Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Webquest

Now that we've talked about the origin of the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians, we want to explore in greater depth the actual issue of an independent state for the Palestinians.  We will do so by preparing to participate in a mock peace conference called the "Jerusalem 2011 Peace Conference".  You will receive a role to play in the conference and will conduct research using ONLY the web links below to prepare to respond the the "big questions" as your person.

Jerusalem 2011 Peace Conference: You will receive one of the roles below to represent at the conference. You won't be expected to give individual introductions, but you should come ready to represent your role from a relatively accurate position. You can expect some of these "big questions" to be on the agenda of the conference.
  • Should an independent Palestinian state be created? If so, where?
  • What should be done with the status of Jerusalem?
  • Should the security barrier/ wall on the West Bank be removed?
  • What should be done to improve conditions in Gaza?
  • What role, if any, does the outside world play in these negotiations?
  • Should Palestinian refugees receive the "right of return?"
  • What can be done to increase the safety of the citizens of Israel?

Representatives of Israel
  • Israel - Benjamin Netanyahu (Prime Minister - Likud)
  • Israel - soldier serving of Gaza border
  • Israel - settler living on West Bank
Representatives of the Palestinians
  • Palestinian National Authority President Mahmoud Abbas (Fatah)
  • Palestinian -PNA Prime Minister Ismail Haniya (Gaza - Hamas)
  • Palestinian - PNA Prime Minister Salam Fayyad (West Bank - Fatah)
  • Palestinian - resident of Hebron (West Bank)
Representatives of "The Quartet"
  • Special Mideast Envoy Tony Blair
  • US President Barack Obama
Process

Step 1:  Failed Peace Talks
Click on the link below to go to a BBC story on the failed peace talks.  Read through each one, and record in your notes what worked, what didn't, and why a lasting peace wasn't achieved.  Also, identify which ones came the closest to creating a lasting peace - what about them came close to working?


Step 2:  Basics about the Crisis and obstacles to peace
Use each of the links below to explore this issue in greater depth.  You are now looking at this issue through the lens of your character.  Be sure to seek out information, details, conditions, explanations and other items that will help you in our mock Peace Conference.  Record any details you will want to be sure to bring up in our conference.  Your grade will be  based not only on your participation in the discussion, but also in the level of detail you use.

BBC News - Middle East Peace Crisis  (make sure to click on Middle East Peace Talks: Where they Stand)  Also scroll down to the related links and browse through any/all of them to help deepen your understanding of the crisis.


Obstacles to Middle East Peace: Jerusalem  Also use the 'Related Links' on this site - Borders and Settlements, Refugees, and Water