Israel-Palestine Terms

1. Zionism: Movement advocating for the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine, founded by Theodor Herzl in the late 19th century.

2. Theodor Herzl: Austrian journalist and the father of modern political Zionism, who published "The Jewish State" in 1896.

3. Antisemitism: Hostility, prejudice, or discrimination against Jews.

4. Hussein-McMahon Letters: Correspondence between British High Commissioner in Egypt and the Sharif of Mecca during WWI, suggesting support for Arab independence in exchange for support against the Ottoman Empire.

5. Balfour Declaration: 1917 British statement supporting the establishment of a national home for the Jewish people in Palestine.

6. Mandate System: Post-WWI system where Allied powers governed former Ottoman territories, including Palestine, under League of Nations mandates.

7. Pogroms: Violent riots aimed at the massacre or persecution of Jews, especially prevalent in Eastern Europe in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

8. Peel Commission: 1937 British inquiry that recommended partitioning Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states, a proposal rejected by Arab leaders.

1. UN Resolution 181: 1947 UN proposal to partition Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states, with Jerusalem as an international city.

2. 1st Arab-Israeli War: Fought in 1948 between Israel and neighboring Arab states following the declaration of Israeli independence.

3. War of Independence: Another name for the 1st Arab-Israeli War, viewed as a struggle for Israel’s survival.

4. Nakba: Arabic term for the “catastrophe,” referring to the displacement of Palestinians during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War.

5. Refugees: Palestinians displaced from their homes during the 1948 War and their descendants, who continue to live in camps.

6. Six Day War (1967): A brief but decisive war where Israel defeated Egypt, Syria, and Jordan, occupying the West Bank, Gaza, Sinai, and Golan Heights.

7. Preemptive: Military strikes carried out to prevent an imminent attack, used by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War.

8. PLO (Palestine Liberation Organization): Established in 1964, the PLO represents Palestinian political interests and was originally led by Yasser Arafat.

9. Yom Kippur War (1973): Fought by Egypt and Syria against Israel on the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur, leading to a stalemate and eventual peace talks.

10. Camp David Accords: A 1979 peace agreement brokered by the U.S. between Egypt and Israel, leading to Egypt recognizing Israel.

11. “Land for Peace”: A principle proposing that Israel return occupied territories in exchange for peace with Arab states.

12. Intifada: Palestinian uprisings against Israeli rule, with two major ones occurring in 1987-1993 and 2000-2005.

13. Fatah: A major Palestinian political party and the dominant faction of the PLO, led by Yasser Arafat.

14. Hamas: Islamist Palestinian militant group, founded in 1987, which opposes Israel's existence and controls Gaza since 2007.

1. Pan-Arabism: Ideology advocating for the political unity of Arab countries based on shared cultural and historical ties.

2. League of Arab States: Regional organization of Arab countries formed in 1945 to promote economic, cultural, and political cooperation.

3. Nasser: Gamal Abdel Nasser, president of Egypt (1956–1970), a leading figure in Arab nationalism and Pan-Arabism.

4. United Arab Republic (UAR): A short-lived political union between Egypt and Syria (1958-1961) aimed at creating a unified Arab state.

5. Suez Canal Crisis: A 1956 conflict triggered by Egypt's nationalization of the Suez Canal, involving Israel, Britain, and France, leading to international pressure on Egypt.

1. UN Res 194: 1948 resolution calling for the return of Palestinian refugees or compensation, and for Jerusalem to be administered internationally.

2. UN Res 242: 1967 resolution calling for Israeli withdrawal from occupied territories and the recognition of every state’s right to live in peace.

3. Oslo Accords: 1993 agreements between Israel and the PLO, resulting in mutual recognition and a framework for peace.

4. Clinton Plan: A 2000 peace proposal by U.S. President Bill Clinton aiming for a two-state solution, rejected by both sides.

5. Quartet Roadmap: A 2003 international peace initiative involving the U.S., UN, EU, and Russia to facilitate a two-state solution.

6. PLO: See above.

7. Arafat: Yasser Arafat, leader of the PLO and Palestinian Authority, known for negotiating the Oslo Accords and his role in the peace process.

8. Rabin: Yitzhak Rabin, Israeli Prime Minister who signed the Oslo Accords in 1993 and was assassinated in 1995.

9. Two-state solution: A proposed solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, envisioning an independent Israel and Palestine.

10. Right of return: The principle that Palestinian refugees and their descendants have the right to return to their homes in Israel.

1. Hamas: See above.

2. Hezbollah: Shiite militant group based in Lebanon, supported by Iran, which opposes Israel’s existence.

3. October 7, 2023: A significant Hamas attack on Israel, involving widespread violence and casualties.

4. Benjamin ‘Bibi’ Netanyahu: Israeli politician and former prime minister known for his right-wing policies and long tenure in office.

5. Israeli settlements: Jewish communities established in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, considered illegal under international law but supported by Israel.

6. Casualties/Deaths: Refers to the human toll of conflicts, including the death and injury of both Israeli and Palestinian civilians. 

- 1896: Herzl publishes The Jewish State.

- 1914-1918: WWI.

- 1923-1948: British Mandate in Palestine.

- 1939-1945: WWII and Holocaust.

- 1947: UN Resolution 181 proposing partition.

- 1948: 1st Arab-Israeli War, Israel's War of Independence.

- 1956: Suez Canal Crisis.

- 1958-1961: United Arab Republic.

- 1967: Six-Day War, UN Res 242.

- 1973: Yom Kippur War.

- 1979: Camp David Accords.

- 1988-89 & 2000-2005: First and Second Intifadas.