Ethnic & Religious Conflicts

Israel & Palestine: A 50-Year Conflict

Background Israel was called “Palestine” before 1948. Both Jews and Arabs have religious roots to Palestine/Israel; each

group claims it as their homeland. Jews kicked out of Palestine many years ago; in the meantime,

Muslims settled there

The beginning Jews wanted to come back to their homeland because they were

being persecuted against Zionist idea: coming back would make them safe

Arabs unhappy! Jews begin to immigrate in anyway

Israel & Palestine

WW1 & WW2 WW1 established Britain as the country to control Palestine WW2 allowed British and American sentiment to the Jews

Why? more Jewish immigration into Palestine!

United Nations create boundary proposal in 1947; Palestinians (Muslims) reject it

Establishment of Israel Britain establishes the Jewish state of Israel in May, 1948 WAR!

The Events & Agreement

Constant warfare over time

Resolutions & Agreement Camp David Agreement: Jimmy Carter (1978)

Between Egypt & Israel Sinai would be released to Egypt; agreed to negotiate about having

an autonomous government in the West Bank & Gaza Strip Camp David Summit: Bill Clinton (2000)

Tried for negotiations…but still divided today, especially when violence resumed in 2002

http://www.theguardian.com/world/interactive/2011/sep/14/map-israel-palestinian-territories

Iranian Revolution: Background Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, restored into

power with the help of the USA

What he did: Created a one-party state Gave women freedoms Created a modern economy

Seen as a “puppet” for the West (USA, in particular)

Also disliked by conservatives, who didn’t believe women should have ANY power

Lived a LAVISH lifestyle

Iranian Revolution 1978: People who opposed the

Shah began protests in the capital city of Tehran Conservatives, led by

Ayatollah Khomeini, unhappy with women’s freedoms

Middle class: wanted more freedom

January 1979 Shah and family flee Iran Khomeini establishes a

theocracy ruled by Islamic religious leaders

Iran Under Khomeini

Country now led by Khomeini and an army of “spiritual enforcers” (Revolutionary Guards)

Women lost rights Couldn’t vote Required to wear full head coverings and full-body

cloaks

Viewed United States as “the Great Satan” and an “enemy of Islam”

Iranian Hostage Crisis

Iranians angry with USA after the US allowed the former Shah to come to the country for cancer treatment

November 4, 1979 Iranian college students swarm US Embassy in Tehran, capture 66 Americans

14-month standoff: USA vs. Iran Botched rescue operation by USA to 8 American deaths Yellow ribbons worn for support of captured Americans Hostages released after 444 days—the moment Ronald Reagan took the oath

of office (January 20, 1981)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8bC1DEYbI4

What happened next?

Shah died in 1980

Ayatollah Khomeini died in 1989, but tensions remained between US government & Iranian government Current issue: nuclear weapons

Civilians in Iran see USA more favorably (they like our freedom)

Current SUPREME leader: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Lifetime appointment

Current head of government: Hassan Rouhani (NOT Ahmadinejad)

Gulf Wars Iraq-Iran War: 1980-1988

War over border disputes between Iraq & Iran from 1980-1988

Persian Gulf War: 1990s Iraq vs. Kuwait Began when Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait, took over oil fields U.S., other Middle Eastern countries teamed up together to get

Hussein out of Kuwait; succeed! Also placed an embargo, or trade ban, against Iraq

“As long as oil is still the #1 energy producer, oil-purchasing countries will work to protect it!”

Arab Spring(Still Ongoing)

Brief Background Series of protests in the Middle East

December 2010-present

Began with “burning man” protest in Tunisia Protests of police corruption

Why? Some factors: Absolute rule no voice in the people Government corruption Human rights violations Wealthy gov. with people in poverty Unemployment

To date: Governments overthrown in Tunisia, Libya & Egypt Civil disorder in Syria & Yemen Major protests in Algeria and Iraq (and now Syria)

Egypt

Height: January 25-February 11, 2011

Inspired by “burning man” protest in Tunisia

Mainly non-violent demonstrations, civil marches

Call for President Mubarak’s resignation

Government response Internet is shut down from January 27-February 5, 2011 Foreign journalists jailed, some beaten (eventually released) Mubarak claims he would not step down

A day after refusing to step down, Mubarak resigns as president & leaves Cairo

Current President: Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi currently in the process of joint forces against ISIS/ISIL

Libya February 2011-October 2011

Protest corrupt leadership of Muammar Gaddafi Natural resource, petroleum, contributed to high GDP per capita; people still living in poverty, still

high unemployment rates Also poor healthcare system, untreated sewage

Protests CIVIL WAR

UN’s role: Security Council froze assets of Gaddafi, which prevented them from travelling too far Established no-fly zone to protect attacks on civilians

Interim governing body replaced Gaddafi government in September

Gaddafi captured & killed on October 20,2011

Still clashes and conflicts in the region; current PM: Abdullah al-Thani

“We’ll stay here until the pain is gone.”

Rebels celebrating the death of Gaddafi

ONGOING: Syria March 2011-present

Began with protesting the torture of students who had put up anti-government graffiti

Crackdowns by President Bashar al-Assad open fire on demonstrators

CIVIL WAR! Christians, others fleeing to Iraq; economic sanctions placed against Syria Parts of eastern Syria currently under ISIS control Infectious diseases and deaths resulting from these have risen due to a lack

of sanitation, decreasing access to health care, and an overall decline in standard of living

ISIS/ISIL

Radical Islamic group terrorizing Middle Eastern Countries (break-away group from Al Qaeda, who have since condemned them)

Ultimate goal: creation of a Sunni Islamic state in Iraq & Syria(didn’t gain much traction until June, 2014)

US, other western countries respond with air strikes: September 2014

Almost 1,500 militants have died as a result, but terrorist attacks and public beheadings have continued as ISIS acquires more land in the region