Advocating for Israel: History, Tools and Tips A Message from the Baltimore Jewish Council: TABLE OF CONTENTS The publication of this guide, Advocating for Israel: History, Tools and Tips, provides an opportunity for Introduction those who support Israel to become more involved in advocating on its behalf. It is designed for those who are becoming politically active for the first time, as well as seasoned Israel supporters. Event Timeline…………………………………………………………………………………………...2 While many people have traveled to Israel, attended lectures, and/or read about the country, there are Israel: Background…………………………………………………………………………………...….7 many who are not aware or comfortable with the process of advocacy. The purpose of this guide is to help bridge that gap. Key Words and Common Terms About Israel………………………………..………………………. 9 This guide was not created for a “one-time” event; it is a resource that can sit in your home, office, Understanding Israel’s Government…………………………...………………………………………11 classroom, or backpack and may be referred to at any time. Israel: Some Facts………………………….……………………………………………………………13 Information in this guide was developed from a variety of publications and web-based sources. We have Advocating for Israel………………...………………………………………………………...........…14 made every effort to confirm the veracity of the facts presented. Writing a Letter to Your Representative………………………………………………………………..15 To become more involved in Israel advocacy, please contact the Baltimore Jewish Council at Meeting With Officials………………………………………………………………………………….17 410-542-4850 or visit www.baltjc.org. Communicating Your Message…………………………………………………………………………18 Representing Yourself, Your Organization and Israel…………………………………..…………….19 Talking to Reporters…………………………………………………………………………………….19 Writing a Letter to the Editor…………………………………………………………………………...20 National Partner Organizations: Some Recommendations……………………………………….....21 Suggested Reading List…………………………………………………………………………………22 Resources on the Web…………………………………………………………………………..……..23 Things You Can Do to Support Israel….………………………………………....…………………...24 Israel: THE ASSOCIATED and its Agencies ………………………………………………………... 25 Notes 2 3 Event Timeline November 5, 1973 February 25, 1994 Kissinger begins shuttle diplomacy Jewish gunman kills 29 Palestinian February 14, 1896 September 1950 worshippers in Hebron Publication of Theodor Herzl’s treatise Operation Magic Carpet; May 15, 1974 Terrorist attack on school in northern April 6, 1994 “The Jewish State” 47,000 Yemeni Jews to Israel Israeli town of Ma’alot Afula suicide bombing; kills eight August 29, 1897 Oct. 29-Nov. 6, 1950 November 10, 1975 May 4, 1994 Opening of the First Zionist Congress at Suez Campaign Basel, Switzerland “Zionism is Racism” resolution passed by the UN Agreement on the Gaza Strip and Jericho reached October 10, 1959 November 19, 1977 May 13, 1994 November 2, 1917 Creation of Fatah Issuing of Balfour Declaration: British support for a Egyptian President Anwar Sadat visits Jerusalem Israel withdraws from Jericho, followed by Gaza “Jewish Homeland” January 1964 on May 18 September 17, 1978 Creation of Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) April 24, 1920 Camp David Accords signed July 1, 1994 Britain assigned mandatory power over Palestine January 1, 1965 Arafat enters Gaza March 26, 1979 at the San Remo Conference Fatah attack on Israeli water system Egypt-Israel peace treaty signed October 9, 1994 August 23, 1929 May 15-22, 1967 Hamas kidnaps and kills an Israeli soldier Arab attack on Jewish community of Hebron Egyptian Mobilization in the Sinai/Closure of the June 7, 1981 October 14, 1994 Tiran Straits Israel attacks Iraq’s Osirak nuclear reactor April 15, 1936 Rabin, Peres, and Arafat awarded Nobel Peace Prize Arab revolt begins June 5-10, 1967 June 6, 1982 Operation “Peace for the Galilee” launched; October 19, 1994 Six Day War May 17, 1939 start of Lebanon War Tel Aviv bus bombing; kills 13 British White Paper limiting Jewish November 22, 1967 November 1984 October 26, 1994 immigration to Palestine Adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 242 Operation Moses airlifts 7,000 Ethiopian Israel-Jordan Peace Treaty December 1945 April 4, 1968 Jews to Israel Initiation of Arab League Boycott (on the December 1, 1994 Establishment of Jewish settlement in Hebron Jewish community of Palestine) October 7, 1986 Transfer of West Bank administrative July 18, 1968 Hijacking of Achille Lauro control to Palestinians July 22, 1946 Hijacking of El Al airliner by PLO Irgun bombs King David Hotel December 8, 1987 January 22, 1995 February 1-4, 1969 Start of the first Intifada Beit Lid suicide bombing; kills 21 February 14, 1947 Arafat becomes PLO Chairman Britain gives U.N. responsibility for Palestine January 16-February 27, 1991 April 9, 1995 March 8, 1969 Gulf War; Iraq launches SCUD missiles at Israel Gaza suicide bombings; kills eight November 29, 1947 War of Attrition begins, lasts to August 1970 U.N. Partition Plan approved (Resolution 181) May 24, 1991 September 28, 1995 Operation Solomon brings September 5, 1973 Signing of Oslo II agreement May 14, 1948 14,000 Ethiopian Jews to Israel Massacre of 11 Israeli athletes at Munich Olympics Declaration of the State of Israel November 4, 1995 October 30, 1991 October 6-24, 1973 Assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin May 15, 1948-January 1949 Madrid Peace Conference Yom Kippur War War of Independence November 13, 1995 December 16, 1991 Israel redeploys from Palestinian October 17, 1973 January 25, 1949 UN repeals “Zionism is Racism” resolution population centers Israel’s first national election takes place; Arab Oil Embargo September 13, 1993 January 20, 1996 David Ben-Gurion elected Prime Minister October 22, 1973 Israel-Palestinian Declaration of First Palestinian elections May 1950 Adoption of U.N. Security Council Resolution 338 Principles announced Operation Ali Baba; brings 113,000 February 25, 1996 Iraqi Jews to Israel December 30, 1993 Jerusalem/Ashkelon suicide bombings; kills 27 Israel and Vatican sign “Fundamental Agreement” 4 5 September 19, 2002 February 22, 2004 March 3, 1996 December 2, 2001 Suicide bus bombing in Tel Aviv; kills six Suicide bombing of Jerusalem bus; kills eight Bombing of bus in downtown Jerusalem; kills 19 A suicide bomber of a bus in Haifa; kills 15 October 21, 2002 March 14, 2004 March 4, 1996 January 4, 2002 Car bomb kills 14 people on a bus Double suicide bombing at an Bombing outside main Tel Aviv mall; kills 13 Israel intercepts massive Palestinian arms shipment at Karkur Junction Ashdod port; kills eight September 24, 1996 March 2, 2002 November 21, 2002 August 31, 2004 Palestinian “Tunnel Riots” erupt Suicide bombing outside a bar mitzvah party in Suicide bombing of Jerusalem bus; kills 11 Two simultaneous suicide bombings Jerusalem; kills 11 in Beersheba; kills 16 January 17, 1997 November 28, 2002 Israel withdraws from Hebron March 9, 2002 Gunman attacks Likud Party headquarters November 11, 2004 Suicide bombing of Jerusalem café; kills 11 in Beit Shean; kills six Yasser Arafat dies in a Paris hospital March 13, 1997 Jordanian soldier kills seven Israeli schoolgirls March 12, 2002 January 5, 2003 December 23, 2004 Hezbollah operatives open fire on Israeli Two simultaneous suicide bombings The first phase of PA municipal elections are held; July 30, 1997 vehicles in Kibbutz Metzuba; kills six in Tel Aviv; kills 23 Hamas secures nearly half the seats Hamas suicide bomber explodes in a Jerusalem market, killing 16 March 27, 2002 March 5, 2003 February 25, 2005 Suicide bomber kills 30 at Passover Suicide bombing of Haifa bus; kills 17 Suicide bombing at Tel Aviv nightclub; kills five September 4, 1997 seder at Netanya hotel Three bombs on Jerusalem pedestrian mall; April 20, 2003 February 26, 2005 kills five, injure 181 March 29, 2002 Suicide bombing at Mike’s Place, a Tel Aviv The Knesset gives final approval to the Disengagement IDF begins Operation Defensive Shield to uproot blues club; kills three Plan, rejects calls for a national referendum October 23, 1998 terrorist infrastructure in West Bank Israel-Palestinian “Wye Memorandum” signed April 30, 2003 July 12, 2005 March 31, 2002 The “Road Map for Peace” is presented by Suicide bombing of Netanya mall; kills five December 10, 1998 Suicide bombing in Haifa restaurant; kills 15 the Quartet to the Israelis and Palestinians Palestinians vote to change PLO charter in August 17-22, 2005 presence of President Clinton April 10, 2002 May 18, 2003 Evacuation of settlers from the Gaza Strip Suicide bombing of bus traveling from Haifa Suicide bombing of Jerusalem bus; kills seven May 24, 2000 to Jerusalem; kills eight August 23, 2005 Israel withdraws from southern Lebanon June 11, 2003 Evacuation of four settlements in the northern West April 12, 2002 Suicide bombing of Jerusalem bus; kills 17 Bank completed July 11-25, 2000 Female suicide bomber attacks Jerusalem Camp David Summit market; kills six August 19, 2003 September 12, 2005 Suicide bombing of Jerusalem bus; kills 24 Israeli military completes withdrawal from the Gaza September 29, 2000 May 7, 2002 Outbreak of widespread Palestinian violence, Suicide bombing at Rishon Le-Zion September 8, 2003 December 5, 2005 “Second Intifada” begins billiards hall; kills 15 Suicide bombing on Jerusalem bus; kills nine Suicide bombing of a shopping mall in Netanya; kills five October 12, 2000 June 5, 2002 September 8, 2003 Suicide bombing of bus in Two Israeli soldiers lynched by Palestinian mob Suicide bombing of Jerusalem café; kills eight January 4, 2006 in Ramallah