LAST ONE!

Tuesday: 20^th Century Jerusalem           

Today we started talking about Modern Jerusalem. During this time period Zionism, the movement to re-establish a Jewish State, began to rise in Jerusalem. Saladin had allowed the Jews to resettle in Jerusalem, Nachmanides flees Spain and tries to make aliyah, and Maimonides spread the belief that Jerusalem is “the center on the Jewish people.” It became increasing popular to believe that Jerusalem was the “gate to heaven” and Jews needed to return to Jerusalem and lay claim. More Jews begin to come towards Jerusalem also because of the growing Anti-Semitism and the rise of Hitler. The British start to conquer and General Allenby takes Palestine in 1917. (He chose to walk through the gates into the city as opposed to ride because that is something that only Jesus did). There was the Sykes-Picot Agreement with split up the Near East amongst the French and British. But with the Balfour Declaration in 1917 and the British Mandate in 1918 we see that the British were in support of the Jews in Jerusalem. All the British in Jerusalem caused unrest and in 1948 the War of Independence broke out. The British leave Jerusalem leaving it to Israel and Jordan, leading to the rise of Jordanian Jerusalem. 

Jordanians take control of the west bank. King Abdullah (who was given Jordan during in Churchill’s “White Papers”) is assassinated in front of the Al-Aqsa Mosque by an Arab radical. King Hussein declares Jerusalem as “the second capital of the state of Jordan” and Jordanians develop tourism.

Thursday: 21^st Century Jerusalem

Today was the last lecture. WE started off by talking about the Six Day War (1967). The soviets inform Syria of impending Israeli attack so Egypt amasses troops in Sinai. Jordan signs military agreement with Egypt. Israeli forces launch pre-emptive strike and reduce Egyptian air force within hours. Israeli forces enter the old city. Moshe Dayan, and Israeli general, gives control of Haram to Muslins and the Jews are forbidden to pray on the Haram. The UN rejects the annexation of Jerusalem. Everyone wants the Golan Heights.

Next we talked about the Intifadas or Uprisings. The First Intifada began in 1988. This led to the Oslo Accords. The Oslo Accords was the first face-to-face agreement between Israel and the PLO (Palestinian Liberation Organization). It called for the creation of PNA and the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza Strip and West Bank. Both sides wrote Letters of Mutual Recognition and Israel acknowledged PLO as legitimate representative of Palestine People.

In 2000 Israel withdrew from Southern Lebanon. The Second Intifada occurs when Ariel Sharon ascends the Temple Mount. In 2002 Israel begins the construction of the West Bank Barrier. In 2004, the PNA chairman Yasser Arafat dies. 2005, the Israelis are forcibly removed from Gaza. 2006, Hamas defeat Fatah in Palestinian Elections and the Israeli-Hizbullah War is fought. 2007, the “Palestinian Civil War” and “Operation Cast Lead” occur. And in 2010 Israel announces new housing settlements in east Jerusalem.

In the end, Professor talked about the importance of peaceful protest. And in terms of Jerusalem, whether peace will ever occur depends on peaceful meeting and agreement. Only time with tell…