Israel/Palestine Test Practice Qs

1. Who controlled Palestine before Israel was created?
The Ottoman Empire controlled Palestine until 1917, then Britain took over.

2. What changes occurred under the British Mandate?
Increased Jewish immigration and land purchases caused tension with Arab residents.

3. Why did the British make promises to both Arabs and Jews during WWI? What did each group expect?
To gain support in the war. Arabs expected independence; Jews expected a homeland.

4. What was the impact of the Balfour Declaration on Jews and Arabs? How did it affect future tensions?
Jews saw it as support for a homeland; Arabs felt betrayed, worsening tensions.

5. What global events caused Jewish migration to increase in the 1930s? How did this affect local populations?
Nazi persecution drove migration; locals feared displacement and rising conflict.

6. What was the UN's proposal for the land of Palestine? Why did conflict break out after Israel’s independence?
Partition into Jewish and Arab states. Arabs rejected it, leading to war after 1948.

7. What were the main goals of the PLO? Who were its key leaders?
To reclaim Palestinian land and oppose Israel; key leader was Yasser Arafat.

8. How did U.S. diplomacy contribute to peace between Egypt and Israel? What did each side gain?
Camp David Accords led to peace; Egypt got Sinai back, Israel got recognition.

9. What caused the First Intifada? How did daily life and international perception shift during this time?
Palestinian frustration with occupation; daily hardship grew, world sympathy shifted.

10. What were the triggers for the Second Intifada? How did it differ from the First Intifada?
Failed peace talks and Sharon's Al-Aqsa visit; it was more violent and militarized.

11. What strategic reasons did Israel have for intervening in Lebanon? What were the regional effects?
To stop PLO attacks; it destabilized Lebanon and drew regional and global backlash.

12. What arguments do Israelis and Palestinians give for and against the barrier?
Israel says it’s for security; Palestinians say it violates rights and grabs land.

13. What did each side agree to in the Oslo Accords? How successful were these agreements?
Mutual recognition and gradual self-rule for Palestinians; some progress, but collapsed amid violence.

14. What challenges do residents of Gaza face today? Who governs Gaza, and how does that differ from the West Bank?
Blockade, poverty, and limited resources; Hamas rules Gaza, Fatah controls the West Bank.

15. What caused the split between Hamas and Fatah? How has this impacted the peace process?
Disputed 2006 election results and conflict; it fractured Palestinian leadership and stalled peace.

16. What has been the U.S. position on the conflict over time? In what ways has the U.S. helped or hindered peace?
Supports Israel, but mediated talks; aid and shifting policies have both helped and hindered peace efforts.

17. How have neighboring countries influenced the conflict? What roles have they played in war and peace?
Egypt and Jordan made peace; others like Iran and Syria backed militants. Their roles vary.

18. What are the main obstacles to a two-state solution? What would each side need to compromise on?
Borders, refugees, and Jerusalem; both must make major concessions on land and security.