Main Challenges Discussed 🚧
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The Puzzle of Jerusalem 🏛
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What's the fuss? Both Israelis and Palestinians wanted Jerusalem as their capital.
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The Israeli Stance: Keep Jerusalem entirely under their control.
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Real-world example: Imagine two kids wanting the same toy. To make things more complicated, by the late 1990s, Israeli 'bases' (settlements) with 150,000 Israelis surrounded East Jerusalem, which was mostly Arab.
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The Jewish Settlement Question 🏠
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Dilemma: There were many Jewish homes in the occupied areas. What happens to them?
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Options
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Give them up?
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Or let Israeli soldiers guard them?
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Real-world example: Think of a new student in school who brings their lunch. Should they eat their lunch alone, or should they be joined by their old friends to protect their meal?
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The Dream of an Independent Palestine 🌐
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Question: What kind of state do Palestinians want?
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The Challenge: Even if it’s just West Bank and Gaza, Palestinians would want full independence. However, with Israeli soldiers there, it's like having a stranger living in your guest room.
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Israel's Concern: They're worried many Palestinians wouldn't be happy with a smaller state and might try to take over the whole house (i.e., Israel).
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Real-world example: Think of sharing a room with a sibling. One might want their own room, but the other is worried about them taking over the whole house!
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The Palestinian Refugee's Right to Return 🌍
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Big Question: What about the Palestinians who had to leave their homes in 1948-9 during some intense fights?
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Israel's Stance: They shouldn’t come back, fearing their homes would get too crowded.
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Concern: If all returned, Palestinians might outnumber Israelis.
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A Concerned Voice: An Arab info service in the UK compared this to a ticking time bomb under any peace deal.
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Real-world example: It’s like having a party where you only invite a few friends but worry about the entire school showing up!
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