The Arab-Israeli Conflict

American Influence and the Palestinian Movement

By: Ryan Webb

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

The complex and intransigent conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians has dominated the 20th century. While British support of Zionism facilitated the creation of the Jewish State, it is unclear whether a lack of British support would have prevented it. Nevertheless, following World War II, the British, deeply in debt, transferred world superpower status to the United States, which moved into Greece and Turkey and immediately recognized the Jewish state in 1948. Since then, the US influence has been beneficial towards Israel. Even so, in the 1990’s, the drive to broker a peace has given the Palestinians more recognition and standing in the international community. Overall, there is little evidence to argue that the United States has made the conflict worse. Ultimately, it is up to the two parties to decide whether peace will come to the region.