THE ARAB-ISRAELI CONFLICT, c

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1 1 History 244 MLB Auditorium 3 T, Th 4-5:30, Winter 2016 Prof. Victor Lieberman THE ARAB-ISRAELI CONFLICT, c Course Description For over a hundred years Arabs and Jews have engaged in what is arguably the modern world's most embittered, intractable dispute. This conflict has engendered five interstate wars and innumerable low-level clashes. As a source of media attention, UN resolutions, and impassioned debate, the Arab-Israeli conflict has no equal. This course assesses the origins, dynamics, and the amazing, chameleon-like persistence of this conflict. How did the Arab-Zionist rivalry begin? Who won the various wars, and why did no victory produce a stable solution? What strategies did each side develop? What historical, legal, and moral arguments does each side marshal to justify its position? What has been the role of the United States? How are ISIS and regional upheavals likely to affect the conflict? And what does the conflict say about truth and morality in the modern world? This course welcomes students who have no knowledge of the conflict, students who by personal background or interest already know a good deal, and all those who fall between these poles. It considers a great variety of viewpoints and interpretations in inclusive, sympathetic fashion. The goal is to develop a non-partisan, non-judgmental, intellectual understanding of rival communities often subject to deep insecurities beyond their full understanding. This is not to say that truth always lies in the middle, that all decisions by Jews and Arabs have been comparably wise and edifying. It does mean that while a decent respect for the opinion of others is necessary in all university settings, it is especially critical in so controversial a course as this. The course grade will be based on: midterm exam (35%), final exam (40%) and performance in discussion section quizzes and discussions (25%). With the approval of GSI section leaders, students may also -- indeed, are strongly encouraged to -- write a term paper of doublespaced pages. Paper topics should be discussed and approved by late March, and the papers themselves will be due on the last day of class. Term papers will count approximately 20%, in which case midterm exams will count 25%, final exams 30%, and discussion sections 25%. Students seeking additional readings for term papers or personal enrichment should consult the bibliography at the end of the Lesch book and/or check with Prof. Lieberman. My office hours are Thursdays 3:10-4 in 1741 Haven -- or by appointment. 1

2 2 This course satisfies the Race and Ethnicity requirement. Books David Lesch, The Arab-Israeli Conflict: A History (New York: Oxford University Press, 2008) available at Ulrich's Bookstore, 549 East University. Because the book may arrive late at Ulrich's, I've put the first two chapters on C-Tools (Lesch, Arab-Israeli Conflict, p. 1-44), but you'll still need your own copy. Victor Lieberman, The Hundred-Year Struggle for Israel and Palestine: An Analytic History and Reader (University Readers, Newly Revised First Edition, 2016). This can only be purchased at Instructions will guide you through the ordering process. After purchase, you can access your partial e-book (Free 30% PDF) by logging onto your account and clicking "My Digital Materials" to get started on your readings at once. These two books will be supplemented by C-Tools materials. If finances are a problem, here are some suggestions: a) Find another student to split the cost of one or both books. b) Rent the Lesch book from Amazon.com or from Ulrich's. c) Buy used copies on-line or from students who took the course in past years, or buy a used copy of Lesch at Ulrich's. Although page numbers in the pre-2016 edition of my book do not match exactly the 2016-edition pages numbers, you can still use the earlier version if you can get a used copy. d) Read these books in the University Reserves of the Shapiro Undergraduate Library. Use these call numbers: YY 5.L6062 for Arab-Israeli Conflict, and YY 5.L6061 for The Hundred-Year Struggle. e) See me if none of the above options works for you. At $57.95, my book is more expensive than I'd like because we must pay royalties to publishers whose works appear in "Part Two. Readings." But this saves money because you need only two, not five, books as in earlier years. On my book sold to my students, I don't take a cent in royalties. Websites To follow current events, you may want to consult these websites: Almonitor.com is an independent website for Mideast news. English.pnn.ps is the Palestine News Network. 2

3 3 TimesofIsrael.com is an Israeli newspaper. Lectures and Readings Here follows a list of lectures and readings, which are organized to reflect a variety of viewpoints. I recommend that you read each assignment after the relevant lecture, but in any case the lecture and the readings should proceed in tandem. Because I wrote both the lectures and "Part One. Overview" of The Hundred-Year Struggle, you'll not be surprised to find that Part One overlaps with my lectures. Most students find that Part One provides a welcome review of lecture points they may have missed. Some students, however, may find this duplication annoying in which case, they can ignore Part One and concentrate on Part Two, which consists of important secondary sources. I. ORIGINS OF THE CONFLICT 1. The 100-Year War Lesch, 1-15 Lieberman, A Tale of Two Nationalisms: Zionism to 1940 Lesch, 25-35, Lieberman, 13-18, Michael Brenner, Zionism: A Brief History, C-Tools 3. A Tale of Two Nationalisms: Palestinian Political Movements to 1940 Lesch, 16-25, 35-37, Lieberman, 18-23, Khalidi, The Iron Cage, C-Tools Kimmerling and Migdal, The Palestinian People, C-Tools 4. The Twice Promised Land: Britain Retreats, Same readings as for Lectures # 2-3 plus Lesch, chs. 3, 4 Lieberman, II. EXPANDING THE CONFLICT,

4 4 5. World War Two's Impact Lesch, , Lieberman, 25-29, : The Catastrophe/ The War of Independence Lesch, Lieberman, 31-34, Kimmerling and Migdal, The Palestinian People, C-Tools 7. Refugees, Palestinian and Jewish Lieberman, 34-39, Lesch, Israeli and Palestinian Societies, 1949 to 1967 Lieberman, Kimmerling and Migdal, The Palestinian People, C-Tools Reich, Brief History of Israel, C-Tools 9. Israel and the Arab States 1949 to 1967 Lesch, ch. 6 Lieberman, 42-45, The Six Day War/ The June 1967 War Lesch, ch. 7 Lieberman, 45-48, Louis and Shlaim, Arab-Israeli War, C-Tools. You may also want to read ch. 11, by Rashid Khalidi, in this same collection on C-Tools. III. SPARRING FOR ADVANTAGE, The Temporary Empire Lieberman, The PLO and the Rise of Palestinian Resistance to c Lieberman, 51-54, Kimmerling and Migdal, Palestinian People, C-Tools 13. Israel Turns Right and the First Intifada,

5 5 Lieberman, 54-62, Kimmerling and Migdal, The Palestinian People, C-Tools If you feel you need more reading, skim Lesch, , Midterm Exam, Tuesday, February 23. Special needs students please see the notes at the end of the syllabus. 15. Film "Promises," February 25. IV. HOPE AND FAILURE, The Oslo Process Lesch, ch. 10 Lieberman, The Missing Peace and the Second Intifada Lesch, ch. 11 Lieberman, 67-72, "Suha Arafat" C-Tools 18. Israel Returns to Unilateralism Lesch, ch. 12 Lieberman, "Settler Profile," C-Tools 19. Anti-Israel Forces Return to Unilateralism: Hezbollah and Hamas Lieberman, 74-77, Norton, Hezbollah, chs. 4, 6. C-Tools "Hamas Textbooks." C-Tools 20. The Wars of Lieberman, "The Next War" Google Wikipedia entries for "2006 Lebanon War" and "Gaza War ( )" Olmert, "Peace Now or Never," C-Tools 5

6 6 21. Obama's Presidency: The Dance Continues Read as many entries as interest you: Google "Operation Pillar of Defense" and "2014 Israel Gaza War" "Hillary Clinton, Hard Choices," C-Tools "Cordesman on Gaza," C-Tools ""Hamas Defiant" C-Tools "Hamas Textbooks," C-Tools "Hamas Tunnel Networks," C-Tools. "Explosive, Inside Story," C-Tools "Indyk -- Pursuit" C-Tools and/or "Why Peace Failed" C-Tools ""Darkness Falls on Gaza" C-Tools "Al-Jazeera on Gaza 1" C-Tools "Al-Jazeera on Gaza 2" C-Tools "Al-Jazeera on Gaza 3" C-Tools "Hamas Left Us No..." C-Tools "Hamas Gambled on" C-Tools "Fifty Days of War" C-Tools "Escalating To Nowhere" C-Tools "Why Peace Failed," C-Tools 22. Regional Earthquakes Re-read any entries you liked from previous lecture, plus "Gaza Prepares," C-Tools "Scanning Borders," C-Tools Google "Syrian Civil War" and read whatever interests you V. CONCLUDING VIEWS 23. The US-Israel Relation Lieberman, 81-85, ""American Views Towards Israel," C-Tools "Why Americans See Israel" C-Tools "Sympathy for Palestinians Is Up," C-Tools 24. Victimization and Demonization Lieberman, 85-89, "Lybarger -- Identity & Religion" C-Tools "Why Jews Are Worried" C-Tools 6

7 7 ""Matti Friedman" C-Tools and/or "What the Media Gets Wrong" C- Tools "Subcontracting Repression" C-Tools "Human Stain" C-Tools "Brooks -- Fighting Anti-Semitism" C-Tools "Palestinian Anger," C-Tools "Palestinian Incitement," C-Tools "Palestinian University Dean," C-Tools 25. Solutions? Read as many entries as interest you: Lieberman, 89-96, "Settlement Contours, C-Tools Friedman, "Many Solutions," C-Tools "Al-Jazeera on Israel" C-Tools. "Al-Jazeera on Hezbollah" C-Tools "Tamimi -Hamas" C-Tools "Conversations" C-Tools "FA -- Palestinian Rejectionism." C-Tools. "Israel's Settlers Are Here To Stay," C- Tools "Right's One-State Vision" C-Tools "Naftali Bennett" C-Tools "Palestinian Poll," C- Tools "Mousa Abu Marzook," C-Tools "Israeli-Arab Diplomat" C-Tools "End of the Two-State Solution." C-Tools "Two States, One Economy." C-Tools "New US Poll." C-Tools "Palestinian Polls." C-Tools "Poll -- Three Quarters of Israeli Jews" C-Tools "Cracks in Hamas" C-Tools "Shlomo Avineri," C-Tools "Have a Nice Life," C-Tools 26. The Angel of History's Blessing Read as many entries as interest you: Lieberman, "Israel's Unprecedented Strength," C-Tools "Palestinian Momentum," C-Tools "Saudi newspaper," C-Tools "Israel Is Losing the Battle for Public Opinion," C-Tools "Israel's Decreasing Isolation," C-Tools "Arab Leaders Silent" C-Tools "Israel Struggles" C-Tools "Israel's Sustainable Success" C-Tools "Start-Up Nation" C-Tools 7

8 8 "Zionism's Future" C-Tools "Real Crisis Is Economic" C-Tools Google "Demographics of Israel." Under that heading, read "Demographics of Israel -- Wikipedia" and "The Real Demographics of Israel Yoram Ettinger Ruthfully Yours" Final Exam Thursday April 14, in class regular time, MLB Aud 3 Notes: If you have special needs that require you to have extra time for the midterm and final exams, naturally we will be happy to accommodate you. Please contact your GSI in advance to make mutually convenient arrangements. The History Dept. requires us to advise students writing research papers that they should be aware of the rules against plagiarism set forth by the College of LSA at 8