The Origins and Ongoing Defense of the State of Israel

The Origins and Ongoing Defense of the State of Israel

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to explain the origins of the state of Israel, including its relations to Great Britain and the United States, the contributions of Golda Meier, and the state's ongoing defense from Palestine.

Introduce the learning objective and explain the importance of understanding the history and ongoing situation in Israel and Palestine.

What do you already know about the origins and relations of the state of Israel?

The Balfour Declaration

In 1917, Great Britain issued the Balfour Declaration, which expressed support for a Jewish state in Palestine.

Introduce the Balfour Declaration as an important moment in the history of Israel and Palestine. Ask students if they have heard of the Balfour Declaration before.

The Mandate Period

From 1920-1948, Palestine was under British control as a mandate of the League of Nations. During this time, Jewish immigration to Palestine increased.

Explain the Mandate Period and its significance for the Jewish population in Palestine. Discuss the impact of Jewish immigration on the Palestinian population.

The UN Partition Plan

In 1947, the United Nations voted to partition Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states. The Jews accepted the plan, but the Arabs rejected it.

Explain the UN Partition Plan and its significance for the conflict between Israel and Palestine. Ask students why they think the plan was rejected by the Arab states.

The Declaration of the State of Israel

On May 14, 1948, David Ben-Gurion declared the establishment of the State of Israel. The new state was immediately recognized by the United States and the Soviet Union, but not by the Arab states.

Introduce the declaration of the State of Israel as a significant moment in the history of the conflict. Discuss why the Arab states did not recognize the new state.

The Six-Day War

In 1967, Israel fought a successful war against Egypt, Jordan, and Syria, gaining control of the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and Golan Heights.

Explain the Six-Day War and its significance for the ongoing conflict. Discuss the impact of Israel's territorial gains on the Palestinian population.

Golda Meir

Golda Meir was the fourth Prime Minister of Israel, serving from 1969-1974. She played a key role in the Yom Kippur War and was known for her strong leadership.

Introduce Golda Meir as an important figure in the history of Israel. Discuss her contributions to the country and her leadership style.

The Oslo Accords

In 1993, Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization signed the Oslo Accords, which aimed to establish a framework for peace between the two sides. However, the accords ultimately failed to bring lasting peace to the region.

Explain the Oslo Accords and their significance for the ongoing conflict. Discuss why the accords failed to bring lasting peace.

The Gaza Withdrawal

In 2005, Israel withdrew its military and settlers from the Gaza Strip, ending its occupation of the territory. However, the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza continues to this day.

Explain the Gaza Withdrawal and its significance for the ongoing conflict. Discuss the current situation in Gaza and why the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues.

The Iron Dome

The Iron Dome is a missile defense system developed by Israel that is designed to intercept and destroy incoming rockets and missiles. It has been used to defend Israel from attacks by Hamas and other groups.

Introduce the Iron Dome as an important part of Israel's ongoing defense from Palestine. Discuss the development and effectiveness of the system.

The West Bank Barrier

The West Bank Barrier is a wall and fence system built by Israel to separate Israel from the West Bank. It has been criticized by Palestinians and human rights groups for its impact on Palestinian communities.

Explain the West Bank Barrier and its significance for the ongoing conflict. Discuss why the barrier has been criticized and its impact on Palestinian communities.

Palestinian Territories

The Palestinian Territories include the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. They are home to millions of Palestinians, many of whom live in refugee camps.

Introduce the Palestinian Territories as an important part of the ongoing conflict. Discuss the demographics and living conditions in the territories.

Settlements

Israeli settlements are Jewish communities built on land in the West Bank and East Jerusalem that is considered by many to be Palestinian territory. They have been a major point of contention in the conflict.

Explain Israeli settlements and their significance for the ongoing conflict. Discuss why settlements have been a major point of contention and their impact on the Palestinian population.

The Two-State Solution

The two-state solution is a proposed solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that would establish a Palestinian state alongside Israel. It has been supported by many countries and international organizations.

Explain the two-state solution and its significance for the ongoing conflict. Discuss why the solution has been proposed and its potential benefits and challenges.

The Future of the Conflict

The conflict between Israel and Palestine remains unresolved, with both sides continuing to pursue their goals. The future of the conflict is uncertain, but many hope for a peaceful resolution.

Discuss the future of the conflict and the potential for a peaceful resolution. Ask students what they think could be done to resolve the conflict.

Review

What have we learned about the origins and ongoing defense of the State of Israel?

Review the main points of the lesson and give students an opportunity to ask questions or share their thoughts on the topic.

Assessment

Write a paragraph explaining the origins and ongoing defense of the State of Israel, including its relations to Great Britain and the United States, the contributions of Golda Meier, and the state's ongoing defense from Palestine.

Assess students' understanding of the lesson by having them write a paragraph summarizing the main points of the lesson.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.