URL; http://www.adl.org/durban/zionism.asp
This is an article from the Anti-Defamation League, designed to "stop the defamation of the Jewish people ... to secure justice and fair treatment for all." This article is explaining Zionism, which is one of the aspects being acknowledged in my IA, in the process of determining to what extent Israel is a product of British involvement in the Middle East. Zionists, who are Jewish nationalists, were also one of the groups that contributed to Israel's development and establishment, so this serves as a background for me as to what Zionism really is, and when it became prominent.
It is described here as the Jewish national movement of rebirth and renewal in Israel, the birthplace of the Jewish people. Ever since the Jews were expelled from this land, the desire to return has been a key part of Jewish literature, prayer, ritual, and culture. Zionism emerged to prominence in the late 1800s as a result of anti-Semitism in Western Europe and persecution of Jews in Eastern Europe, and the "father" of modern Zionism was Theodor Herzl, an Austrian journalist who advocated for a Jewish state and homeland. Today, Zionism is a guiding national movement among many Jews, and some believe it is responsible for their determination to remain in Israel despite opposition among many.
The value of this information is that it shows me that in part, the establishment of Israel is in part due to intense Jewish nationalism, and the fact that the Jews have managed to fight opposition and remain established there for these turbulent 60 or so years shows me that they are a very proud and determined people, due to their desire to maintain their culture and establish a homeland for themselves once again. Zionism had been brought up in class and in my reading for my IA, but this clarifies for me what it actually means to the Jewish people.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Monday, April 12, 2010
Key Issues, Pages 45-50 of "Crisis in the Middle East".
1. How did Israel develop into a strong, modern state?
The Israeli Army, which helped to not only protect the nation but to shape it as well, were a major contributing factor. The "Law of Return" gave Jews from all over the world the right to be a citizen, and as a result, nearly 700,000 new immigrants arrived. In the army, they all received a similar training and learned Hebrew. Army experience helped to make the immigrants true Israelis, and with financial aid from the United States and reparations from Germany, the Israelis had the money to cultivate vast areas of desert. Also, new industries formed in the 1950s and 1960s such as cars, chemicals, and defense, and much money was spent on the armed forces to defend the country. Also, high quality education helped to push the country forward.
2. What part did Fatah play in the developing conflict between Israel and its Arab neighbors?
Fatah was part of the PLO (Palestinian Liberation Organization), whose aim was to win back the land that the Palestinians had lost to Israel. In 1965, Fatah carried out its first raid of Israel, and had its bases in Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon, all of which border Israel. The Jordanians and Lebanese tried to restrict PLO activities because they were afraid of Israeli reprisals, but the Syrians supported it and supplied men and arms.
3. Who was to blame for the outbreak of war in June 1967?
Neither side was to blame more than the other, as the region was sliding into a crisis that it could not control. Israel issued several threats to attack Syria if Syria did not stop supporting Palestinian attacks on Israel, and then on the other hand the USSR intervened on the side of Syria. The Soviets warned the Egyptians that Israel was planning to attack (which was untrue), causing Nasser to act in defense of Egypt. So really, neither side is to blame more than the other because there was a situation that could not be controlled all too well.
The Israeli Army, which helped to not only protect the nation but to shape it as well, were a major contributing factor. The "Law of Return" gave Jews from all over the world the right to be a citizen, and as a result, nearly 700,000 new immigrants arrived. In the army, they all received a similar training and learned Hebrew. Army experience helped to make the immigrants true Israelis, and with financial aid from the United States and reparations from Germany, the Israelis had the money to cultivate vast areas of desert. Also, new industries formed in the 1950s and 1960s such as cars, chemicals, and defense, and much money was spent on the armed forces to defend the country. Also, high quality education helped to push the country forward.
2. What part did Fatah play in the developing conflict between Israel and its Arab neighbors?
Fatah was part of the PLO (Palestinian Liberation Organization), whose aim was to win back the land that the Palestinians had lost to Israel. In 1965, Fatah carried out its first raid of Israel, and had its bases in Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon, all of which border Israel. The Jordanians and Lebanese tried to restrict PLO activities because they were afraid of Israeli reprisals, but the Syrians supported it and supplied men and arms.
3. Who was to blame for the outbreak of war in June 1967?
Neither side was to blame more than the other, as the region was sliding into a crisis that it could not control. Israel issued several threats to attack Syria if Syria did not stop supporting Palestinian attacks on Israel, and then on the other hand the USSR intervened on the side of Syria. The Soviets warned the Egyptians that Israel was planning to attack (which was untrue), causing Nasser to act in defense of Egypt. So really, neither side is to blame more than the other because there was a situation that could not be controlled all too well.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
IRL 18. April 11, 2010.
URL; http://www.sixdaywar.co.uk/
On the menu on the left, is a link to a list of quotes of people from Israel and the Arab countries made during the time of this war or the time preceding it, compiledon a British website dedicated to the Six Day War and providing details about all aspects of it. These quotes give much insight into how the leaders in these countries felt in regards to the situation, and as this war has been discussed in class as well as a couple of quotes (one of which stated that the Syrians would not make peace with Israel and wanted to drench the land in their blood and toss them back into the sea), these quotes will further my understanding. The following quotes stood out to me as particularly significant;
"In view of the fourteen incidents of sabotage and infiltration perpetrated in the past month alone, Israel may have no other choice but to adopt suitable countermeasures against the focal points of sabotage. Israel will continue to take action to prevent any and all attempts to perpetrate sabotage within her territory. There will be no immunity for any state which aids or abets such acts." - PM Levi Eshkol speech
This quote is significant because it demonstrates the Israeli motive to fight for what they perceived as their need to survive in the Middle East. Mention is made of 14 incidents of sabotage and infiltration, which would've been the reasons they would have needed to fight; if they wanted to survive, they would need to make every attempt they could to protect themselves when every country around them is against them. Their fate depended on it.
“All Egypt is now prepared to plunge into total war which will put an end to Israel” - Cairo Radio
The significance here is that Egypt (and most likely other Arab nations who shared common goals) would do anything to eliminate Israel, showing the hatred these surrounding countries had for Israel and how they desperately wanted to destroy Israel.
The limitations of these quotes are that although they were made in context of this war, it is not guaranteed that EVERYONE in Egypt for instance hated Israel and wanted a 'total war' in order to end Israel's existence. These quotes reflect the beliefs of those who could publicize their beliefs. Someone else who would have had no way of letting their opinions reach the public might have disagreed. But these quotes do say much about the popular opinion at the time.
On the menu on the left, is a link to a list of quotes of people from Israel and the Arab countries made during the time of this war or the time preceding it, compiledon a British website dedicated to the Six Day War and providing details about all aspects of it. These quotes give much insight into how the leaders in these countries felt in regards to the situation, and as this war has been discussed in class as well as a couple of quotes (one of which stated that the Syrians would not make peace with Israel and wanted to drench the land in their blood and toss them back into the sea), these quotes will further my understanding. The following quotes stood out to me as particularly significant;
"In view of the fourteen incidents of sabotage and infiltration perpetrated in the past month alone, Israel may have no other choice but to adopt suitable countermeasures against the focal points of sabotage. Israel will continue to take action to prevent any and all attempts to perpetrate sabotage within her territory. There will be no immunity for any state which aids or abets such acts." - PM Levi Eshkol speech
This quote is significant because it demonstrates the Israeli motive to fight for what they perceived as their need to survive in the Middle East. Mention is made of 14 incidents of sabotage and infiltration, which would've been the reasons they would have needed to fight; if they wanted to survive, they would need to make every attempt they could to protect themselves when every country around them is against them. Their fate depended on it.
“All Egypt is now prepared to plunge into total war which will put an end to Israel” - Cairo Radio
The significance here is that Egypt (and most likely other Arab nations who shared common goals) would do anything to eliminate Israel, showing the hatred these surrounding countries had for Israel and how they desperately wanted to destroy Israel.
The limitations of these quotes are that although they were made in context of this war, it is not guaranteed that EVERYONE in Egypt for instance hated Israel and wanted a 'total war' in order to end Israel's existence. These quotes reflect the beliefs of those who could publicize their beliefs. Someone else who would have had no way of letting their opinions reach the public might have disagreed. But these quotes do say much about the popular opinion at the time.
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