This paper will attempt to provide an objective view on the situation and offer a plan for lasting peace in the region.

An individual might begin this discussion in early times (3000 B.C.). However finding solid, factual data from this period is challenging, and often the facts vary depending on from which perspective the data is written. Obviously, this land has been contested since the beginning of time.

Following is a rough timeline of events that shaped the current Middle East situation. Statements in a standard font are generally facts, which both sides agree upon. Statements in bold type are comments that are generally neutral. Statements in red type are the Palestinian, Arab viewpoints. Statements in blue type are the Jewish, Israeli viewpoints.

1. Jews and Arabs pray to a different God.

Both sides claim that the West Bank is the center of their homeland.

2. In World War I, Britain gained control of the land of Palestine with Arab aid. After Britain gained cont

19. In 1967, United Nations Resolution 242 stated that "inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by force" and calls for Israel's withdraw from lands seized in war. Palestinians rejected UN 242 because it does not acknowledge their right to a national self-determination or return to their homeland. It calls for only a settlement of the Palestinian refugee problem. Israel rejected UN 242 and continues to object to UN 242. Since Israel won the land during the 6-Day War, why should they have to return it? If one agrees that Israel should withdraw from the "occupied territory", then one might ask if the United States should return their land back to England and France. While this "slippery slope" scenario is a controversial viewpoint, is it that "far-fetched"? I can't remember in the history of a battle over land that the victor wasn't entitled to the land, which they won. In the Persian Gulf War, wasn't Kuwait liberated by defeating Iraq? The whole idea of UN 242 if ridiculous if you think about it these tactical, sensible terms. Furthermore, Israel has justified it's violation of UN 242 on the grounds that the West Bank and Gaza Strip are not technically "occupied" because they were never part of the sovereign territory of any other state. Therefore, Israel is the legal administrator of the territory whose status is yet to be determined. The Palestinian's rejection of UN 242 was understandable at the time the resolution was passed. However, Palestinian demands in current peace talks dictate that they now want to abide by UN 242. Sorry guys, too bad, too sad.

23. In 1993 Israel and the PLO signed the Oslo Agreement. This agreement stated that Israel would withdraw from the Gaza Strip and Jericho and further unspecified areas during a 5-year interim period. Additionally, this provided a joint recognition and for limited self-rule in the Gaza Strip and Jericho. Oslo set up a negotiating process without specifying an outcome. This agreement shocked the world. While the final outcome was never reached, it was refreshing to see a genuine effort by both sides to negotiate a peace settlement.

Britain saw that they were losing control of the situation and attempted to curtail the illegal immigration levels. This obviously angered the Jews, for the Brits attempted to impede their return to their homeland. The Arabs were upset that stronger measures weren't taken at an earlier time.

The Temple Mount is a historically important location to Jews. Israelis believe that Sharon had every right to visit this religious site. But Israeli opposition views this act as an act of war, thus beginning the 2nd Intifada.

9. In 1947, Britain declared their mandate unworkable and turned the problem over to the United Nations. The UN Special Committee on Palestine devised a plan to partition the land of Palestine into a Jewish and Arab state. The Jews accepted the plan, but the Arabs rejected it because it allotted too much territory to the Jews. This mandate is known as UN resolution 181. Note that the West Bank area was to be administered by an international force. UN 181 was a good, but flawed idea. Arab objection to the plan was understandable. Why should the Arabs be forced to give up more land? As for the Jews, the horrors of the Holocaust produced worldwide sympathy for them. One cannot underestimate the guilt that the Allies had about the Holocaust.

12. Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt and (note for current importance) Iraq attacked Israel in 1948. Israel defeated the Arab armies. For the Arabs, Israel's proclamation of statehood was their worst nightmare coming true. Not only did they not want Jews in their backyard, they felt like the Jews didn't belong there under any condition. For the Jews, the proclamation of statehood was a dream that had come true. Finally they again had gain had a piece of their homeland back. Also since they were the victims of the Holocaust, Israel was a nation of determ

Some common words found in the essay are:
Gaza Strip, West Bank, White Paper, Arabs Israel's, Iraq Mideast, Nations Resolution, Israel Arab, Bank Israel's, Yasir Arafat, Jews Israelis, west bank, un 242, gaza strip, jewish immigration, palestinian people, occupied territory, israel won, proclamation statehood, land palestine, west bank gaza, due holocaust, bank gaza strip, gaza strip jericho, jewish immigration exceeded, persian gulf war,
Approximate Word count = 2727
Approximate Pages = 11 (250 words per page double spaced)