The document discusses the historical and religious context of the Israel-Palestine conflict, tracing the lineage of Abraham and the promises made to his descendants, and the subsequent sociopolitical developments over the centuries. It covers the rise of Palestinian nationalism, the impact of Jewish emigration and Zionism, British colonial policies, and the establishment of Israel in 1948, including the Arab-Israeli wars and shifts in demographics. Key events such as the Balfour Declaration, the Holocaust, various uprisings, and international responses are detailed, culminating in ongoing tensions over land and identity in the region.

1. Background to the Problem of Israel and Palestine

2. God’s covenant with Abraham “ You shall be the father of many nations” “ I will establish my covenant between me and you and your descendants for ever” “ I will give to you, and to your descendants, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God” Genesis 17:4-8

3. Questions Who are the descendants of Abraham? What is the land of Canaan? To whom should the land belong? What authority does such a promise made 4000 years ago have today?

4. Abraham’s family

5. Abraham and Ishmael God promised Abraham he would have a son But Sarah his wife was 77 years old So Sarah suggested to Abraham that he have a son through her maid Hagar Sarah presenting Hagar to Abraham

6. Abraham’s family Abraham Hagar Sarah Ishmael

7. Abraham and Isaac 13 years later God spoke to Abraham: “ I will bless Sarah and I will give you a son by her; and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples shall come from her.” Genesis 17:16 An angel speaks to Abraham

8. Abraham’s family Abraham Hagar Sarah Ishmael Isaac “ Sarah said to Abraham, ‘Cast out this slave woman with her son; for the son of this slave woman shall not be the heir with my son Isaac.’” Genesis 21:10

9. God’s promises about Ishmael “ I will bless [Ishmael] and make him fruitful and he shall be the father of 12 princes and I will make him a great nation. But I will establish my covenant with Isaac.” Genesis 17:20-21 Abraham sending Hagar and Ishmael away

10. Abraham offers his son God told Abraham to offer his son as a burnt offering on Mount Moriah The Bible says this son was Isaac Muslims believe it was Ishmael Jacob had his dream of the ladder going up to heaven on this rock The Rock

11. Holy site for Jews and Muslims On this rock the Jewish Temple was built Muslims believe that on his Night Journey Muhammad went to visit heaven from this rock Now it is covered by the Dome of the Rock shrine Model of Solomon’s Temple Dome of the Rock

12. Building the Ka’aba Later Abraham and Ishmael built the Ka’aba, the first house for the worship of God ‘ As Abraham raised the foundations of the shrine, together with Ishmael (they prayed): “Our Lord, accept this from us. You are the Hearer, the Omniscient.”’ Qu’ran 2:127 Ishmael and Abraham pray after building the Ka’aba

13. Muhammad and the Ka’aba Muhammad helped to rebuild the Ka’aba In 630 Muhammad cleared the Ka’aba of its idols It is an obligation for Muslims to go on Hajj once in their lifetime if they can afford it Muhammad praying at Ka’aba Pilgrims circling the Ka’aba

14. Abraham’s descendants Abraham Hagar Sarah Ishmael Isaac Arab nation Muhammad Islam Jewish people Judaism Christianity Jesus

15. Into and out of Egypt Jacob’s family move to Egypt Exodus Hebrews led by Moses return to Canaan

16. 12 tribes of Israel settle in Canaan

17. The Israelite kingdom King David ruled Israel from 990 BCE to 968 BCE His son King Solomon expanded the kingdom 931 BCE - kingdom split into Judah (south) and Israel (north) 722 BCE - Assyria destroyed the northern kingdom of Israel

18. One empire after another Babylonian Empire 600 BCE Persian Empire 539 BCE Greek Empire 333 BCE Roman Empire 63 BCE

19. Israel under Rome King Herod appointed king of Israel by Rome from 40 BCE to 4 BCE After Herod’s death kingdom divided Jesus 4 BCE – 30 CE

20. Jesus crucified in Jerusalem Jesus was tried and put to death in Jerusalem Many Christian holy sites Church of the Holy Sepulchre Tomb of the Virgin Mary

21. Destruction of Jerusalem and Israel First Jewish revolt against Roman rule Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple 70 CE Second Jewish revolt 132-135 CE 500,000 Jews killed, 985 villages destroyed Jews forbidden to live in Jerusalem Judea renamed Palaestina Arch of Titus in Rome

22. New Jewish Diaspora

23. Byzantine Holy Land Emperor Constantine supported Christianity Empress Helena started building of many churches Pilgrimages to Holy Land and Jerusalem developed Church of the Annunciation Nazareth The Basillica in Bethlehem

24. Rise of Islam Muhammad “the Seal of the Prophets” born 570 Islam the heir of the promises given to Abraham, Moses and Jesus Jihad to establish Muslim hegemony to facilitate the spread of Islam Muhammad preaching in Makkah

25. Conquest of the Holy land Caliph Umar conquored Palestine & Jerusalem from Byzantines in 638 Al-Aksa Mosque built 674 Dome of the Rock built in 687 Jewish and Christian pilgrims allowed to freely visit holy sites Caliph Umar enters Jerusalem

26. Expansion of the Islamic Empire

27. New rulers, new policies Fatimid dynasty established in Egypt in 969 Caliph Al-Hakim bi-Amr destroyed Church of the Holy Sepulchre in 1009 Seljuk Turks defeated Byzantines at Battle of Manzikert in 1071 and seized Anatolia Christian pilgrim routes threatened Crusade to retake Jerusalem and protect pilgrims preached by Pope Urban II in 1095

28. The Crusades There were 9 Crusades Jerusalem captured in 1099 and its population massacred Saladin recaptured Jerusalem in 1187 Crusader rule in Syria ended 1291 Constantinople conquered by Ottomans in 1453

29. Ottoman Empire (1299 - 1923) Ottoman Empire expanded into Europe until defeated at 2 nd siege of Vienna 1683

30. Recent Jewish history

31. Anti-Semitism or Judeophobia Forced conversion and baptism Compulsory Christian sermons in synagogues Public disputations Burning of Jewish books Forced into ghettos Restrictions on professions Expulsions and slaughter Genocide Holocaust denial

32. Expulsions of Jews

33. Growth of Jewish community in the Land of Israel Jews always lived in the Land of Israel Return to Jerusalem and Israel a constant theme in Judaism Jews often emigrated there in Middle Ages Jewish philanthropists sponsored agricultural settlements in 19th century Mikveh Israel agricultural school 1870 Petah Tiqwa founded 1880

34. Growth of Zionism Movement to support a Jewish homeland in the Biblical Land of Israel Response to rampant anti-Semitism of 19th century Europe Russian pogroms and expulsions of 1880s Dreyfus Affair in France in 1890s Persecution 1930s and Holocaust 1940s Secular but with religious roots Desire for a refuge from persecution Desire to be self-governing independent nation 1st Zionist Congress 1897

35. World War I Allies Britain France Russia USA Central Powers Germany Austria-Hungary Turkey/Ottoman Empire

36. Sykes-Picot Agreement 1915-16 The British and French signed a secret agreement on post-WW I spheres of influence Fixed the southern border of Israel

37. Britain’s agreement with the Arabs In 1916 Britain promised the Sharif of Mecca it would support Arab independence if they revolted against the Ottomans except in these areas: The districts of Mersin and Alexandretta, and portions of Syria lying to the west of the districts of Damascus, Homs, Hama and Aleppo, cannot be said to be purely Arab, and must on that account be excepted from the proposed delimitation. Sir Henry MacMahon 1915

38. Did this include Palestine? Did the area to be excluded from Arab control include the Sanjak of Jerusalem and the Vilayet of Beirut, in other words Palestine? The Arabs said “No” The British in 1922 said “Yes”

39. Balfour Declaration 1917 "His Majesty's Government view with favour the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people , and will use their best endeavours to facilitate the achievement of this object, it being clearly understood that nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine , or the rights and political status enjoyed by Jews in any other country."

40. British Mandate Britain given control of Palestine by Versailles Conference in 1919 Faisal-Weizmann Agreement signed In 1920 the League of Nations gave Britain the mandate to administer Palestine and establish a Jewish homeland

41. Separation of Palestine from Jordan In 1921 Britain stopped Jewish settlement in Transjordan and gave the territory to Emir Abdullah who later became the first King of Jordan

42. Rise of Palestinian nationalism Muhammad Amin al-Husseini, a convicted anti-Jewish rioter, made Grand Mufti despite opposition of Muslim High Council in 1922 He eliminated Arabs who opposed him and who wanted to cooperate with Jews Instigated Arab revolts in 1920, 1927, 1936 Poisoned Jewish – Palestinian relations until today

43. Muhammad Amin al-Husseini He stayed with Hitler during WW2 and encouraged the Holocaust: “ The Mufti was one of the initiators of the systematic extermination of European Jewry and had been a collaborator and adviser of Eichmann and Himmler in the execution of this plan. ... He was one of Eichmann's best friends and had constantly incited him to accelerate the extermination measures.” Eichmann's deputy Dieter Wisliceny at Nuremburg Trials Yasser Arafat was Husseini’s nephew

44. Between a rock and a hard place Jews wanted unlimited emigration to Palestine to escape persecution in Europe and verbally and violently rejected British attempts to limit immigration Arabs opposed Jewish immigration as they saw it would lead to a Jewish majority and the loss of their country. So they verbally and violently attacked Britain for allowing it

45. Inconsistent British policy British Zionists versus British Arabists Arabists – Jewish emigration wrong: threatened British interests in Arab world namely oil & India Zionists – Supported Jewish emigration due to mandate obligations and for humanitarian and sometimes religious reasons British policy fluctuated, giving in to the community which used the most violence

46. The demography of Jerusalem Jerusalem: Jewish, Muslim, and Christian Population (1910-2000)

47. The demography of Palestine Mandate Palestine: Arab / Jewish Population (1914 - 1946)

48. The demography of Israel Israel: Jewish / Arab Population (1949-2003)

49. Jews in Europe in 1933

50. Jewish emigration

51. Extent of the Holocaust 72 5,978,000 8,301,000 Total 60 313,000 522,000 Others 60 90,000 150,000 Holland 90 135,000 150,000 Lithuania 81 171,000 210,000 Germany 30 90,000 300,000 France 82 260,000 315,000 Czechoslovakia 50 200,000 404,000 Hungary 50 425,000 850,000 Romania 71 1,500,000 2,100,000 Soviet Union 85 2,800,000 3,300,000 Poland Percentage of Jews murdered Number Jews murdered Jewish pop. Sept. 1939 Country

52. Jews in Europe in 1950

53. UN partition plan of 1947 2 state solution with Jerusalem under international control Most Jews accepted the plan Arab leadership in and out of Palestine rejected the plan Britain refused to implement the plan and ended mandate on 15 th May 1948

54. Arab-Israeli war of 1948 April 9 th Deir Yassin massacre of 107 Arabs prompted many Arab villagers to flee April 13 th Jewish medical convoy attacked killing 77 medical staff and civilians May 14 th Israel declaration of independence May 15 th Arab declaration to create a United State of Palestine Israel invaded by 5 Arab armies

55. After the 1949 armistice The territory of the State of Israel proposed by the UN in 1947 Territory conquered by Israel 1948-49 New frontier agreed in 1949 armistice West Bank annexed by Jordan in 1950

56. Refugees, refugees 600,000 Jews expelled/encouraged to leave Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Egypt etc. They left behind houses, businesses, possessions They fled to Israel where they settled 720,000 Palestinians fled to Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, West Bank, Gaza They were not given citizenship but kept in refugee camps until today

57. Palestinian refugees 1948 “ The Arab States encouraged the Palestine Arabs to leave their homes temporarily in order to be out of the way of the Arab invasion armies,” Jordanian newspaper Filastin (February 19, 1949)

58. Refugee problem perpetuated Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Saudi Arabia all refuse to grant citizenship to Palestinians or allow them to settle or take up employment Only Jordan welcomed Palestinians and granted them citizenship on the basis that Jordanians and Palestinians were both Arabs In 1952 the UN set up a $200m fund to resettle the refugees but it was left untouched

59. Insistence on a ‘right of return’ “Any discussion aimed at a solution of the Palestine problem which will not be based on ensuring the refugees' right to annihilate Israel will be regarded as a desecration of the Arab people and an act of treason.” Resolution passed at the Refugee Conference at Homs, Syria in 1957

60. Jewish refugees 1948 In 1948 800,000 Jews were encouraged or forced to leave Muslim countries where their ancestors had lived for up to 2500 years. Their possessions were seized without compensation. About 600,000 settled in Israel and were given citizenship. Another 300,000 sought refuge elsewhere. 20,800 1,002,270 Total 100 23,270 Ethiopia 200 63,000 Yemen 300 2,000 Pakistan 2 5,000 Afghanistan 12,500 100,000 Iran 100 150,000 Iraq 200 30,000 Syria 0 6,000 Lebanon 200 75,000 Egypt 0 38,000 Libya 1,300 105,000 Tunisia 100 140,000 Algeria 5,800 265,000 Morocco Jewish population Jewish population Country 2000 1948

61. Lead up to the war of 1967 18 th May Egypt asked UN peacekeepers to be removed from Sinai Sinai remilitarized by Egypt 22 nd May Straits of Tiran closed to Israeli shipping 30 th May Egypt, Jordan & Syria sign military pact Other Arab countries mobilise armies

62. Arab declarations of intent "If Israel embarks on an aggression against Syria or Egypt...The battle will be a general one and our basic objective will be to destroy Israel." President Nasser of Egypt 26 th May 1967 "The existence of Israel is an error which must be rectified. This is our opportunity to wipe out the ignominy which has been with us since 1948. Our goal is clear - to wipe Israel off the map." President Aref of Iraq 4 th June 1967

63. Six-Day War 5 th June Israel launches pre-emptive strike against Egypt & Syria 5 th June Jordan attacks Israel 7 th June Israel occupies Old City and West Bank 10 th June Israel captures Golan Heights 11 th June ceasefire signed

64. Khartoum Resolution On September 1 st 1967 8 Arab countries met and declared: No peace with Israel No recognition of Israel No negotiations with Israel

65. Expansion of Jewish population in occupied territories Initially few settlements as Israel hoped to return captured land in exchange for peace No possibility of peace settlements start 1977 Likud government encouraged settlements 177,000 130,000 75,000 9,200 0 300 Parts of Jerusalem annexed in 1967 0 8,000 4,800 900 700 0 30 Gaza Strip 231,800 111,600 22,800 800 0 480 West Bank (excl. Jerusalem) 2005 2004 1993 1983 1972 1966 1948 Jewish population

66. Settlements Communities built by Israel in areas captured during Six-Day War: West Bank East Jerusalem Gaza Golan Heights Sinai Declared illegal by UN resolutions Israel claims they are legal Ma ' ale Levona settlement

67. Settlements Settlements now occupy 50% of Palestinian land Method of taking control of land often violated due process and natural justice Palestinians’ human rights violated

68. 1973 Arab-Israeli War On Yom Kippur (6 th October) Egypt and Syria launched a surprise attack and made much progress By end of 2 nd week Israel had fought back Israel pushed Syria out of Golan Heights and counter-attacked Egypt in Sinai 24 th October ceasefire and disengagement talks

69. Camp David Accords November 1977 President Sadat travels to Israel Camp David talks in 1978 mediated by President Carter Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty 1979 US financial support for Egypt and Israel Arab world disunited Sadat assassinated 1981 President Sadat arrives in Israel Sadat, Carter and Begin

70. 1st Intifada 1987-1993

71. Causes of Intifada 1987-1993 Growing Palestinian frustration at lack of progress towards a settlement Lack of support from Egypt or Jordan Worsening Israeli oppression Jewish settlements increasing Growing population and unemployment Spontaneous uprising led by community councils

72. Results of Intifada 1,612 Palestinians killed including 241 children. 100s informers killed by militia 160 Israelis killed Embittered Israeli-Palestinian relations Palestinian self-identity strengthened Israel criticised by international community Damaged both economies esp. tourism Led to Madrid Conference and Oslo Accords

73. Oslo Accords 1993 Israel: Recognised PLO as representative of Palestinians Agreed to withdraw from Gaza and West Bank Agreed to gradual transfer to Palestinian Authority PLO: Recognized right of the State of Israel to exist Renounced terrorism, violence and desire to destroy Israel Rabin, Clinton and Arafat 13 th September 1993 Other Palestinian reactions Hamas, Islamic Jihad & Popular Front rejected Accords as they rejected Israel’s right to exist

74. Israel-Jordan Peace Treaty 1994 Washington Declaration signed by Rabin, Hussein and Clinton Settled border Normalised relations Jordan’s position as guardian of Muslim Holy Sites in Jerusalem affirmed 1995 Rabin assassinated Rabin, Clinton and Hussein

75. Gaza separation barrier Built in 1994 by Rabin to "take Gaza out of Tel Aviv” Since 1996 suicide bombers prevented from entering Israel Hamas developed Qassam rockets instead

76. Camp David 2000 Clinton, Barak and Arafat to negotiate “final status settlement” No agreement reached over 3 issues Territory Jerusalem and the Temple Mount Refugees and the 'right of return' Arafat blamed for failure of the summit

77. Second Intifada 2000-2005 Sharon visited Temple Mount with approval and agreement of Arafat and other officials Next day riots in Jerusalem and West Bank Some analysts believe the Intifada was pre-planned and orchestrated Sharon visits Temple mount

78. Descent into violence Riots and murders by Palestinians Heavy handed response by Israelis Palestinians smuggle in illegal weapons Suicide bombings of civilians in clubs, hotels, buses, cafes Bus in Jerusalem 2002 Muhammad al-Durrah shot 2000

79. Intensification of conflict IDF reoccupies Palestinian areas 150 suicide bombings between 09/00-12/05 “ Battle of Jenin” 2002 52 Palestinians killed 23 Israeli soldiers killed Israel starts to build a separation barrier Area of Jenin where fighting occurred Suicide bombers in Jenin

80. Separation Barrier “ Fence for Life” movement starts 2001 Prevent terrorists entering Israeli cities Prevent illegal entry by Palestinians Approximately follows 1949 Green Line Not supposed to be a legal border

81. Results of the barrier For: Incidents of terrorism reduced by 90% - 2002-5 Fewer checkpoints, roadblocks and Israeli incursions Economic growth in West Bank and Israel Against: Most of the barrier is built illegally on Palestinian land Severed Palestinian communities and access to services, livelihoods and religious and cultural amenities Destruction of trees and loss of agricultural land Alleged to be attempt to annex Palestinian land and to pre-empt final status negotiations

82. Road Map for Peace Proposed 2002 by ‘Quartet’ of UN, US, EU and Russia - April 2003 Goal: An independent Palestinian state living side by side in peace with the State of Israel Abbas, Bush and Sharon at Red Sea Summit in Aqaba, Jordan June 4 2003

83. Phase 1 End to Palestinian violence Suicide bombings and missile attacks continue Palestinian political reform Prime Minister appointed Israeli withdrawal and freeze on settlement expansion Israel leaves Bethlehem (2003), unilaterally leaves Gaza (2005) and closes some settlements in West Bank Palestinian elections Mahmoud Abbas elected President January 2005 Hamas win parliamentary elections January 2006

84. Phase 2 International Conference to support Palestinian economic recovery and launch a process, leading to establishment of an independent Palestinian state with provisional borders Revival of multilateral engagement on issues including regional water resources, environment, economic development, refugees, and arms control issues Arab states restore pre-Intifada links to Israel (trade offices, etc.)

85. Hostilities resume 2006 The “Road Map for Peace” broke down Hamas elected in Palestine on platform of destroying the State of Israel Hizbollah attacks Israel as part of its goal of eliminating Israel Iran declares that it will eliminate Israel

86. What is required? A Spiritual Road Map for Peace

89. Development of Judeophobic mythology Antiquity – Jews accused of being: Lepars Misogynists Lazy Middle Ages – Jews accused of being: God - killers Drinkers of Christian blood Partners of Satan Modern – Jews accused of: Trying to take over the world Racial pollution Money grabbers

90. Lebanon In 1970 PLO expelled from Jordan and moved to Lebanon PLO attacked Israel from Lebanon Delicate Christian-Muslim balance upset and led to Lebanese civil war in 1975 Syria sent in peace-keeping force which sided with the Muslims PLO controlled South Lebanon

91. Sunni-Shia division Disagreement about who should have inherited authority and leadership Shia believed ruler should be from family of the Prophet. Mostly in Persia/Iran & Iraq Sunni believed ruler could be any qualified person. Arabs and most Muslim countries Some differences in practice and belief

92. One empire after another Umayyad dynasty (661-750) Sunni, Arab, capital Damascus. Later Spain Abbasid dynasty (750-1258) Sunni/Shia, Arab/Persian, capital Bagdad. Power fractured amongst regional dynasties Ottoman Empire (1299-1922) Safavid dynasty (1501-1722) based in Persia

93. Umayyad dynasty (661-750) Sunni Arab Capital Damascus Huge expansion of Islamic lands Continued in Spain until 1031

94. Abbasid dynasty (750-1258) Sunni/Shia Arab/Persian Capital Bagdad Power fractured amongst regional dynasties Dynasty ended with the sack of Bagdad by the Mongols