In its current form, the Arab-Israeli conflict is a modern phenomenon, which dates back to the end of the 19th century. The conflict became a major international issue after the Ottoman Empire in 1917 lost power in the Middle East, and in various forms it continues to date. The Arab-Israeli conflict has resulted in at least five major wars and a large number of "minor conflicts". It has also been the source of two major Palestinian intifadas (uprisings). The wars and intifadas are:
In a few cases, (e.g. in Morocco) local Arab governments strongly encouraged Jews to stay, and some Jewish leaders (e.g. in Haifa) encouraged Arabs to stay. Jewish refugees were absorbed by Israel; Palestinians were neglected by most Arab nations which by some were blamed for the poverty and hatred prevailing in some Palestinian camps. , but only two states eventually signed a peace agreement with Israel: Egypt ( 1978) and Jordan ( 1994).
Ariel Sharon, who led the massively superior Israeli forces, met with quick success in southern Lebanon. Then, acting in violation of the mandate given to him by the political echelon in Jerusalem, he continued the march up the coast, repulsing Syrian forces and taking possession of Beirut, where the PLO had their headquarters. Under an agreement brokered by the United States, the Palestinian fighters were given safe conduct out of Lebanon and moved to Tunis, and Israeli forces withdrew to positions in southern Lebanon.
While Beirut was under Israeli administrative control, Lebanese Maronites (one of the chief parties in the Lebanese civil war, and an ideological ally of Israel) invaded the Sabra and Shatila refugee camp and murdered over 20.000 Palestinian refugees. An investigation by Israel's Kahane Commission later found Ariel Sharon personally responsible and recommended that he be excluded from ever holding political office.
Perhaps surprisingly, the Israeli invasion initially encountered broad support among the Lebanese living along the border, many of whom felt victimised by the Palestine incursion and their own government's inability to establish order. As time passed, however, and Israel's intent to maintain a permanent buffer zone inside Lebanon became clear, a native resistance movement, the Hizballah, made up of Lebanese Shias, formed to counter the Israeli Defence Force and their Lebanese proxy militia, the Southern Lebanese Army, led by General Aoun.
The success of the Hizballah resistance contributed to a changing perceptions within the Israeli public about the costs and benefits of maintaining a presence in Lebanon. In 2000 Israel withdrew their forces, although controversy remains concerning one small tract of land (Shaaba farms), whose provenence is variously interpreted as being Lebanese or Syrian.
Despite the withdrawal, low level fighting between Hizbullah and Israel has continued. Syria which until Spring 2005 exerted control over southern Lebanon, used Hizbullah to apply pressure on Israel.
In its current form, the Arab-Israeli conflict is a modern phenomenon, which dates back to the end of the 19th century. The conflict became a major international issue after the Ottoman Empire in 1917 lost power in the Middle East, and in various forms it continues to date. The Arab-Israeli conflict has resulted in at least five major wars and a large number of "minor conflicts". It has also been the source of two major Palestinian intifadas (uprisings). The wars and intifadas are:
In a few cases, (e.g. in Morocco) local Arab governments strongly encouraged Jews to stay, and some Jewish leaders (e.g. in Haifa) encouraged Arabs to stay. Jewish refugees were absorbed by Israel; Palestinians were neglected by most Arab nations which by some were blamed for the poverty and hatred prevailing in some Palestinian camps. , but only two states eventually signed a peace agreement with Israel: Egypt ( 1978) and Jordan ( 1994).
Ariel Sharon, who led the massively superior Israeli forces, met with quick success in southern Lebanon. Then, acting in violation of the mandate given to him by the political echelon in Jerusalem, he continued the march up the coast, repulsing Syrian forces and taking possession of Beirut, where the PLO had their headquarters. Under an agreement brokered by the United States, the Palestinian fighters were given safe conduct out of Lebanon and moved to Tunis, and Israeli forces withdrew to positions in southern Lebanon.
While Beirut was under Israeli administrative control, Lebanese Maronites (one of the chief parties in the Lebanese civil war, and an ideological ally of Israel) invaded the Sabra and Shatila refugee camp and murdered over 20.000 Palestinian refugees. An investigation by Israel's Kahane Commission later found Ariel Sharon personally responsible and recommended that he be excluded from ever holding political office.
Perhaps surprisingly, the Israeli invasion initially encountered broad support among the Lebanese living along the border, many of whom felt victimised by the Palestine incursion and their own government's inability to establish order. As time passed, however, and Israel's intent to maintain a permanent buffer zone inside Lebanon became clear, a native resistance movement, the Hizballah, made up of Lebanese Shias, formed to counter the Israeli Defence Force and their Lebanese proxy militia, the Southern Lebanese Army, led by General Aoun.
The success of the Hizballah resistance contributed to a changing perceptions within the Israeli public about the costs and benefits of maintaining a presence in Lebanon. In 2000 Israel withdrew their forces, although controversy remains concerning one small tract of land (Shaaba farms), whose provenence is variously interpreted as being Lebanese or Syrian.
Despite the withdrawal, low level fighting between Hizbullah and Israel has continued. Syria which until Spring 2005 exerted control over southern Lebanon, used Hizbullah to apply pressure on Israel.