| Abstract |
The establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 culminated a yearning which burned in the hearts of world Jewry for nearly 2000 years. During these centuries, Jews have suffered untold persecution, and were nearly wiped out in Europe during the Hitler regime in Germany. Is it any great wonder that Zionism, as an emotional and political movement, had so much appeal to the Jewish people. The Middle East is the crossroad of the world in which every major power has such extensive interests that none can afford a shift in the balance of power. Since that fateful day in 1948, the very existence of Israel has been challenged by the Arab world, which has set as its course the removal of Israel from the face of the earth. This Arab- Israeli dispute has reached such proportions that it threatens not only peace in the Middle East, but the peace of the world as well. There are many issues which separate the Arabs and the Israelis. These involve borders, refugees, water, immigration, and many others. The real core issue, however, is the refusal of the Arabs to recognize the existence of Israel. All other differences could conceivably be resolved, if the issue of existence was not ever-present and seemingly insolvable. Moreover, as Israel grows and becomes more viable, the Arabs become increasingly alarmed and tensions grow stronger. |
