ME3 - Attempts to achieve peace between Israel and the Palestinians, including the motives of Arafat, Rabin, Netanyahu, Hamas, Hezbollah and the USA

Question 1

Why did Arafat renounce terrorism?

Answer 1

He realised destroying Israel was unachievable as they were too strong

Question 2

When did King Hussein renounce Jordan’s claims to the West Bank?

Answer 2

July 1988

Question 3

When did the PLO recognise the existence of Israel?

Answer 3

November 1988

Question 4

What was Arafat’s two-state solution?

Answer 4

• one state for an independent Israel

- one state for an independent Palestine with Jerusalem as its capital

Question 5

What were the positives of Arafat’s speech?

Answer 5

• The USA agreed to open negotiations with the PLO

- The USA put pressure on Israel to negotiate with the PLO

Question 6

What were the negatives of Arafat’s speech?

Answer 6

• 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

Question 7

When was the Gulf War?

Answer 7

1991

Question 8

What was the Gulf War?

Answer 8

US-led coalition of 34 countries launched Operation Desert Storm and expelled the Iraqis from Kuwait

Question 9

Why was the Gulf War great for USA relationship with Arab states?

Answer 9

• 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

Question 10

Why did Israeli’s reputation improved during the Gulf War?

Answer 10

When Saddam Hussein fired missiles on Israel to cause splitting in the US-led coalition, the Israelis did not retaliate

Question 11

Why was Arafat’s reputation damaged during the Gulf War?

Answer 11

He supported Saddam Hussein and this led to 200,000 Palestinians getting expelled from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia cut their financial support

Question 12

Why did the PLO want to reach a peace agreement quickly?

Answer 12

• in December 1991, the USSR collapsed

- the PLO lost its main source of finance and arms

Question 13

How many Soviet Jews were going to the West Bank after the Cold war?

Answer 13

200,000

Question 14

Why did the USA put pressure on Israel to negotiate with the PLO?

Answer 14

USA didn’t need Israel anymore as they were the only superpower

Question 15

On which side of the political spectrum was Yitzak Rabin?

Answer 15

left-wing which meant that he supported negotiating a peace deal with the Palestinians

Question 16

What did Netanyahu believe in?

Answer 16

• that Jews have historic rights over the whole of Israel

- he was willing to trade some land for peace

Question 17

What did Netanhyahu do to strengthen the Israeli presence?

Answer 17

• he encouraged Jewish settlements in the West Bank

Question 18

What were the motives of HAMAS attacking Israel?

Answer 18

• 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

Question 19

What were the motives of Hezbollah to attack Israel?

Answer 19

• believed Israel was an illegal state and it demanded the return of territory occupied by Israel

Question 20

What were the motives of USA to support Israel?

Answer 20

• 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