Conflict in the Middle East: Israel and Palestine

This set of flashcards covers key terms and concepts related to the historical and ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine, touching on important events, movements, and political agreements.

Ottoman Empire

A large empire mainly controlled by Turkish ethnic groups, under which Arab Muslims sought independence.

Zionist Movement

A movement that emerged in the 1890s aimed at establishing a Jewish homeland in response to antisemitism.

Balfour Declaration

A statement by British Foreign Secretary Arthur Balfour in 1917 promising support for a Jewish homeland in Palestine.

Nakba

The Arabic term for the 'catastrophe', referring to the displacement of Palestinian Arabs during the 1948 war.

Hagana

The Jewish paramilitary organization formed in pre-state Israel, involved in conflicts against British and Arab forces.

Oslo Accords

A set of agreements between Israel and the Palestinian Liberation Organization intended to achieve a peace treaty.

Intifada

An uprising by Palestinians against Israeli rule, marked by both peaceful protests and violent resistance.

Abraham Accords

Recent agreements facilitating normalization of relations between Israel and several Arab states.

PLO (Palestine Liberation Organization)

Founded in 1964, a political and militant organization aimed at establishing a Palestinian state.

Six Day War

A 1967 conflict in which Israel gained significant territory, including the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Theodor Herzl

A prominent figure in the Zionist movement, advocating for a Jewish state as a solution to antisemitism.

Yasser Arafat

Leader of the PLO and significant figure in Palestinian nationalism and peace negotiations.

Ethnonationalism

A belief that national identity is based on shared culture, often leading to exclusion of outsiders.

Gaza Strip

A Palestinian territory bordering Israel, heavily impacted by conflict and settlement issues.

Knesset

The parliament of Israel, responsible for making laws and national policy.

Palestinian Refugees

Individuals who lost their homes and status as a result of the 1948 Arab-Israeli war.

UN Resolution 181

The United Nations resolution proposing the partition of Palestine into Jewish and Arab states.

Hamas

A Palestinian Islamic organization considered a terrorist group by some, known for its armed resistance against Israel.

Israeli Settlements

Communities established by Israel on land occupied during the 1967 war, often causing tensions with Palestinians.