With problems in the Gaza Strip making big headlines all the time these days (and days past), perhaps its time to brush up on your knowledge of Middle East history. As every cognizant being knows the battle over Jerusalem, the establishment of the state of Israel, the settlements, terrorism…all these things have had a major impact on the 20th and 21st centuries. On OUR lives. Whichever side you are on, you can’t deny that it is a major global issue that affects us all in some way. So it is surprising sometimes how little people know about thr roots of the Mid East conflict. How did Israel get there? Why is Jerusalem so important? How can so many people see the same issue in so many different ways?
Well, it is obviously a very complex series of issues that I don’t purport to explain here. But I can provide you with some useful links to help you understand it better. One place that you should go for a simple, and elegant overview of the problems in the Middle East is this National Geographic site called Xpedition Hall. Using a clever device called “Culture Goggles” they show how different religions view the same issue, in one case, the city of Jerusalem. Another well-done piece called Lines in the Sand by Nat Geo gives an overview of the Gaza issue, so big in the news right now. Of course, no online history lesson would be complete without checking out Wikipedia. Here is a superb discussion of Jerusalem, as well as links to articles on the Six Day War and the Yom Kippur War, both of which are of immense importance in understanding what is going on over there. I realize these just scratch the surface, there are scores of books to recommend as well (including several superb ones by Tom Friedman) but it is never a bad idea to brush up on your understanding of such important issues.