A Free Online Course for Teens
STUDENT EDITION December 2025
UNDERSTANDING
ISRAEL & PALESTINE
What is this course?
A self-paced educational program designed to help teenagers understand the Israel-Palestine conflict from multiple perspectives. The course presents historical facts and competing narratives without prescribing who is right or wrong.
Who is it for?
• Teenagers (ages 13-18) in religious education programs
• Youth groups in synagogues, churches, mosques, and interfaith organizations
• Families seeking balanced educational resources
• Anyone wanting to understand this complex conflict thoughtfully
What's included?
• 8 Core Modules covering history from Ottoman rule to today
• Balanced presentation of Israeli and Palestinian perspectives
• 15-20 minutes per module
What makes it special?
✓ Free - No cost to institutions or students
✓ Balanced - Presents Israeli and Palestinian perspectives
✓ Accessible - Self-paced, works on any device
✓ Appropriate - Age-appropriate tone for teens
✓ Interfaith - Suitable for all faith communities
Understanding does not mean agreeing.
Listening does not mean giving up your values.
A course from CommonGroundLearning.org
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Starting with the Basics
On social media and in the news, people argue about Israel and Palestine using the same words—but they often mean different things.
This course starts with what land people are talking about, why it matters, and how two groups can experience the same place so differently.
Module 1: The Land, the Names, and Why It's Contested
The Land in Simple Terms
The conflict centers on a small area on the eastern edge of the Mediterranean Sea.
Key Places:
This land matters because of history, religion, identity, and home—not oil.
Module 1: The Land, the Names, and Why It's Contested
Why the Land Has Different Names
People use different names because they carry different memories and beliefs about the past. Names aren't just labels—they signal how people understand belonging.
Israel
The modern state established in 1948
Palestine
A historical region and a national identity
Eretz Yisrael
Hebrew: "Land of Israel"—historical and religious term
Occupied Territories
Legal/political phrase for land captured in 1967
Module 1: The Land, the Names, and Why It's Contested
Why the Land Matters to Jews
Many Jews feel a deep connection to this land through history, prayer, and tradition. Jewish stories, texts, and holidays are linked to places in the land. The area that is now the State of Israel, the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and the Kingdom of Jordan has been inhabited for thousands of years by a variety of populations, including Jews, Arabs, Christians, and others. Jews have lived in the land now known as Israel for over 3,000 years, with a continuous presence dating back to ancient times.
Historical Context
After centuries of persecution—especially the Holocaust—many Jews saw a Jewish state as a matter of safety and survival.
Important to Know
Not all Jews think the same way about Israel or its government, but the historical connection is real for many.
Module 1: The Land, the Names, and Why It's Contested
Why the Land Matters to Palestinians
For Palestinians, this land is also home. Families lived there for generations, with towns, farms, and neighborhoods shaping everyday life.
Displacement Experience
Many Palestinians were displaced during the fighting around 1948, and many have lived without a state of their own.
How It's Described
Their experience is often described in terms of loss, displacement, and living under military control or restriction in different periods.
Module 1: The Land, the Names, and Why It's Contested
Two Real Experiences — One Land
🔑 Key Idea for This Course:
Jews may experience Israel as freedom, safety, and self-determination, while Palestinians may experience it as loss, injustice, or control.
These experiences can both be real at the same time.
This course helps you understand why these views exist—before we move into history and events.
Module 1: The Land, the Names, and Why It's Contested
Closing Thought
Understanding does not mean agreeing.
Listening does not mean giving up your values.
This course asks students to learn carefully, speak accurately, and treat people's stories with dignity.
Module 1: The Land, the Names, and Why It's Contested
Discussion Questions
For teachers/clergy to facilitate group discussion after students complete the module
1. Why might the same place have different names for different groups of people?
2. How can two groups both feel a deep connection to the same land?
3. What does it mean that "these experiences can both be real at the same time"?
4. Why is it important to understand different perspectives, even when we don't agree with all of them?
5. Have you encountered other situations where names or words mean different things to different people?
Module 1: The Land, the Names, and Why It's Contested
Before Israel and Palestine
In Module 1, we talked about the land and why both groups feel connected to it. Now we need to go back in time: before there was a modern Israel, before there was a conflict—what was there?
This module answers:
Module 2: From Empires to Promises
The Ottoman Empire (1517-1917)
For 400 years, this land was part of the Ottoman Empire—a Muslim empire based in Turkey that controlled much of the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Europe.
Who Lived Here?
Arabs (mostly Muslim, some Christian) were the majority population. There was also a smaller Jewish population that had been there for centuries—some since ancient times.
What Was It Called?
Not "Israel" or "Palestine" yet—just provinces of the Ottoman Empire. People identified more with their town, religion, or family than with a national identity.
Important: Modern nationalism (the idea of distinct nation-states) hadn't really taken hold yet. This changes in the 1800s-1900s.
Module 2: From Empires to Promises
The Rise of Zionism (Late 1800s)
Meanwhile, in Europe, Jews faced increasing persecution—violent attacks called pogroms and systematic discrimination.
Zionism emerged: the belief that Jews needed their own homeland to be safe.
Theodor Herzl
Wrote "The Jewish State" (1896), calling for a Jewish homeland. Considered the founder of modern political Zionism.
Immigration
Some Jews began moving to Ottoman Palestine, buying land and establishing communities.
Module 2: From Empires to Promises
Arab Nationalism (Same Period)
At the same time, Arab communities were developing ideas of self-governance and independence from foreign rule.
Arab nationalism: Arabs wanting their own independent states.
Growing Awareness
Arabs began seeing themselves not just as subjects of an empire, but as a people with shared language, culture, and history.
Tensions Begin
As Jewish immigration increased, Arabs became concerned about their communities and future self-determination.
Module 2: From Empires to Promises
World War I Changes Everything (1914-1918)
World War I was catastrophic for the Ottoman Empire. The empire sided with Germany and Austria-Hungary—and lost. This defeat completely reshaped the Middle East.
Ottoman Collapse
By 1918, the 400-year-old Ottoman Empire was defeated and breaking apart. European powers (especially Britain and France) moved in to control former Ottoman territories.
British Control
Britain took control of the area that included present-day Israel, Palestine, and Jordan. This became known as the "British Mandate of Palestine."
Here's where things get complicated:
During the war, Britain made conflicting promises to different groups about what would happen to this land after the war. These promises are at the heart of why the conflict began.
Module 2: From Empires to Promises
Britain's Three Promises
To win WWI, Britain made three different promises about the Middle East—and they contradicted each other.
1. To Arabs (1915-1916)
Promised Arab independence in exchange for fighting the Ottomans
2. To France (1916)
Secret agreement to divide Ottoman lands—contradicted Arab promise
3. To Jews (1917)
Balfour Declaration: supported "a national home for the Jewish people"
⚠️ These three promises could not all be kept—creating lasting resentment.
Module 2: From Empires to Promises
The British Mandate (1920-1948)
After WWI, the League of Nations gave Britain a "mandate" to govern Palestine—basically trusteeship until the people could govern themselves.
Jewish Perspective
Jewish immigration continued and increased, especially as persecution in Europe worsened. Jews built communities, institutions, and infrastructure.
Arab Perspective
Arabs felt betrayed by broken British promises and alarmed by growing Jewish immigration. They feared becoming a minority in their own land.
Tensions Escalate:
Violence broke out periodically between Jewish and Arab communities. Both groups organized politically and sometimes militarily. Britain struggled to manage these competing claims and growing unrest.
Module 2: From Empires to Promises
Understanding the Foundation
This history matters because:
Both groups feel they were promised something—and both groups feel they were betrayed.
These feelings shape how people understand the conflict today.
Next module: We'll look at the Balfour Declaration in detail and explore why this single document remains so controversial.
Module 2: From Empires to Promises
Discussion Questions
For teachers/clergy to facilitate group discussion after students complete the module
1. Why do you think Britain made conflicting promises to different groups during WWI?
2. How might both Zionism and Arab nationalism have been responses to similar historical forces?
3. What does it mean that both groups "feel they were promised something and both feel betrayed"?
4. How do decisions made by empires or powerful countries affect ordinary people long after those empires are gone?
5. Can you think of other historical situations where different groups were promised the same thing by a third party?
Module 2: From Empires to Promises
One Letter That Changed History
In 1917, during World War I, British Foreign Secretary Arthur Balfour wrote a letter that would shape the next century of Middle Eastern history.
📺 Watch:
Why does this document matter?
Module 3: The Balfour Declaration
The Actual Declaration
November 2, 1917 - Letter from Arthur Balfour to Lord Rothschild
"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."
Notice: Only 67 words, but every phrase is debated. What does "national home" mean? Who are the "non-Jewish communities"? (That's 90% of Palestine's population at the time!)
Module 3: The Balfour Declaration
How Jews Viewed the Declaration
For many Jews, this was a historic breakthrough:
Recognition
First time a major world power officially recognized Jewish national aspirations
Hope
Seen as international legitimacy for establishing a homeland after centuries of persecution
Momentum
Encouraged more Jewish immigration and institution-building in Palestine
Context matters: This came during WWI, when Jews were experiencing pogroms in Eastern Europe. The Holocaust was still 20+ years away, but persecution was already severe.
Module 3: The Balfour Declaration
How Arabs Viewed the Declaration
For Arabs in Palestine, this felt like a betrayal:
Broken Promise
Britain had promised Arab independence in exchange for fighting the Ottomans
Not Consulted
Arabs (90% of Palestine's population) weren't asked about giving land for a Jewish state
Dismissed
Called "non-Jewish communities" in their own homeland—not even named as "Palestinians" or "Arabs"
Think about it: How would you feel if another country promised part of your homeland to someone else—without asking you?
Module 3: The Balfour Declaration
The Power of Vague Language
Every word in the Balfour Declaration has been debated for over 100 years:
"National home" vs. "State"
Britain carefully avoided saying "Jewish state." What's the difference? A "home" implies less political power than a "state."
"In Palestine" vs. "Of Palestine"
"In" suggests part of Palestine, not all of it. But how much? No one specified.
"Non-Jewish communities"
This phrase erases Arab identity. It defines them by what they're NOT (not Jewish) rather than who they ARE (Arabs, Palestinians).
"Civil and religious rights" (but not political)
Arabs could worship and own property—but no mention of political rights or self-determination.
Module 3: The Balfour Declaration
Why Did Britain Do This?
Britain had strategic reasons for supporting a Jewish homeland:
WWI Strategy
Hoped to gain support from Jewish communities in Russia and America
Colonial Interest
Wanted influence in the Middle East (near Suez Canal, route to India)
Buffer State
A Jewish Palestine could serve British imperial interests in the region
Module 3: The Balfour Declaration
The Declaration's Lasting Impact
This 67-word letter set the stage for everything that came after:
1920s-1930s
Jewish immigration increased dramatically. Arab-Jewish tensions grew. Violence erupted.
1947-1948
UN Partition Plan and Israel's creation were built on this declaration's foundation.
Today
Still referenced in debates about legitimacy, rights, and who belongs in this land.
Key takeaway: Both groups invoke this declaration—Jews as proof of international recognition, Arabs as evidence of colonial betrayal. Same document, opposite meanings.
Module 3: The Balfour Declaration
Closing Thought
The Balfour Declaration shows how the same words can mean completely different things to different people.
For Jews: Recognition and hope after centuries of persecution.
For Arabs: Betrayal and the beginning of displacement.
Both interpretations are based on real experiences.
Understanding this helps us see why the conflict continues today.
Module 3: The Balfour Declaration
Discussion Questions
For teachers/clergy to facilitate group discussion after students complete the module
1. Why did Britain use vague language like "national home" instead of "state"?
2. How can the same document represent hope to one group and betrayal to another?
3. What does it mean that Arabs were called "non-Jewish communities" rather than being named?
4. Should Britain have consulted with Arabs in Palestine before issuing this declaration? Why or why not?
5. How do promises made by powerful countries in the past continue to affect people today?
Module 3: The Balfour Declaration
UN Partition Plan (1947)
Jewish State (55%)
Jews 33% of population. Jewish leaders accepted.
Arab State (45%)
Arabs 67% of population. Arab leaders rejected.
Module 4: 1948 - Independence & Nakba
May 14, 1948: Israel Declares Independence
David Ben-Gurion declared the State of Israel.
Why this mattered:
Module 4: 1948 - Independence & Nakba
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The War: Israeli Perspective
Five Arab armies invaded. Called War of Independence.
How Israelis Remember It:
Miraculous victory. David vs. Goliath.
The Outcome:
Israel survived. Gained territory. Armistice 1949.
Module 4: 1948 - Independence & Nakba
Al-Nakba: Palestinian Perspective
The Numbers:
Why did they leave? Palestinians say: forced out,
fled after massacres, expected to return.
Module 4: 1948 - Independence & Nakba
What's Still Debated
Historians still disagree about key questions:
Were Palestinians expelled or did they flee?
Was there an organized expulsion plan?
Who started the war?
When basic facts are contested, narratives diverge completely.
Module 4: 1948 - Independence & Nakba
Closing Thought
1948 is the year that created the modern conflict.
For one people, it marks the fulfillment of a dream after centuries of suffering.
For another, it marks the loss of their homeland and ongoing displacement.
Both groups experienced real trauma in 1948.
Both carry the weight of what happened.
Understanding this is essential to understanding everything that came after.
Module 4: 1948 - Two Names, Two Stories
Discussion Questions
For teachers/clergy to facilitate discussion
1. How can the same year represent independence and catastrophe?
2. Why do historians still disagree about what happened?
3. What does it mean that refugees have waited 75+ years?
Module 4: 1948 - Independence & Nakba
After 1948: Ongoing Conflict
The 1948 war didn't resolve the conflict—it created new tensions.
Israeli Concerns
Arab Concerns
Three major wars reshaped the conflict: 1956, 1967, and 1973.
Module 5: The Wars That Changed Everything
1956: The Suez Crisis
A brief overview of the first post-independence war:
What Happened
Egypt blocked Israeli ships from the Suez Canal. Israel, Britain, and France invaded Egypt. International pressure forced them to withdraw.
Why It Matters
Showed that Israel could defeat Arab armies militarily, but couldn't achieve peace through military victory alone. Tensions continued to build.
The next war—in 1967—would be far more significant.
That's when Israel captured the territories that are still contested today.
Module 5: The Wars That Changed Everything
1967: The Six-Day War
Before
Egypt, Syria, Jordan massed troops. Israel felt threatened.
The War
Israel preemptive strike. 6 days. Defeated three armies.
Captured
West Bank • Gaza • Golan • Sinai • East Jerusalem
Module 5: The Wars That Changed Everything
Why 1967 Still Matters Today
The territories captured in 1967 are still the core of the conflict:
The "Occupation" Begins
Israel now controlled land where over 1 million Palestinians lived (West Bank and Gaza). This created a new reality: Israel as an occupying power.
Israeli Perspective
Territories provide security buffer. Israel offered to trade "land for peace" but Arabs refused (Khartoum: "No peace, no recognition, no negotiation").
Palestinian Perspective
Now under Israeli military rule. No political rights. Checkpoints, permits, restrictions. Another layer of displacement and loss of freedom.
UN Resolution 242
UN called for "withdrawal from territories" and "right to live in peace." Both sides interpret it differently. Still unresolved.
Module 5: The Wars That Changed Everything
1973: The Yom Kippur War
Six years after 1967, Egypt and Syria launched a surprise attack:
The Attack (October 6, 1973)
Egypt and Syria attacked on Yom Kippur—the holiest day in Judaism—when Israel was largely shut down. Initial Arab success shocked Israel.
Arab Goals
Restore honor after 1967 defeat. Force negotiations. Egypt wanted Sinai back.
The Outcome
Israel recovered and pushed back. War ended in ceasefire. No major territorial changes.
What Changed
This war eventually led to peace! Egypt's President Sadat realized military victory was impossible. In 1979, Egypt and Israel signed a peace treaty—Israel returned the Sinai Peninsula.
Module 5: The Wars That Changed Everything
Closing Thought
These wars showed that military victories don't bring lasting peace.
Israel won every war militarily, but the conflicts continued.
The territories captured in 1967 remain contested today.
Key takeaway: Wars can change borders, but they can't resolve the fundamental questions of belonging, rights, and justice. That's why the Israeli-Palestinian conflict persists—it was never just about territory.
Module 5: The Wars That Changed Everything
Discussion Questions
For teachers/clergy to facilitate group discussion after students complete the module
1. Why did the 1967 war change everything, even though it only lasted six days?
2. Should Israel have returned the territories captured in 1967 immediately? Why or why not?
3. Egypt and Israel made peace in 1979. Why hasn't peace been achieved with Palestinians?
4. What does it mean that Israel has controlled the West Bank and Gaza since 1967?
5. Can military power alone solve conflicts? What else is needed?
Module 5: The Wars That Changed Everything
What Happened After 1967?
After the Six-Day War, Israel controlled the West Bank and Gaza—home to over 1 million Palestinians.
What Israel Did
Placed these territories under military rule. Built Jewish settlements. This created what's called an "occupation."
What This Meant
Palestinians lived under Israeli military control but weren't Israeli citizens. No right to vote. Checkpoints. Permits required.
This module covers one of the most controversial aspects: Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
Module 6: Settlements & Occupation
What Are Settlements?
Settlements are communities where Israeli Jews live in the West Bank (Palestinian territory captured in 1967).
The Numbers
Over 700,000 Israeli settlers now live in West Bank and East Jerusalem. 140+ settlements.
What They Look Like
Some are suburbs with pools and shopping centers. Others are hilltop outposts. Protected by Israeli military.
Most of the international community considers settlements illegal
under international law.
Module 6: Settlements & Occupation
Israeli Perspective on Settlements
Security
Provides strategic depth and security buffer
Historical Connection
Biblical heartland—Judea and Samaria. Jewish historical sites.
Negotiations
Can be exchanged in future peace deal ("land for peace")
Many Israeli settlers see themselves as pioneers, fulfilling religious and national destiny.
Module 6: Settlements & Occupation
Palestinian Perspective on Settlements
Illegal Occupation
Built on Palestinian land. Violates international law.
Land Theft
Takes Palestinian farmland, water resources, homes.
Makes Peace Impossible
Fragments West Bank. Prevents viable Palestinian state.
Palestinians see settlements as colonial project designed to claim their land permanently.
Module 6: Settlements & Occupation
Life Under Occupation
What daily life looks like for Palestinians in the West Bank:
Checkpoints & Permits
Military checkpoints to travel. Permits needed for work, medical care, family visits.
Two Legal Systems
Israeli settlers live under Israeli civil law. Palestinians under military law.
Separation Barrier
Wall/fence built by Israel. Israelis say: security. Palestinians say: land grab.
Module 6: Settlements & Occupation
Closing Thought
Settlements are one of the biggest obstacles to peace.
They make a two-state solution harder every year.
Both sides see the land as rightfully theirs.
Understanding settlements helps explain why this conflict feels stuck—it's not just about the past anymore, but about what's happening on the ground right now.
Module 6: Settlements & Occupation
Discussion Questions
For teachers/clergy to facilitate group discussion
1. Why are settlements so controversial?
2. Should Israel remove settlements to make peace possible?
3. What does it mean to live under occupation?
4. Can both security concerns and Palestinian rights be respected?
5. How do settlements make peace negotiations harder?
Module 6: Settlements & Occupation
The 1990s: A Moment of Hope
After decades of conflict, Israelis and Palestinians sat down to negotiate peace.
Oslo Accords (1993)
Secret negotiations in Norway. Rabin & Arafat shook hands at White House. World celebrated.
The Plan
Create Palestinian Authority. Gradual Israeli withdrawal. Final status talks on hard issues. Two states.
Module 7: The Oslo Peace Process
Why Oslo Failed: The Issues Left Unresolved
Settlements Continued
Israel kept building settlements during negotiations. Palestinians saw this as bad faith.
Violence Continued
Hamas opposed peace process. Suicide bombings. Israeli PM Rabin assassinated by Jewish extremist (1995).
Core Issues Too Hard
Jerusalem, refugees, borders, security—no agreement on the hardest questions.
Module 7: The Oslo Peace Process
Camp David 2000: The Final Attempt
President Clinton brought Israeli PM Barak & Palestinian leader Arafat together one last time.
What Was Offered
Israel offered 90%+ of West Bank. Shared Jerusalem. Some refugees return.
Why It Failed
Palestinians said offer wasn't enough. Israelis said Palestinians rejected peace. Both sides blamed each other.
Talks collapsed. Second Intifada (Palestinian uprising) began weeks later (2000-2005).
Module 7: The Oslo Peace Process
Closing Thought
Oslo showed that peace is possible—both sides negotiated seriously.
But it also showed how hard peace is. Extremists on both sides don't want compromise. Trust is broken easily and rebuilt slowly.
Since Oslo's collapse, hope for two states has faded. The conflict continues.
Module 7: The Oslo Peace Process
Discussion Questions
For teachers/clergy to facilitate group discussion
1. Why was Oslo seen as such a breakthrough in 1993?
2. Why did the peace process collapse?
3. Can peace be achieved if extremists on both sides reject it?
4. What would a fair compromise look like?
5. Is a two-state solution still possible today?
Module 7: The Oslo Peace Process
From Oslo's Failure to Today
After Oslo collapsed, the conflict evolved in new ways:
Second Intifada (2000-2005)
Palestinian uprising. Suicide bombings. Israeli military responses. Thousands killed on both sides.
Hamas Takes Gaza (2007)
Hamas won elections, took control of Gaza. Rejects Israel's right to exist. Israel blockaded Gaza.
Multiple Gaza Wars
2008-09, 2012, 2014, 2021, 2023-24. Rocket attacks. Israeli airstrikes. Civilian casualties.
Module 8: The Current Situation & Gaza
Gaza: A Unique Situation
What Gaza Is
Small coastal territory. 2.3 million Palestinians. One of most densely populated places on Earth.
The Blockade
Israel controls borders, airspace, sea access (Egypt controls one border). Limited goods in/out.
Living Conditions
High unemployment. Limited electricity/water. UN calls it "unlivable." Described as "open-air prison."
Module 8: The Current Situation & Gaza
Two Perspectives on Gaza
Israeli View
Security: Hamas fires rockets at civilians. Blockade prevents weapons smuggling.
Position: Left Gaza in 2005. Hamas chose violence over peace. Israel has right to defend itself.
Palestinian View
Collective Punishment: 2.3M people trapped. Children can't leave. Economy destroyed.
Position: Blockade is inhumane. Resistance against occupation. International law violated.
Both civilians suffer. Gaza wars kill thousands. No clear solution.
Module 8: The Current Situation & Gaza
Where Things Stand Today
No peace talks in years. Settlements expanding. Gaza blockaded. Two-state solution fading.
Israeli Politics
Right-wing governments skeptical of Palestinian state. Focus on security, not negotiations.
Palestinian Politics
Divided between PA (West Bank) and Hamas (Gaza). Both seen as corrupt/ineffective.
International Community
Still supports two states officially. Little progress. US traditionally pro-Israel.
Module 8: The Current Situation & Gaza
Closing Thought
This conflict has lasted over 75 years.
Both peoples have legitimate claims, deep histories, and real trauma. Neither is going anywhere. That's why understanding—not just picking sides—matters.
You've learned the history. Now you can form your own informed opinions—with compassion for all people affected.
Module 8: The Current Situation & Gaza
Discussion Questions
For teachers/clergy to facilitate group discussion
1. What would a just solution look like for both peoples?
2. Can you hold compassion for both sides even when they're in conflict?
3. What role can young people play in building understanding?
4. How has this course changed your understanding of the conflict?
5. What's your biggest takeaway from these 8 modules?
Module 8: The Current Situation & Gaza
Glossary of Terms (A-D)
1948 WAR: Israel's "War of Independence" / Palestinian "Nakba" (catastrophe). War following Israel's 1948 declaration of independence.
ALIYAH: Hebrew for "to ascend." Jewish immigration to Israel.
ANTISEMITISM: Prejudice or hatred against Jewish people. Different from criticism of Israeli policies.
APARTHEID: South Africa's racial segregation system (1948-1994). Term contested when applied to Israel/Palestine.
ARAB: Person from Arabic-speaking world (North Africa to Middle East). Palestinians are Arabs.
ARMISTICE LINES (1949): Also "Green Line." Israel's borders after 1948 war until 1967.
BALFOUR DECLARATION: 1917 British letter supporting "a national home for the Jewish people" in Palestine.
BDS: Palestinian-led Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement against Israel.
BRITISH MANDATE: 1920-1948 British governance of Palestine.
CHECKPOINTS: Security barriers where Israeli forces check Palestinians. Israelis cite security; Palestinians cite restriction of freedom.
DIASPORA: Dispersion of Jews outside Israel. Also used for Palestinians living outside Palestine/Israel.
Glossary of Terms (E-I)
EAST JERUSALEM: Eastern Jerusalem including Old City. Captured by Israel 1967. Palestinians claim as capital of future state.
FATAH: Largest PLO faction, founded by Yasser Arafat. Controls Palestinian Authority in West Bank.
GAZA STRIP: 25-mile coastal strip, 2 million Palestinians. Controlled by Hamas since 2007, under Israeli-Egyptian blockade.
GENOCIDE: Acts intended to destroy a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group (UN 1948). Application to Israel highly contested.
GREEN LINE: See Armistice Lines. Israel's pre-1967 borders (drawn in green ink).
HAMAS: Islamist Palestinian organization governing Gaza. Designated terrorist organization by Israel, US, EU. Refuses to recognize Israel.
HASBARA: Hebrew for "explanation." Israeli PR efforts. Critics call it propaganda.
HOLOCAUST: Nazi genocide of six million Jews (1933-1945). Influenced support for Jewish state.
INTIFADA: Arabic for "uprising." First (1987-1993): largely nonviolent. Second (2000-2005): included suicide bombings.
ISRAELI ARABS: Arab citizens of Israel (20% of population). Have voting rights but face some discrimination.
Glossary of Terms (J-P)
JERUSALEM: Holy to Judaism, Christianity, Islam. Israel claims all as capital; Palestinians claim East Jerusalem as capital.
KNESSET: Israel's 120-member parliament. Arab citizens can serve.
NAKBA: Arabic for "catastrophe." Palestinian term for 1948 displacement of ~700,000 Palestinians.
OCCUPATION: Israel's military control of West Bank. International law considers these "occupied territories"; Israel calls them "disputed."
OSLO ACCORDS: 1993-1995 peace agreements between Israel and PLO. Created Palestinian Authority. Never fully implemented.
OTTOMAN EMPIRE: Turkish empire ruling Palestine 1517-1917. Fell after WWI.
PALESTINE/PALESTINIAN: Geographic region between Mediterranean and Jordan River. Palestinians are Arabs indigenous to this land.
PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY (PA): Governing body created 1994 by Oslo Accords. Controls parts of West Bank.
PLO: Palestinian Liberation Organization (founded 1964). Fatah is largest faction. Recognized Israel's right to exist in 1993.
Glossary of Terms (R-Z)
REFUGEES (PALESTINIAN): Palestinians who fled/were expelled 1948, plus descendants. 5-7 million total.
RIGHT OF RETURN: Claimed right of Palestinian refugees to return to homes in Israel. Major point of contention.
SETTLEMENTS: Israeli communities in West Bank/East Jerusalem built after 1967. Considered illegal internationally; Israel disputes this. Over 700,000 settlers.
SIX-DAY WAR (1967): Israel vs. Egypt, Jordan, Syria. Israel captured West Bank, East Jerusalem, Gaza, Golan Heights, Sinai.
SYKES-PICOT AGREEMENT: Secret 1916 British-French agreement to divide Ottoman Middle East.
TWO-STATE SOLUTION: Proposal for Israeli and Palestinian states living side-by-side.
UN PARTITION PLAN (1947): UN Resolution 181 recommending division of Palestine into Jewish and Arab states. Jewish leaders accepted; Arab leaders rejected.
WEST BANK: Territory between Israel and Jordan, captured 1967. ~3 million Palestinians, 400,000+ Israeli settlers.
YOM KIPPUR WAR (1973): Egypt and Syria attacked Israel on Yom Kippur. Led to Egypt-Israel peace treaty (1979).
ZIONISM: Movement for Jewish self-determination and homeland in historic Israel. Founded late 1800s, led to Israel's creation 1948.