The last decade has been a tumultuous time in Israeli-Arab relations. Much has happened and it seems that the 21st century will be a crucial time for the region.
After the 6 day war, Israel returns the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt in exchange for peace. Tragedy struck in 2001, when the United States was hit with a terrorist attack on September, 11. This resulted in the invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq. In 2002, due to the increasing escalation in the region, Israel constructs the West Bank Barrier for safety purposes. However, this only further increases tension between the 2 sides. In 2004, Yassar Arafat dies and his corruption exposed. This causes a backlash against his political party, Fatah. In 2005, Israel removes Israeli citizens from the Gaza Strip and returns it to Palestine. Hamas, denounced as a terrorist organization by the UN and many nations, win the Palestinian elections. Nations refuse to recognize Hamas and Palestine is left with no government, no money, no aid, and no economy. This combined with the Israeli blockade cause the Palestinian citizens to suffer. Due to terrorist attacks coming from the recently turned over Gaza Strip, Israel enforces Operation Cast Lead and fires rockets into Gaza. The resulting conflict and Palestinian civil War culminates in 2009 with Hamas taking over the Gaza Strip and Fatah taking over the West Bank. Today, tensions are still alarmingly high due to the recent conflicts as well as Israel announcing new housing settlements in East Jerusalem. Continued tension and conflict in the region between Israel and the Middle East cause events such as the 2010 IHH Gaza Flotilla incident where a "humanitarian" flotilla was boarded by Israeli troops who were in return, attacked. The Israeli troops responded in kind and 9 deaths occurred. The increase in housing settlements and singular events such as the Flotilla incident serve to only exacerbate conflict in the region.
After having taken this course, I for one, am excited and hopeful to see headway made towards peace in the region. It will be difficult, but I believe in time, it can be done. The deep-seated resentment between the 2 sides (the Israelis and the Palestinians) due to years and years of conflict may be harder to wash away; however, in this too, I am hopeful.
After the 6 day war, Israel returns the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt in exchange for peace. Tragedy struck in 2001, when the United States was hit with a terrorist attack on September, 11. This resulted in the invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq. In 2002, due to the increasing escalation in the region, Israel constructs the West Bank Barrier for safety purposes. However, this only further increases tension between the 2 sides. In 2004, Yassar Arafat dies and his corruption exposed. This causes a backlash against his political party, Fatah. In 2005, Israel removes Israeli citizens from the Gaza Strip and returns it to Palestine. Hamas, denounced as a terrorist organization by the UN and many nations, win the Palestinian elections. Nations refuse to recognize Hamas and Palestine is left with no government, no money, no aid, and no economy. This combined with the Israeli blockade cause the Palestinian citizens to suffer. Due to terrorist attacks coming from the recently turned over Gaza Strip, Israel enforces Operation Cast Lead and fires rockets into Gaza. The resulting conflict and Palestinian civil War culminates in 2009 with Hamas taking over the Gaza Strip and Fatah taking over the West Bank. Today, tensions are still alarmingly high due to the recent conflicts as well as Israel announcing new housing settlements in East Jerusalem. Continued tension and conflict in the region between Israel and the Middle East cause events such as the 2010 IHH Gaza Flotilla incident where a "humanitarian" flotilla was boarded by Israeli troops who were in return, attacked. The Israeli troops responded in kind and 9 deaths occurred. The increase in housing settlements and singular events such as the Flotilla incident serve to only exacerbate conflict in the region.
After having taken this course, I for one, am excited and hopeful to see headway made towards peace in the region. It will be difficult, but I believe in time, it can be done. The deep-seated resentment between the 2 sides (the Israelis and the Palestinians) due to years and years of conflict may be harder to wash away; however, in this too, I am hopeful.
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