arab mistrust and resentment arising from Western deception, betrayal, and self-interest
o Created need for pan-Arab anti-colonial nationalism against British
What is the importance of the Balfour Declaration (1917)
Balfour Declaration (1917)
- British Government declared Palestine a national home for Jews
o First major political recognition of Zionist movement (By British), gave international legitimacy to increased Jewish immigration/settlement/statehood
o Solidified Arabs feelings of mistrust, betrayal, and resentment towards British (further denial of independence)
Brits conspiring with Zionists to create Jewish state
need for pan-Arab anti-colonial nationalism against Zionism and British
o Ambiguous language -> Brits dual promises of Jewish national home and protection of Palestinian Arab rights
Unworkable and impossible dynamic for British during Mandate, escalated tensions between PA and Jews
What is the importance of British Mandate in Palestine
- Outcome: Deepened conflict between Jewish and Palestinian Arab populations, no successful cooperation efforts
o No Jewish-Palestinian institutions built for cooperation - Jewish institution building and land purchase from Arab upper class
o Kibbutzim (communal farms) and New Jew (pioneers)
Important as Jewish L.O banned in Europe
Economically beneficial
Resulted in Arab peasant evictions (result = violence/conflict)
o Stronger educational, political, military institutions than Arabs, responsible for superior position in conflict - Lack of Palestinian institution-building or representation
o Maximalist and disorganised leadership
o Palestinian fears that institution-building related to Balfour Declaration/Mandate perceived as acceptance of Jewish statehood/British colonialism
Unable to form successful response to Jews/Mandate, significantly disadvantaged - Increased Jewish migration
o Due to rise of Hitler/Holocaust in Europe
o Resulted in Arab-Jewish violence (e.g., Hebron massacre 1926 / Arab revolt 1936-39)
Arab violence pushed Jews and British closer
Zionists endorsed by biggest colonial power
Palestinians denied institution-building help/recognition of late institutions by British
What is the importance of Hajj Amin al-Husseini
- Poor/unfavourable representative for Palestinians during Mandate
o Maximalist leadership
failed to take advantage of British policies beneficial for Palestinian institution-building during Mandate
prevented leadership coalition building with Arab leaders/British
o Support for violence/revolt
doomed sympathy for Palestinian cause
escalated tensions with Jews/British, breakdown of dialogue
o Alliance with Hitler, associated with Nazism
abandoned dialogue with British over Palestine
damaged Palestinian cause internationally after Holocaust - Rejection of 1937 Peel Commission
o Protection of Palestinian self-determination
o Perceived as uncompromising, disadvantaged diplomatically
What is the importance of The Six-Day War (1967)
What is the importance of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO)
What is the importance of Yasser Arafat
What is the importance of The Settlement Movement
What is the importance of Hamas
What is the importance of Hezbollah
What is the importance of The Oslo Accords (1993)
What is the importance of Camp David Summit (2000)
