Peace and Conflict in the Middle East Midterm 2

what established the current unresolved issues of the conflict?

1967 Six Day War

What 3 things did the 1967 Six Day War establish?

Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories

Occupation of east Jerusalem

Israeli settlements on Palestinian territories

Who governed West Bank and East Jerusalem?

Jordan

Who governed Gaza?

Egypt

What were the 4 reasons for on-and-off conflicts between Israel and its Arab neighbors?

Arab resentment of Israel

Issues over fresh water

Struggle over regional political dominance

Palestinian activity from border states

Explain the conflict between Israel and Syria, along the border

1. Palestinian resistance activity along border, conflict over water, SU feared that there will be an Israeli invasion and overthrow Syria

2. SU felt Israel wouldn’t attack Syria if Egypt gestures its commitment to defend Syria

3. Soviets give false intelligence to Egypt that Israel is prepared to attack Syria

4. Egypt mobilized troops on Israel border

5. Closed Strait of Tiran and Gulf of Aqaba

6. Syria and Jordan mobilized

7. Israel pre-emptively attacks Egypt

3 outcomes of the 1967 Six Day War

Israel occupies Sinai, Golan Heights, West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem

More Palestinian refugees

More defensible borders for Israel

What was passed immediately after the 1967 Six Day War by the Security Council?

Resolution 242

What is Resolution 242 based on?

Land for peace formula

What is the land for peace formula?

Israel returns the occupied land to Palestine

In return, Israel is recognized as an independent state by its surrounding Arab states and Palestine

Israel and Palestine can now live in peace

International law definition

System of agreements between states that governs their interactions

International humanitarian law definition

Rules and laws that help protect civilians during war and occupation following war

Occupation law definition

Sets out that occupation is temporary in nature; sets out principles that occupying power must abide by  

Is occupation illegal?

No

Is prolonged occupation illegal?

Yes

Are settlements illegal?

Yes

Is Israeli settlements and occupation legal?

No

What do Israeli settlements and occupation violate?

4th Geneva Convention

Security council resolutions

Did Resolution 242 bring about an end to the conflict?

No

What are the general problems in Resolution 242?

Vague

Doesn’t show how to

Doesn’t address two states fighting

What problems do you see in Resolution 242 from the perspective of Israel?

Doesn’t mention which/all territories to return

When to return and how

Makes Israelis feel like the bad guys, so they are less likely to acknowledge the law

What problems do you see in Resolution 242 from the perspective of Palestine?

Only mentions the military, not the people living there

Why does it only acknowledge the Israel people, not them

What problems are in Resolution 242 for implementation?

Vague

Doesn’t give a detail how to

Doesn’t outline the necessary states part of the conflict and surrounding states

Doesn’t give a deadline

What was Hamas born out of?

Occupation and Gaza

When did Hamas start?

1987

What does Hamas seek?

Palestinian statehood

What does Fatah seek?

Palestinian statehood

Does Hamas use violence?

Yes

Why does Hamas use violence?

Form of resistance and self-defense

Does Fatah use violence?

No

Does Hamas recognize Israel?

No

Does Fatah recognize Israel?

Yes

What are the 2 governing bodies of Palestine?

PA and Hamas

Where does the PA have governing authority?

Some authority over parts of the West Bank

Where does Hamas have governing authority?

Some authority over parts of Gaza

Cycle of violence

Israel instigation (evictions, security crackdowns, attacks on Al-Aqsa) → Hamas response (fires rockets into Israel) → Israel counter-response (air-strikes and ground invasion) → repeat

How long has the Gaza blockade been?

Since 2007

Who is also part of the blockade?

Egypt

What does the blockade look like?

Air, land, and naval blockade

Goods and people are not permitted to move

Dependent of humanitarian aid

Open air prison

What was the Gaza blockade a response to?

Hamas’ democratic election victory in 2006

Why is Israel not in violation of occupation law?

Occupation law only applies to territories that were part of a sovereign state and that is not the case with Gaza, West Bank, and East Jerusalem

3 major principles to protect civilians that underlie IHL

Principle of distinction

Principle of proportionality

Principle of humanity

Principle of distinction definition

parties must distinguish between combatants and civilians

Principle of proportionality definition

Means and methods of warfare used by Parties must not be excessive as to cause casualties of civilian and civilian objects

Principle of humanity definition

Civilians must be treated humanely and with dignity at all times by Parties

When was the PLO made?

1964

Who was the Political representation of the Palestinians until the PA was created?

PLO

Who was the spokesperson after 1967 War from the other Arab states?

PLO

Factors that created the Intifada (4 reasons)

Occupation

Increasing Israeli settlements

Right-wing Likud party came into power

Disillusionment

Intifada definition

spontaneous, grassroots uprising of Palestinian people

Why did Israel support Hamas?

To weaken unity and solidarity which was needed to support a Palestinian state

2 objectives of the Intifada

Halting of Israeli settlements and confiscation of land

Israeli recognition of independent Palestinian state

Tactics employed during the Intifada

Civil disobedience

What was Israel’s response to the Intifada?

“Force, power, and blows”

Military use of lethal weapons, airstrikes, and bombing

Main outcome of the Intifada

Oslo Peace Process

Why was Israel willing to negotiate back then? (3 reasons)

Didn’t realize it could get away with expansionist tendencies

Earlier in the conflict, world has memory of Palestinian loss of homeland and injustice

US was more willing to play a negotiating role

Why is Israel not willing to negotiate back then? (7 reasons)

Can continue expansionist tendencies with impunity

Normalized occupation

No external or internal pressure to negotiate

Created a security apparatus

Status quo favors Israel

Memory of the Palestinian loss of homeland has faded

US not willing to play a negotiating role

Oslo Peace Process definition

series of meetings between Israelis and Palestinians to negotiate a deal to end the conflict

What formula did the Oslo Peace Process follow?

Land for peace

Who played a mediating role in the Oslo Peace Process?

US

What culminated in 2000 Camp David Summit?

Oslo Peace Process

Why was the Oslo Peace Process a failure from the Israeli perspective?

Blamed Arafat for not accepting the Israeli offer

Best offer Israel would ever make (Part of the West Bank, all of Gaza, Most of 1967 war refugee return, Part of the East Jerusalem could be part of the Palestinian capital)

Why was the Oslo Peace Process a failure from the Palestinian perspective?

Territories non-contiguous, main roads under Israeli control, only gained portions of land, no right to return for most refugees, no control of airspace and borders, Israel retains water sources in the West Bank, no Palestinian military, military installations in the West Bank, Israel can deploy troops at an time, Israel has to approve any international alliances