CONFLICT IN Israel

1. CONFLICT IN Israel Israel vs. Palestine

2. Essential Question • Why is there conflict in Israel?

3. “Jerusalem” by Matisyahu • What does the song title mean, and how does it relate to the song lyrics? • If you could come up with an alternate title for this song, what would it be? Why? • What is the songwriter trying to tell you? What do you think they were feeling when they wrote this song? • Do you agree or disagree with what they're saying? Why? • How did this song make you feel? Did you feel that it was expressing feelings that are similar to your own?

4. Palestine • The area around Israel and Jordan is referred to as Palestine. • This is where much of what was written in the Old Testament, New Testament and Quran took place. • The City of Jerusalem was especially important.

5. Palestine • Before WWII, this area was also referred to as Transjordan. • The only group who lived in the area at this time were Muslims (aka Palestinians) • Many Jewish people had felt that this area should belong to them, since it was promised to them by God thousands of years before. • As it is written in the Old Testament.

6. Zionism • The groups that felt Jews should be given a homeland in Zion, or those parts of Palestine where the Jewish people had lived in Biblical times were known as ZIONISTS.

7. After WWII • During WWII, the Jewish of Europe suffered terribly at the hands of the Nazis. • Over six million European Jews were placed in concentration camps and murdered by the Nazi German government. • This period of murder became known as the HOLOCAUST. • There was widespread ANTI-SEMITISM (hatred of Jews) in Europe even after the war.

8. After WWII • At the end of the war, the newly created United Nations believed something should be done for the world’s Jews • In 1948, the United Nations voted to create a homeland in Palestine and founded the nation of Israel.

9. The Nation of Israel • Many Zionists (Jews) began moving to the area. • This upset many Muslims in the area. • They felt this was THEIR homeland • Many other Middle Eastern countries were angry as well, and refused to recognize the new country. • The United Nations backed the Jewish nation with military help • Palestinians (Muslims) were forced into certain areas of Israel

10. Israel vs. Palestine • For the past 60 years, the two groups have fought over land in the area. • Palestinians (Muslims) • Believe this is their Holy Land. They believe Mohammed went to heaven while in the city of Jerusalem • They feel this was their home, and they were wrongly forced to leave. • Muslims lived here for thousands of years

11. Israel vs. Palestine • Israelites (Jews) • Jews feel this land was promised to them by God. • The first Jewish kingdom was built by King David in Jerusalem in 996 BC • Jews believe Mount Zion (Where Abraham was asked to slay his son Isaac) is in Jerusalem. • King David’s son Solomon built a great temple in Jerusalem. • It was destroyed in 586 BC, but one wall still remains • Jews consider this “Wailing Wall” the Holiest spot in the world to their faith.

13. Israel vs. Palestine • Today, the two groups continually fight over the land. • The Israelis have more military power and more people • For this reason, many more Palestinians have died in the struggle. • Some Palestinians have resorted to using terrorist attacks to win the fight • Bombing buses and buildings.

14. Israel vs. Palestine • For this reason, Israelis force Muslims to live either in the West Bank or Gaza Strip. • Palestinians are not free to move about the country. • In fact, Israelis are building a wall around the two areas to keep Palestinians out of the rest of Israel.

17. Writing to Learn • Israeli or Palestinian • 5-7 Sentences • Assume the role of an Israeli or Palestinian and argue for why your people should control the area.