Middle East Term Sheet 2

Theodor Herzl

A journalist and writer who founded the modern political movement of Zionism. He advocated for the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine. His ideas laid the organizational foundation for the establishment of Israel.

Balfour Declaration

A statement issued by the British government in 1917 expressing support for the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine, which became a significant milestone in the Zionist movement. It was included in Britain’s wartime diplomacy to gain Jewish support during World War I. Created long-lasting Arab resentment for colonial powers.

Hussein-McMahon Correspondence

A series of letters between Sherif Hussein and Henry McMahon during WWI. Britain promised Hussein a large chunk of land in exchange for rebellion against the Ottoman Empire. Later contradictions with the Sykes-Picot Agreement and Balfour Declaration deepened Arab mistrust toward Britain.

Skyes-Picot Agreement

A secret agreement between Britain and France dividing the Middle East into spheres of influence after the Ottoman Empire’s defeat. It contradicted promises of Arab independence and shaped the modern political borders of the region. Arabs viewed it as a betrayal of wartime commitments, fueling anti-Western sentiment.

David Ben-Gurion

Israel’s founding father and the first prime minister of Israel. Leader of the labor zionist movement. Declared Israel’s independence in 1948 and led the country through its formative years and early conflicts.

Labor Zionism

Left wing, socialist variant of Zionism. It dominated early Zionist politics and guided Israel under Ben-Gurion. Its ideology shaped Israel’s early social and political institutions.

Vladimir Jabotinsky

Founder of the Revisionist Zionism movement. Advocated for a more nationalist and militant approach of forming a Jewish state. His ideas influenced right-wing politics and the Likud party in later years.

Revisionist Zionism

Right-wing branch of zionism advocating for a Jewish state through force. It was more aggressive toward both the British and Arab populations in Palestine. The movement’s ideas shaped Israel’s future nationalist and security-oriented policies.

Arab Rebellion (1936)

Nationalist uprising by Palestinians against British colonial rule and jewish immigration. It reflected growing Arab frustration over loss of land and political marginalization. The revolt’s failure weakened Palestinians before the 1948 war. 

United Nations Special Committee on Palestine

A UN body formed to recommend solutions to the Palestine conflict after Britain’s withdrawal. It proposed partitioning Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states with an internationalized Jerusalem. The plan was accepted by Jews but rejected by Arabs, setting the stage for the 1948 war.

1948 War

Fought between the new State of Israel and neighboring Arab countries after Israel declared independence. Israel emerged victorious, expanding its territory beyond the UN partition plan. The war created a massive Palestinian refugee crisis and entrenched the Arab-Israeli divide.

Palestinian Liberation Organization

Founded under Arafat to represent the Palestinian people and lead their struggle for statehood. Became recognized internationally as the Palestinians’ legitimate representative. The PLO later shifted toward negotiation, participating in the Oslo process.

War of 1967

Israel launched preemptive strikes against Egypt, Syria, and Jordan, capturing the Sinai Peninsula, Gaza Strip, West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Golan Heights. The victory expanded Israel’s territory and control over Palestinians. It reshaped regional politics and remains central to the territorial disputes today.

United Nations Security Council Resolution 242

Adopted after the Six-Day War, it called for Israel’s withdrawal from territories occupied in exchange for peace and recognition by Arab states (“land for peace”). Its ambiguous wording led to decades of debate over its interpretation. It became the foundation for later peace negotiations.

War of 1973

Egypt and Syria launched a surprise attack on Israel during the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur. Though initially caught off guard, Israel repelled the assault and retained its territories. The war led to U.S.-Soviet tensions and eventually spurred peace efforts like the Camp David Accords.

U.N. Security Council Resolution 338

Issued during the Yom Kippur War, it called for an immediate ceasefire and urged the implementation of Resolution 24. The resolution reinforced the “land for peace” principle and became a framework for Arab-Israeli peace negotiations

Camp David Accords

Negotiated between Sadat, Begin and Carter. Egypt recognized Israel, and Israel agreed to withdraw from Sinai. The accords marked the first peace treaty between Israel and an Arab state, setting a precedent for future diplomacy.

The First Intifada

Local Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation in the west bank and gaza. It drew global attention to Palestinian struggles. It pressured Israel and the PLO toward negotiation, leading to the Oslo Accords.

Hamas

Palestinian Islamist Organization formed as an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood. Asserts that all territory west of the jordan river should be under muslim authority. Goal is to destroy Israel. Later becomes governing authority in Gaza, complicating peace efforts between Israel and Palestine and Palestinian unity.

Two State Solution

A proposed resolution with an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel. Supported by many international actors as the best path to peace. Remains unimplemented due to disagreements over borders, refugees, and Jerusalem.

The Oslo Accords

Agreements between Israel and the PLO establishing limited Palestinian self-rule in parts of the West Bank and Gaza. They marked mutual recognition and laid out a process toward a final settlement. Process stalled because of ongoing violence and mistrust.

Camp David II

Meeting in 2000 between Bill Clinton, Arafat, and Barak to come to a resolution of the conflict. Ultimately no agreement was made because of disagreements about who would control the Temple Mount. The failure sparked the second intifada. 

Al-Aqsa Intifada

Violent uprising of Palestinians against Israel following Camp David II and Ariel Sharon storming the Al-Aqsa mosque. Included suicide bombings and a strong military response from Israel. Undermined peace negotiations and deepend Arab-Israeli tensions.

Gaza Disengagement by Israel

in 2005, Israel withdraws all military and settlements from Gaza. Lack of governance allowed Hamas to emerge as the leader of Gaza. Froze any form of peace negotiation.

Abraham Accords

Set of agreements between Israel and several Arab states including UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan. Agreements normalized relations between the states, leading to economic/ security cooperation. Allowed Israel to have diplomatic relationships with Arab states despite not resolving Palestinian conflict.

October 7th Attacks

Hamas launched a surprise assault on Israel, killing and kidnapping civilians, prompting a massive Israeli military response in Gaza. The war reshaped global discourse on the conflict, deepened polarization, and reignited debates about security and occupation.