ME3 - Attempts to achieve peace between Israel and the Palestinians, including the motives of Arafat, Rabin, Netanyahu, Hamas, Hezbollah and the USA Flashcards
Why did Arafat renounce terrorism?
He realised destroying Israel was unachievable as they were too strong
When did King Hussein renounce Jordan’s claims to the West Bank?
July 1988
When did the PLO recognise the existence of Israel?
November 1988
What was Arafat’s two-state solution?
- one state for an independent Israel
- one state for an independent Palestine with Jerusalem as its capital
What were the positives of Arafat’s speech?
- The USA agreed to open negotiations with the PLO
- The USA put pressure on Israel to negotiate with the PLO
What were the negatives of Arafat’s speech?
- Israel still thought the PLO as terrorists and there would be no negotiations
- Arafat’s 2-state solution was unacceptable for the Israelis
- Arafat’s peace initiative was also rejected by Hamas and Islamic Jihad as it was a betrayal of their objective of destroying Israel
When was the Gulf War?
1991
What was the Gulf War?
US-led coalition of 34 countries launched Operation Desert Storm and expelled the Iraqis from Kuwait
Why was the Gulf War great for USA relationship with Arab states?
- it was the 1st time other Middle East states had openly cooperated with the USA
- this put the USA in a stronger position to act as a peace negotiator
Why did Israeli’s reputation improved during the Gulf War?
When Saddam Hussein fired missiles on Israel to cause splitting in the US-led coalition, the Israelis did not retaliate
Why was Arafat’s reputation damaged during the Gulf War?
He supported Saddam Hussein and this led to 200,000 Palestinians getting expelled from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia cut their financial support
Why did the PLO want to reach a peace agreement quickly?
- in December 1991, the USSR collapsed
- the PLO lost its main source of finance and arms
How many Soviet Jews were going to the West Bank after the Cold war?
200,000
Why did the USA put pressure on Israel to negotiate with the PLO?
USA didn’t need Israel anymore as they were the only superpower
On which side of the political spectrum was Yitzak Rabin?
left-wing which meant that he supported negotiating a peace deal with the Palestinians
What did Netanyahu believe in?
- that Jews have historic rights over the whole of Israel
- he was willing to trade some land for peace
What did Netanhyahu do to strengthen the Israeli presence?
- he encouraged Jewish settlements in the West Bank
What were the motives of HAMAS attacking Israel?
- saw the PLO as corrupt and betraying Palestinians during the Oslo and Roadmap for Peace negotiations
- it justified any actions against Israel as legitimate resistance
What were the motives of Hezbollah to attack Israel?
- believed Israel was an illegal state and it demanded the return of territory occupied by Israel
What were the motives of USA to support Israel?
- USA has supported Israel with food and military aid
- at the height of the Cold War, USA needed an ally in the area which was Israel
