Balfour Declaration & Middle East Peace Process Lecture Notes PDF

Internationa l Negotiations Instructor: AMBASSADOR YOUSSEF ZADA. Lecture 6&7 The Balfour Declaration The Balfour Declaration was a statement issued by the British government during World War I on November 2, 1917.  It expressed support for the establishment of a "national home...

Internationa l Negotiations Instructor: AMBASSADOR YOUSSEF ZADA. Lecture 6&7 The Balfour Declaration The Balfour Declaration was a statement issued by the British government during World War I on November 2, 1917.  It expressed support for the establishment of a "national home for the Jewish people" in Palestine, which was then part of the Ottoman Empire and would come under British administration after the war.  Named after Arthur James Balfour, the British Foreign Secretary at the time, the declaration was conveyed in a letter addressed to Lord Walter Rothschild, a prominent British Jew, to be shared with the Zionist Federation of Great  Here’s the key text of the declaration:"His Majesty's Government view with favour the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people, and will use  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  Background and MotivationsThe declaration had roots in several factors, including:  1. Zionist Influence and Diplomacy: Zionist leaders, particularly Chaim Weizmann, had been lobbying British leaders to support the idea of a Jewish homeland, arguing that this could benefit British geopolitical interests.  2. British Strategic Interests: Britain saw the potential for a Jewish homeland to act as a buffer zone in the Middle East.  3. Religious and Cultural Context: Some British leaders, influenced by Christian Zionism and a fascination with Biblical prophecy, were sympathetic to the idea of  They hoped that support for Zionism would garner the support of Jewish communities worldwide, including in the United States and Russia, both  The Balfour Declaration had significant and lasting repercussions:  1. Increased Jewish Immigration: Following the declaration, Jewish immigration to Palestine began to increase, leading to economic and social shifts in the region. This migration intensified during  since many Arabs had expected independence after the fall of the Ottoman Empire. The declaration would later fuel the Arab-Israeli conflict.  3. League of Nations Mandate: In 1922, the League of Nations formally incorporated the Balfour Declaration into the British Mandate for Palestine,  Cementing British responsibility to support the development of a Jewish national home.  Long-Term Significance The Balfour Declaration is often seen as a key document in the modern history of the Middle East. It is considered a foundational moment in the creation of the State of Israel and has been widely debated  Its legacy remains complex, as it simultaneously fostered Jewish aspirations for a homeland while laying groundwork for the decades- long Israeli-  The Middle East Peace Process 1947: UN Partition Plan proposed the division of British Mandate Palestine into Jewish and Arab states. Rejected by Arab nations; accepted by the Zionist leadership. The Middle East Peace Process 1948: Arab-Israeli War (War of Independence/Nakba) resulted in the creation of the State of Israel. 750,000 Palestinians were displaced  The Middle East Peace Process 1949: Armistice Agreements signed between Israel and Egypt, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon, establishing ceasefire lines (but no formal peace). The Middle East Peace Process 1967: ‫ النكسة‬Six-Day War ended with Israel occupying the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Sinai Peninsula, and Golan Heights.  UN Resolution 242 called for Israeli withdrawal from occupied territories and the recognition of all states' sovereignty. ‫…‪Cont‬‬ ‫يوم العبور و تحطيم خط بارليف و‬ ‫العبور للجهه الشرقيه لقناه السويس‬ ‫‪ 1973:Yom Kipur War‬‬ ‫‪ 6th of October War‬‬  The Middle East Peace Process 1977: In 19 November, Sadat addresses the Knesset.  1978: Camp David Accords brokered by the U.S. led to the Egyptian -Israeli Peace Treaty, signed in March 1979, the first peace agreement between Israel and an Arab country.  1991: Madrid Conference, initiated the multilateral talks between Israel, Palestine, and other Arab states.  The Middle East Peace Process 1993: Oslo Accords ONE, signed between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), establishing mutual recognition and the Palestinian Authority (PA).  1994: Israel-Jordan Peace Treaty signed, normalizing relations between the two countries.  1995: Oslo Accords TWO established Palestinian self- rule over parts of the West- Bank and Gaza, dividing areas into zones of varying Israeli and Palestinian control  The Middle East Peace Process 2000: Camp David Summit hosted by U.S. President Bill Clinton attempted to resolve final status issues (Jerusalem,refugees, borders) but ended without agreement.  2000 - 2005: Second Intifada (1st was in 1987) erupted due to frustration over the peace process, leading to widespread violence  The Middle East Peace Process 2002: Arab Peace Initiative proposed by Saudi Arabia during the LAS Arab Summit, offering full normalization of relations with Israel in exchange for withdrawal from  2003: Roadmap for Peace by the U.S.,EU, UN, and Russia (the Quartet) called for a two- state solution. Progress was limited by violence and mutual distrust The Middle East Peace Process 2005: Israeli withdrawal from Gaza ended direct control but maintained a blockade.  2008: Peace talks between Israeli PME hud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas progressed, but no agreement was reached before Olmert left office. The Middle East Peace Process 2010-2011: Arab Spring uprisings destabilized the region, reducing Arab states' focus on Palestine.  2012: UN General Assembly granted Palestine non- member observer state status.  2014: U.S.-led peace talks under Secretary of State John Kerry collapsed without  The Middle East Peace Process 2020: The Abraham Accords normalized relations between Israel and the UAE,Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco, shifting the focus toward bilateral ties instead of resolving the Palestinian issue.  2021: Conflict erupted between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, leading to an 11-day war.  2022: New tensions emerged in the West-Bank and East Jerusalem, alongside political shifts in Israel. The Middle East Peace Process 2023: Peace efforts continued under U.S. mediation, with talk of further normalization with Saudi Arabia. However, unresolved Palestinian  2024: Escalations in violence and geopolitical tensions, including disputes over settlements and military operations, complicate diplomatic WHAT ARE THE MAJOR OBSTACLES??? 1- Settlements: Expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem undermines trust in negotiations. 2- Jerusalem: The status of Jerusalem remains contentious, with both sides claiming it as their capital. 3-Right of Return: Palestinian refugees demand the right to return to their homes,which Israel rejects 4- Security Concerns: Israel cites security threats, especially from Hamas and Hezbollah, as reasons for strict measures in Gaza and the West Bank. 5- Leadership Changes: Frequent elections in Israel and divisions within Palestinian leadership have hindered consistent diplomatic efforts.  6- Normalization of relations with Egypt & Jordan, &later Bahrain, UAE, Morocco &Sudan are still stagnant &have not witnessed any demonstration of cooperation.