Troubled Land: Israel 2000-2012

• Second Intifada


  Period of intensified conflict (2000-05) between Palestinians and Israelis.
• Palestinian State


  Unresolved issue in Israel conflict regarding the creation of a Palestinian state.
• Jerusalem Status

  Unresolved issue in Israel conflict regarding the status of Jerusalem.
• Jewish Settlements

  Communities in occupied territories causing conflict in Israel.
• Palestinian Refugees

  Displaced individuals seeking the right to return to their homeland.
• Netanyahu

  Israeli Prime Minister (1996-99) criticized for hindering peace talks.
• Palestinian Authority


  Established for local self-government but lacking full political representation.
• Israeli Settlements

  Construction increased in occupied territories, causing tension.
• Ariel Sharon

  Israeli visit to Temple Mount in 2000 triggering the Second Intifada.
• Al-Aqsa Intifada

  Second Intifada named after the provocative visit to Temple Mount.
• Militant Groups

  Organized groups like Hamas and Fatah targeting Israeli civilians and military.
• Suicide Bombings

  Terrorist tactic used during the Second Intifada for maximum impact.
• Operation Defensive Shield

  Israeli military operation in 2002 to patrol streets, conduct raids, and arrest suspects.
• Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade

  Highly active terrorist group connected to Fatah, targeted by Israel.
• Yasser Arafat

  Palestinian leader whose compound was bombarded by Israel in 2004.
• Security Fence

  708km long barrier separating Israeli settlements from Palestinian areas.
• Roadmap for Peace


  American proposal in 2003 to resolve Palestinian-Israeli hostility.
• Mahmoud Abbas


  New Palestinian Authority leader who met with Ariel Sharon in 2004.
• Likud Party

  Right-wing Israeli political party dominating politics post-2003.
• Hamas

  Palestinian group refusing peace talks with Israel, won 2006 elections.
• Hezbollah

  Militant group involved in terrorist activities against Israel.
• Fatah

  Political group in Palestine, previously controlled the Palestinian Authority.
• Gaza War

  Conflict in 2008-2009 between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
• Operation Cast Lead

  Full-scale Israeli invasion of Gaza in December 2008.
• Qassam rockets


  Primitive rockets without guidance system used by Hamas against Israel.
• Israeli blockade

  Restriction of supplies and aid to Gaza by Israel.
• UNRWA


  United Nations Relief and Works Agency, providing aid to Palestinians.
• Peace process

  Efforts to negotiate peace between Israel and Palestine.
• Operation objectives

  To suppress Hamas and destroy tunnels used for smuggling military supplies.
• International aid

  Aid provided by the international community, restricted due to conflict.