I. The World's Longest, Most Bitter Conflict-Longest conflict in modern world history.-This conflict has produced more demonstrations, riots, boycotts, than any regional conflict in history.-UN has put more attention in this than any other issue. US also tried to help, but failed. Clinton has major progress, people assumed the conflict had ended but it arose again. Recent Obama failure has elicited new issues in the conflict.-Palestine’s main goal: have independent Palestinian state. 2/3rds of Palestinians call for the depletion of all Israelis.-We may be entering a new, prolonged, more violent phase of this conflict, will probably enter 2nd 100 years.II. A Palestinian NarrativeHow did it arise? Who is responsible?-Emphasizes the alien nature and aggressiveness of the Zionist. 1880, Jews were only 6% in Palestine. From then on, Jew poured into P disregarding the local people’s wishes. 1939: Jews reached 30% of population. In this view, Jewish immigration was the invasion of Palestine.Zionist believed that Palestine was theirs by right, they weren’t content to seizing political control.Arabs began to reject the Zionist project, they succeeded in limiting Jewish immigration.Large scale British immigration, a national home for Jewish people. Arabs pleaded with the British to halt Jewish immigration. Because Palestine was a British colony, there was no democratic process in which Palestinian Arabs could have their wishes met.1936-1939: Arab Revolt. Zionism was a typical, European, colonial project – of conquest, unsettlement, and dispossession. Arabs were displaced much like indigenous people in America. Opposed by most local people, Zionism succeeded because Zionist and the British had no interest in popular sovereignty.1947: UN voted to create to independent states, one Jewish and one Palestine state. Western countries sought to avoid large scale Jewish immigration because it was unpopular, so they sent Holocaust refugees to Palestine. However, the UN never asked Palestinians if they wanted their land divided. (Jews 1/3 of Palestine at the time----Arabs however got 45% of the land).When the fighting ended in 1949, Jews has 78% of Palestine, instead of the original 55%. Wanted to ethnically cleanse the Arab population of the Jewish states, at least 700,000.Origin of Palestinian refugee issue.These policies of expansion and racial purification are still happening. 1967, Israel attacked and took the remaining 22% of Palestine’s land.Israel continues to colonize the west bank even though majority of the world’s countries opposes settlement.West bank: Arabs here still experience violence.In Israel proper—maintains racial policy. Palestinian refugees can’t return to their homes. Though, any Jew can return to Israel. Although Arabs in Israel proper are citizens, they’re second hand (worst living conditions, lower pay).Zionism got a foothold thanks to force/violence and British force.III. An Israeli Narrative-Deny that Israel represent alien intrusion. Zionist regarded this place as their homeland for 1000s of years. The Legal Nations obliged Britain to help the Jews find a home in Palestine.Given Europe’s anti-Semitism, the world felt responsible to end this conflict.Jews wanted a land where they could be free…but not western country wanted this. After holocaust, there was no place Jews could go other than Palestine.Unlike British colonist who came to NA, the Jews had ancient ties in Palestine. The Jews never seized land, they bought it all. Zionism derived from Jewish society in eastern Europe, had no loyalty to the British, it was a mutual convenience relationship.Zionism was a function of Jewish national liberation.Outcomes had less to do with Jewish design but poor Palestinian leadership: they were the authors of their own states---Palestinians rejected compromise.1947: UN voted to divide Palestine. Jewish 55%, partition is the only fair solution. Arabs rejected this and they started the war that lasted until 1949. If they didn’t start the fight, they may would have an independent state.1967: Arabs again precipitated a war. At conclusion, Israel offered the newly taken territory in exchange for peach.3 No: no peach, negotiation, and recognition of Israel.2000: Best chance for peace: Palestinian also rejected this.2008: Zionist offered 100% of captured territory, Arabs, again, responded with violence.Time and again: Jews offered territorial compromise, but Palestinians responded with violence. However, Zionist believe that Arab displacement of Jews was much more violent and strict that the latter.Israeli society is not racist. Israel is actually one of the most racially diverse places. Jews don’t share race, they share religion. In Israel all religion have complete freedom.What Arabs hate Israel is the insult to Arab self-respect. It’s the existence of a Jewish state in a Muslim society. But Israel would accept an Arab state.IV. A Preliminary Synthesis-Both narratives are factually accurate. But both are also wrong because the select evidence that supports their claim and exclude evidence that doesn’t; cherry-picks. Must synthesis discounted evidence, to create a coherent narrative.General Themes:Zionism built on ancient attachments on the land of Israel But was a novel response to late-19th century European conditions. In the eyes of Palestinians, the entry of Jew constituted a novel, deeply resented invasion. In this sense, had connected to European colonialism in other areas. Without Europeans, Zionism would have never succeeded.Deep roots of Zionism, lay not in British society, but in themselves. They regarded Britain with suspension, and eventually turned to violence against British. Zionist self-image, as a movement of national independence is justified.Zionism succeeded because Jews had access to Europeans economic and political techniques that put them 2-3 generations ahead of their Arab rivals. This head-start made it difficult for Palestinians to match Arab strength.From the 1920s until now, a nightmare of national annihilation has haunted both communities. If Holocaust survivors didn’t find another place, the Jewish culture may not be here today. But Arabs feel that because of this conflict, they too are fearful of being completely removed.The terms that Arabs were offered in 1939 were much better than offers offered in 1947 by the UN. Long-term deterioration of compromise fuels Palestine’s disposition.Mutual disagreement is so deep that