Israel/Palestine and their regional impact

Question 1

In what year does Britain decide to relinquish the mandate that they possess over Palestine to the U.N?

Answer 1

1947.

Question 2

What did the U.N do to Palestine once they had control in 1947?

Answer 2

Partition the region according to religion. Ethnically transferred people according to the idea of partition.

Question 3

Who accepted and who rejected the partition plan of Palestine?

Answer 3

Accepted - Zionist leaders.

Rejected - Palestinian leaders, as well as the surrounding governments of Arab states.

Question 4

Explain the war of 1948-1949

Answer 4

The Arab states of Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Jordan and Egypt declare war on Israel after their independence is declared in 1948.
A “Resounding Israeli victory” results in the enlargement of Israeli territory - now 78% of Palestine.

Question 5

Name myths that have no been discredited about the 1948 war.

Answer 5

Israel faced a powerful and united Arab front.
Britain opposed the creation of the Zionist state.
Palestinians left by choice rather than through expulsion and intimidation.

Question 6

Could Jews be a part of an Arab nation?

Answer 6

No.

Question 7

Who were the PLO?

Answer 7

The Palestinian Liberation Organisation.

Question 8

Explain ‘Black September’.

Answer 8

A bloody civil war lasting between 1970-1971 which was, at its core, to decide if Jordan was to be ruled by the PLO.

Question 9

Name a few factors that contributed to the Lebanese Civil War of 1975-1990.

Answer 9

The displaced Palestinians threw the countries religious divide off-balance and led to mass-fighting between the left and the PLO and the Right-winged officials and Christians.

Question 10

Name the key dates of the Arab-Israeli conflicts.

Answer 10

1948: 1st Arab-Israeli war.
1956: The Suez War.
1967: The ‘Six day war’.
1973: ‘October War’.

Question 11

What did the Arab Nationalist Movement (ANM) stand for?

Answer 11

Pan-Arab Nationalism & Opposition to Israel.
Ideologically stood for socialism and secularism.
Branches opened in a number of Arab countries in the 1950’s. Closely aligned with Nasser-ism.
Following the 1967 war, ANM disintegrated and the PFLP was formed.

Question 12

Who were the Fatah?

Answer 12

A group set up by Yasser Arafat around 1959. Emphasis on Guerrilla warfare against Israel. Still a dominant force in Palestinian politics.

Question 13

Did women play an active role in the Palestinian struggle?

Answer 13

Yes.

Question 14

Approximately, how many Palestinians were displaced following the 1967 war?

Answer 14

300,000

Question 15

Approximately, how many Syrians were displaced following the 1967 war?

Answer 15

100,000

Question 16

Approximately, how many Jewish Israelis currently live inside of the occupied West Bank?

Answer 16

750,000.

Question 17

What does the rise of Fatah mark the beginning of?

Answer 17

A strategy of pro-activity & freedom fighters.

Question 18

In what year does Egyptian President Anwar Sadat visit Israel to give his famous speech about the Israeli Knesset?

Answer 18

1977

Question 19

In which year do Israel and Egypt begin peace talks?

Answer 19

1978

Question 20

In which year does Egypt become the first Arab country to officially recognize Israel as a state?

Answer 20

1978

Question 21

What do the 1978 Israeli-Egyptian peace accords bring about?

Answer 21

Withdrawal of Israel from the Sinai peninsular.

Agreements mark the definitive end of the Arab Israeli conflict.