It is my 13th day in Washington DC, Monday, For the International Programs student, we have a Monday Program every Monday. Have you ever wondered what is happening between Israel and Palestine? How the other Arab nations are involved? Why is US so concerned about it? Well, this short blog might just answer your question.
Background
In 1948 the Jewish state was formed and as many of us know there has been war ongoing here and there ever since. One particular year, 1967 Israel had a war against Lebanon, Syria and the other Arab nations. Israel conquered the Golah Heights from Syria. (*The Arab-Israel Peace Settlement was to exchange the land for peace between the Israel and the other nations)
Israel's land is claimed by the Jews based on the promises they believe God gave them. Hence, whatever land in the bible that is traced out to belong to them, the Israelite are clinging on to them. A particular piece of land, the West Bank (name is because it is located West of the Jordan River) is of particular contention as both Israel and Arabs believe that the Holy land belongs to them. The West Bank belongs to Palestine BUT Israel settlements (about 300K people) has been building up in the West Bank.
Of course, how can we forget about Jerusalem, the Holy land.. The thing is that Palestine wants to make Jerusalem their Capital, but there are so many Israel settlements there that they can't do it. Hence, peace making will be to split the land between them. But the question then is: "How to split the land?"
(It is also important to note that in Israel's point of view peace and security is important but in Arabs point of view land and justice is important. Hence, there has been conflict over the land. )
2 state settlement
The suggested peace settlement is then to split Jerusalem to EAST AND WEST between them. East is where the Holy Land is. As mentioned that is where the Palestine wants their capital to be but there are too many Jewish settlements for them to make it their capital, making them unhappy. Besides, Israel also wants to build the city of David in Jerusalem, making it a bigger issue.
The settlements attempts to solve the dispute by giving each part of the land and them sharing the Holy sites. It is like Palestine and Israel staying sharing a 2 story house at the Holy Site. (The Israelite Holy site is called Wailing Wall)
Palestine
The Palestinians are split into two parts: The gaza strip that is controlled by the Hamas and the Wast Bank by the regular political party, There are also factions within Palestine and Israel as to whether to accept the 2 state peace settlement.
Syria and Israel
As mention, Israel conquered the Golan Heights from Syria. Syria wants the land back in exchange for peace. But Israel will only agree if Syria stops supporting the Hezbollah (As they are afraid weapons are transported to Hezbollah once Golan Heights is given back), the group that is in Lebanon against Israel,
US in the Picture
Peace in Middle East is very important to limit terrorism. The US is trying to push the 2 state settlement to to prevent extremist and win the moderates over to peace and dampen terrorism. Israel is a stake in Middle East to deter terrorism and that is why Israel is such a huge ally to US and the 2 state peace settlement is so important to them.
Some other random stuff
I learn from my Global Policy Prof that China is concerned with the unrest in Egypt because a unstable situation in middle east will make the export of food and oil to China to be a problem.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Arllington Cemetery
There was a change in of guard parade and we had to stand and watch... There was a trumpet blowing and the commander command us to put our hand on our chest... reminds me of army... But was cool though, hearing commands in english rather than Malay..
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