The+Holy+Land

During its long history, Jerusalem has been destroyed twice, besieged 23 times, attacked 52 times, and captured and recaptured 44 times. Why all the fuss? What do you personally know about Jerusalem? In the discussion forum, //Notes on Jerusalem//, mention at least three things you know about one of the oldest cities in world.__ [|http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerusalem#cite_note-Moment-11] __ Read the posts of others to get a better collective understanding of the city 6,427 miles away.

Overview questions on Israel & Jerusalem.


In examining the creation of the modern Israel and Jerusalem, you'll find it is filled with years of influential history and loads of biased content. But we must try to filter through all the detailed history and all the bias to get to the heart of the issue, which is why do people care so much about Israel - and specifically Jerusalem? In this lesson you will examine the best available resources that quickly guide you in seeing why this location in the world is so complex. You are to take notes during the investigation by creating a word processing document (use cloud computing if possible such as Google Docs). Your notes will not be turned in but will be necessary to complete the overview questions which will be turned in

__History of Jerusalem__
 * 1) Take a look at this video from YouTube. This video on the creation of Israel does tend to support the Arab side of the issue. None-the-less, the history provided is essential. media type="youtube" key="9EATEeKJcTA" height="315" width="560"
 * 2) As you continue taking notes, take a look at this __Economist__ magazine link. It describes some of the situation in Jerusalem specifically. For example, the city shares a holy site for both Islam (Dome of the Rock) and Judaism (Western Wall). Try to capture notes on why there is conflict in Jerusalem.
 * 3) Now let's see how this unique history affects people that live in Jerusalem. As you watch this clip, take notes on how their lives are different than yours and why. media type="youtube" key="XHksMBwkO6c" height="315" width="560"
 * 4) Before you do the assignment, take a look at the two websites below. Use the information gathered to support evidence as you complete the overview questions.

__History of Israel__

Introduction to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict:
You are going to use a PowerPoint to learn about the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians. The "Think About It" above was used to introduce the struggle of two historically related groups of people living in the same geographic area. The question is, who should possess it now or can they share it?.

To acquaint yourself with the area before viewing the PowerPoint, look at the political map of Israel and surrounding nations and take a short helicopter tour over the West Bank and Israel.

__Political Map of Israel and Surrounding Nations__ (to enlarge any area, click when you see the magnifier appear)

__Helicopter Tour over the West Bank/Israel__

Use the PowerPoint (link provided below) to learn about the nations involved and why there is such conflict. Take notes as you go. Stop the PowerPoint where indicated and respond to the specific reflection questions given. The PowerPoint stops six times for 3-minute quick writes in order to give you a chance to think about the history of the Iraeli-Palestinian conflict. Use the assignment below to record your responses.

Answer the questions in the following powerpoint on a separate sheet of paper to be turned in:

PowerPoint Link: __ Reflections for the Israeli_Palestinian Conflict: A Lesson in Perspective __

President Obama believes that we cannot afford to wait to work for peace in the region, so he appointed a Special Envoy for Middle East peace on his second day in office. In the Middle East, we share the goal of a lasting peace between Israel and its neighbors. The United States strongly supports the goal of two states, Israel and a Palestinian state, living side by side in peace and security. The President has committed himself and his Administration to actively pursuing this goal.

Working independently, choose ONE of the following:


 * 1) **Seeing Things from Another Perspective: The Israeli View--**Pretend that you are a teenager living in Israel. You have been asked to write an article for a magazine that is published for Palestinian teenagers about your view of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As this is written for teens, please be sure to put the information in YOUR OWN WORDS. Your article should be at least three paragraphs and include the following: claims to the land, current issues, the various wars and intifadas, various peace efforts, and a creative title for your article.
 * 2) **Seeing Things from Another Perspective: The Palestinian View--**Pretend that you are a Palestinian teenager. You have been asked to write an article for a magazine that is published for teenagers in Israel about your view of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As this is written for teens, please be sure to put the information in YOUR OWN WORDS. Your article should be at least three paragraphs and include the following: claims to the land, current issues, the various wars and intifadas, various peace efforts, and a creative title for your article.