Key Terms in Middle Eastern Politics

Palestinian Liberation Organization

• An organization founded in 1964 by Yasser Arafat, with the purpose of the liberation of Palestine through armed struggle.

• A political party established in 1970 to promote peace in the Middle East.

• A cultural organization aimed at preserving Palestinian heritage since 1980.

• A humanitarian group formed in 1965 to provide aid to Palestinian refugees.

Two-State Solution

• A proposed solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict envisioning two states for two peoples.

• A plan to unify Israel and Palestine into a single state.

• A strategy to increase military presence in the region.

• An economic agreement between Israel and Palestine.

Intifada

• Palestinian uprisings against Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza.

• A peace treaty between Israel and Palestine.

• A military operation conducted by Israel in Gaza.

• An international conference on Middle Eastern peace.

Nakba

• The 1948 Palestinian exodus during the creation of the state of Israel.

• A peace treaty signed in 1993 between Israel and Palestine.

• A historical event marking the end of the Ottoman Empire.

• A term used to describe the Israeli independence movement.

Zionism

• A movement for the re-establishment, development, and protection of a Jewish nation in what is now Israel.

• A political ideology advocating for the establishment of a socialist state in Europe.

• A cultural movement aimed at promoting Jewish literature and arts.

• An international organization focused on global peace and security.

Settlements

• Communities established by Israel on lands it occupied in the 1967 Middle East war.

• Temporary housing for refugees in the Middle East.

• Military bases set up by Israel in the 1970s.

• Cultural centers promoting peace in the region.

Hamas

• A Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist militant organization.

• A political party in Israel.

• A humanitarian organization in Gaza.

• A secular nationalist group in the West Bank.

BDS Movement

• A global campaign promoting various forms of boycott against Israel until it complies with international law.

• A political movement advocating for the annexation of Palestinian territories.

• An initiative to promote trade relations with Israel.

• A cultural exchange program between Israel and Arab nations.

Occupation

• The control and possession of a territory by a foreign military power.

• A temporary stay in a place for leisure or business.

• The act of taking possession of something without permission.

• A profession or job that someone does for a living.

Arab League

• A regional organization of Arab countries in and around North Africa, the Horn of Africa, and Arabia.

• A military alliance of Middle Eastern countries.

• An economic union of North African nations.

• A cultural organization promoting Arab literature and arts.