Presentations - Campana/ Head

Alex Campana-   

Following World War II, the British withdrew from their mandate of Palestine, and the UN partitioned the area into Arab and Jewish states, an arrangement rejected by the Arabs. Subsequently, the Israelis defeated the Arabs in a series of wars without ending the deep tensions between the two sides. The territories Israel occupied since the 1967 war are not included in the Israel country profile, unless otherwise noted. On 25 April 1982, Israel withdrew from the Sinai pursuant to the 1979 Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty. In keeping with the framework established at the Madrid Conference in October 1991, bilateral negotiations were conducted between Israel and Palestinian representatives and Syria to achieve a permanent settlement. Israel and Palestinian officials signed on 13 September 1993 a Declaration of Principles (also known as the "Oslo Accords") guiding an interim period of Palestinian self-rule. Outstanding territorial and other disputes with Jordan were resolved in the 26 October 1994 Israel-Jordan Treaty of Peace. In addition, on 25 May 2000, Israel withdrew unilaterally from southern Lebanon, which it had occupied since 1982. In April 2003, US President BUSH, working in conjunction with the EU, UN, and Russia - the "Quartet" - took the lead in laying out a roadmap to a final settlement of the conflict by 2005, based on reciprocal steps by the two parties leading to two states, Israel and a democratic Palestine. However, progress toward a permanent status agreement was undermined by Israeli-Palestinian violence between September 2003 and February 2005. In the summer of 2005, Israel unilaterally disengaged from the Gaza Strip, evacuating settlers and its military while retaining control over most points of entry into the Gaza Strip. The election of HAMAS to head the Palestinian Legislative Council froze relations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA). Ehud OLMERT became prime minister in March 2006 and presided over a 34-day conflict with Hizballah in Lebanon in June-August 2006 and a 23-day conflict with HAMAS in the Gaza Strip during December 2008 and January 2009. OLMERT, who in June 2007 resumed talks with PA President Mahmoud ABBAS, resigned in September 2008. Prime Minister Binyamin NETANYAHU formed a coalition in March 2009 following a February 2009 general election. Direct talks launched in September 2010 collapsed following the expiration of Israel's 10-month partial settlement construction moratorium in the West Bank.

Presentations-

The Israeli–Palestinian conflict is the ongoing struggle between
Israelis and Palestinians that began in the early 20th century. The
conflict is wide-ranging, and the term is also used in reference to
the earlier phases of the same conflict, between the Zionist yishuv
and the Arab population living in Palestine under Ottoman and then
British rule. It forms part of the wider Arab–Israeli conflict. The
remaining key issues are: mutual recognition, borders, security, water
rights, control of Jerusalem, Israeli settlements, Palestinian freedom
of movement and legalities concerning refugees. The violence resulting
from the conflict has prompted international actions, as well as other
security and human rights concerns, both within and between both
sides, and internationally. In addition, the violence has curbed
expansion of tourism in the region, which is full of historic and
religious sites that are of interest to many people around the world.

-Ronni Balko

Presentations

NOOR-
 
The last royal family of Russia led a country with full control in their hands. The ultimate power over the entire country resided in their hands, and if one got through to the Tsar, one had the access to power and rule over the whole nation. Because of this unrestrained government Grigory Efimovich Rasputin was able to manipulate the Russian government by acquiring the royal family's personal favor. 

     At the time the people of Russia, mainly poor peasants, were waging revolts against the Tsar. Their living conditions were horrid, as most had barely any food, shelter or possibility of trade, as well as a freezing climate to endure. Meanwhile, Russia had a humiliating defeat against the Japanese in the Russo-Japanese war, where many lives were lost. Shortly after the defeat Russia was engaged in World War I. The citizens of Russia needed a true leader to support them through these harsh conditions, because their Tsar, Nicholas II, was a weak man, overruled by his own wife, Alexandra. 

     The royal son and heir to the throne, Alexei, suffered from the deadly disease hemophilia. The Tsar and Tsarina enlisted the magic "man of God" Rasputin to use his "healing powers" to save their child's life. The boy lived and from that moment on Rasputin became the most important and influential person in the Russian court. This mysterious and destitute Siberian peasant manipulated the royal family and acquired immediate access to the ruling of the country. He deeply influenced the Tsarina, who in turn controlled her husband. Rasputin had gained the personal worship of the Romanov family and therefore was able to gain full access to the government of Russia. He influenced the political and religious scene. 

     The lack of a checks and balances system, and rather an unrestrained government, was the reason of Rasputin's sudden rise to power and the demise of the Russian dynasty.