Israel

Question 1

Places and population?

Israel / Palestine

Answer 1

2.3 million

Question 2

Israel / Palestine

Answer 2

Question 3

When and where was the ancient Jewish community in the Middle East? What became of them?
Israel / Palestine

Answer 3

Approximately 3,000 years ago, the region now known as Israel was predominantly inhabited by a Jewish community.

They were displaced by the Romans nearly 2,000 years ago

Question 4

When did the Zionist movement emerge and who were its three key figures?

Israel / Palestine

Answer 4

Late C19th / early C20th

• Theodor Herzl, an Austrian Jewish journalist who published the influential book ‘The Jewish State’ in 1896 which laid out the case for a Jewish homeland.
• Chaim Weizmann, a chemist born in modern day Belarus, lobbied international political leaders in support of Zionism and helped secure the Balfour Declaration in 1917, which supported a Jewish homeland in Palestine.
• David Ben-Gurion was the leader of the Jewish community in British-controlled Palestine and served as Israel’s first Prime Minister after independence. He led the Zionist project on the ground.

Question 5

Explain the Balfour Declaration. What did it say to Arabs and what was its danger?

Israel / Palestine

Answer 5

The Balfour Declaration was a public statement issued by the British government in 1917 that expressed support for a Jewish homeland in Palestine.
* In 1917, British Foreign Secretary Arthur Balfour sent a letter to Lord Rothschild, a leader of the British Jewish community, declaring British support for “the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people.”
* For Arabs, the declaration also stated that “nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine.”
* Danger: the declaration left ambiguous what kind of Jewish state would be founded. But it energized the Zionist movement as they increased migration of Jews to Palestine with British backing.

Question 6

What had happened of relevance by end of WW1? Leading to what lobbying?

Israel / Palestine

Answer 6

By World War I, Britain had gained control over Palestine after defeating the Ottoman Empire (British Mandate to administer from League of Nations). Zionist leaders lobbied the British to support a Jewish homeland.

Question 7

What happened after WW2 and when was Israel established?

Israel / Palestine

Answer 7

After World War II and the Holocaust, the need for a Jewish homeland became even more apparent. In 1948, Israel was established and recognized by many countries, despite the objections of many Palestinians.

Question 8

What happened in 1967? What was the outcome?

Israel / Palestine

Answer 8

The ‘Six Day War’. In 1967, Israel faced simultaneous attacks from Egypt, Syria, and Jordan, which resulted in Israel gaining control over territories like Gaza and the West Bank. These territories are commonly referred to as the “occupied Palestinian territories.”

Question 9

What happened in 2005? Leading to..?

Israel / Palestine

Answer 9

In 2005, Israel withdrew from Gaza, which later saw the rise of Hamas, an Islamist group. Gaza and the West Bank remained divided. Over the years, there were conflicts and peace talks, with the Oslo Accords attempting to create a two-state solution. However, the territorial divisions and political disputes persisted.

Question 10

Describe the First Intifada

Israel / Palestine

Answer 10

First Intifada (largely non-violent):

• The First Intifada began in 1987 and lasted until 1993.
• It involved civil disobedience, mass demonstrations, strikes, refusals to pay taxes, and some violence from Palestinians in the occupied territories.
• Israel responded with military force and other punitive measures. Thousands were killed during this period.
• The uprising shifted international attention to the Palestinian struggle and helped catalyze the Oslo Accords peace process.

Question 11

Describe the Second Intifada

Israel / Palestine

Answer 11

Second Intifada:
* The Second Intifada took place between 2000-2005, several years after the Oslo process broke down.
* This uprising was marked by far more violence, with Palestinian groups like Hamas carrying out suicide bombings and attacks on Israelis. Israel responded with force.
* Over 3,000 Palestinians and 1,000 Israelis were killed. It hardened attitudes and diminished prospects for peace on both sides.

Question 12

Q: What was the original UN partition plan for Israel/Palestine after WWII?

Israel / Palestine

Answer 12

A: In 1947 the UN proposed dividing the territory into separate Jewish and Arab states, but this plan was rejected by Arab leaders.

Question 13

Q: When was the state of Israel established?

Israel / Palestine

Answer 13

A: Israel declared independence in 1948 after Britain withdrew from Palestine.

Question 14

Q: What major wars has Israel fought with its neighbors?

Israel / Palestine

Answer 14

A: Key wars were the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, Suez Crisis in 1956, Six-Day War in 1967, and Yom Kippur War in 1973.

Question 15

Q: What occurred as a result of the 1967 Six-Day War?

W / G / G / S

Israel / Palestine

Answer 15

A: Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza, Golan Heights and Sinai Peninsula, gaining control of those territories.

Question 16

Q: What were the Oslo Accords in the 1990s?

Israel / Palestine

Answer 16

A: A peace process where Israel recognized the PLO and gave them control of parts of the West Bank and Gaza.

Question 17

Q: What events led to Hamas gaining control of Gaza?

Israel / Palestine

Answer 17

A: Hamas won elections in 2006, leading to clashes with Fatah. In 2007 Hamas defeated Fatah militias, taking control of Gaza.

Question 18

Q: Who are the key leaders of Israel and the Palestinian Authority today?

Israel / Palestine

Answer 18

A: Benjamin Netanyahu is Israel’s prime minister. Mahmoud Abbas is president of the Palestinian Authority.

Question 19

Q: What is the ultimate goal of the BDS movement?

Israel / Palestine

Answer 19

A: BDS refers to boycott/divestment/sanctions campaigns that aim to pressure Israel through economic and cultural isolation.

Question 20

Q: What was the Abraham Accords signed in 2020?

Israel / Palestine

Answer 20

A: Normalization agreements between Israel, UAE and Bahrain brokered by the US.

Question 21

Q: What are the main political parties in Israel?

Israel / Palestine

Answer 21

A: The main parties are Likud on the right, and in the center-left are Labor, Yesh Atid, Blue and White.

Question 22

Q: Who are some key figures that have served as Israel’s prime minister?

Israel / Palestine

Answer 22

A: Long-serving prime ministers include David Ben-Gurion, Golda Meir, Menachem Begin, Yitzhak Rabin, Ariel Sharon, and Benjamin Netanyahu.

Question 23

Q: What are the West Bank settlements and why are they controversial?

Israel / Palestine

Answer 23

A: They are Israeli communities built on occupied land in the West Bank. Palestinians see them as illegal and an obstacle to peace.

Question 24

Q: What is Hamas and how does it differ from the Palestinian Authority?

Israel / Palestine

Answer 24

A: Hamas is a Palestinian Islamist group focused on armed resistance. The PA is secular and engages in diplomacy as well as nonviolent resistance.

Question 25

Q: Who are some historic leaders of the PLO and Palestinian Authority?

Israel / Palestine

Answer 25

A: Yasser Arafat, Mahmoud Abbas, Ahmed Qurei, Saeb Erekat, Hanan Ashrawi.

Question 26

Q: How does the Israeli political system work?

Israel / Palestine

Answer 26

A: Israel has a parliamentary system where parties form coalitions. There is no formal constitution.

Question 27

Q: What is the Nakba?

Israel / Palestine

Answer 27

A: Meaning “catastrophe” in Arabic, it refers to displacement of Palestinians during Israel’s creation.

Question 28

Q: Why did the Oslo Accords ultimately fail?

Israel / Palestine

Answer 28

A: Neither side fulfilled key commitments, settlements grew, and violence resumed, eroding trust built during Oslo.

Question 29

Q: Who are some of the current leaders of Hamas?

Israel / Palestine

Answer 29

A: Ismail Haniyeh (assassinated) and Yahya Sinwar are senior Hamas figures in Gaza.

Question 30

How are Gaza and The West Bank connected?

Israel / Palestine

Answer 30

Gaza and the West Bank are separated geographically but there are some connections between them:

• They are separated by Israeli territory. Gaza is located along the coast, while the West Bank is inland. It’s around 35 miles between them.
• There is no direct road or rail link between Gaza and the West Bank. Major highways in Israel connect settlements in the West Bank but bypass Palestinian areas.
• Palestinians must pass through Israeli security checkpoints and barriers to travel between the two Palestinian territories. This is difficult to obtain permits for.
• Gaza has a border with Egypt, but this Rafah crossing is controlled by Egypt and Israel and is often closed. Very limited flow of people.
• Some goods flow between the West Bank and Gaza via Israel. But Israel strictly controls what gets through.
• Politically, Hamas controls Gaza while Fatah dominates the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank. But there are still ties between them.
• Utilities like electricity grids and wastewater infrastructure connect the territories. Water supplies also partially shared.
• Cultural and family ties connect Gazans and West Bank residents, though they are very isolated from each other overall.
  So in summary, while separated physically, Gaza and the West Bank share political, economic, infrastructure and social connections controlled by Israel and meant to be part of a future Palestinian state. But the connections are limited.

Question 31

Describe the kibbutz system.

Israel / Palestine

Answer 31

The kibbutz system is a unique communal living arrangement that originated in Israel. Here are some key points about kibbutzim and their locations:

1. History: Kibbutzim were established in the early 20th century, during the Zionist movement in British Mandate Palestine. They were founded as agricultural and socialist communities with the aim of creating a self-sufficient and equitable society.
2. Communal Living: In a kibbutz, members live and work together, pooling their resources and sharing responsibilities. This includes communal child-rearing, collective farming, and shared decision-making.
3. Economic Structure: Historically, kibbutzim were primarily focused on agriculture, but many have diversified into industry and technology over the years. The kibbutz operates as a single economic entity, and income is typically distributed equally among members.
4. Locations: Kibbutzim are scattered throughout Israel, with many concentrated in the northern part of the country, the Galilee, and the southern regions like the Negev Desert. The specific location of each kibbutz can vary widely, from coastal areas to desert regions.
5. Changes Over Time: In recent decades, many kibbutzim have undergone significant changes in their economic and social structures. While some still maintain the traditional communal way of life, others have adopted more individualistic or privatized models.
6. Tourism: Some kibbutzim have opened their doors to tourists, offering accommodations and opportunities for visitors to experience communal living and explore the surrounding areas.
7. Community Values: Kibbutzim often uphold values of social equality, cooperation, and self-sufficiency. They have played a significant role in Israel’s history and development.

The kibbutz system has evolved over the years, and today you can find a wide range of kibbutzim with varying levels of adherence to traditional communal principles.

Question 32

Who?

Israel / Palestine

Answer 32

Question 33

What?

Israel / Palestine

Answer 33

Rafah Crossing into Egypt

Question 34

Describe Hezbollah

Israel / Palestine

Answer 34

Hezbollah is primarily based in Lebanon, specifically in the southern part of the country and the Bekaa Valley. Hezbollah is a Shia Islamist political and military organization with a significant presence in Lebanon. It was founded in the early 1980s and receives support from Iran.

Hezbollah and Hamas are two different organizations with distinct goals and areas of operation:

1.	Hezbollah: As mentioned, Hezbollah is based in Lebanon and has a strong political and military presence there. It is closely aligned with Iran and is often seen as a proxy of Iran in the region. Hezbollah’s primary focus is on Lebanon, and it has been involved in Lebanese politics for several decades. Its military wing is known for its conflict with Israel, particularly along the Lebanese-Israeli border.

Question 35

Israel / Palestine

Question 36

Israel / Palestine