Israel Lesson Flashcards
Significance of Israel/Jerusalem for Jews, Muslims, Christians
Jews - consider Jerusalem holiest city bc many major events of Judaism took place there
Christians - consider it to be Holy Land bc major events of Jesus’ life, death, resurrection took place there
Muslims - consider it to be holy bc believe Muhammad ascended to heaven from there
What was the order of who controlled Israel
1st - Jews controlled, Jacob’s sons + grandsons
2nd - Romans took over land, expelled Jews, converted everyone to Christianity
3rd - 7th century Muslims took over, spread Arabic culture
Crusades - repeated battle btwn Christians + Arabs over control, eventually Arabs win
WW1 - Post Ottoman Empire’s defeat, UK takes over Palestine, allowing Jews to return BUT then after WWII the British leave Palestine
What is the conflict between Palestinians + Israelis
Palestine - considers Gaza Strip, West Bank AND Israel as their own
Israel - does not consider Palestine a part of it
2 significant elements of local landscape w. regards to dealing with neighbors
1) Israel very small country + all Israelis live within 12 miles of international border –> susceptible to attack
2) land between Mediterranean + Jordan divided into 3 parallel regions = coastal plan, hills, Jordan river valley
Significance of hilly regions for warfare
Jordan + Syria used hills between 1948-67 to attack low-lying Israeli occupied Jordan river valley
Israel retaliated + took over hills
What is the security fence/racial segregation wall
Israel captured + took over West Bank –> Palestine considers it a hostile act
Barriers along West Bank, Gaza Strip, suburbs of Jerusalem –> 9% of land now Israels side
What are 2 sides of Palestinian perspective
1) Fatah Party - recognize state of Israel in return for territory taken in 67 during 6-day war
2) Hamas Party - do not recognize right for Israel to exist + want to fight till they control all territory btwn Jordan + Mediterranean
Pro/con for segregation wall
Pro:
- effective at reducing # attacks on Israelis in West Bank
- Israel made adjustments for humanitarian concerns + willing to remove fence as part of peace agreement
Con
- wall has increased Jewish control over territory
- prevents Palestinians from reaching fields/work
Why is it difficult to divide Muslim + Jewish part of Jerusalem
1) Jews - Western wall –> open for visiting + daily prayer sight for Jews
2) Muslims - Dome of Rock (where Muhammad went to heaven) + al-Aqsa Mosque holy
Problem: al-Aqsa mosque is built on Temple Mount = holy for both religions AND no way to get to al-Aqsa mosque without crossing Western wall
