The roots of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict trace back centuries. Israelis and Palestinians have cultural, religious, and social differences, but have shared space for a long time. In 1948, Israel became an independent state, creating a refugee population of Palestinians as Israel expanded its borders. Certain areas in Israel, including the West Bank and Gaza, are occupied by Palestinians, while some areas like Jerusalem have both Israelis and Palestinians living among each other. The result has been segregation between the groups within Israel and a lack of empathy for others. This public radio story explores opinions among Israelis and Palestinians and its roots in segregation in the West Bank and Gaza.
Civics/Government World History II Geography Middle East Religion
Story Length: 7:35
© 2014 National Public Radio, Inc. Used with the permission of NPR. All rights reserved.
AIR DATE: 08/04/2014
India and Pakistan have been in conflict since the British drew a line across India in 1947 that created two opposing nations. Pakistan’s military focuses on preparing for a conflict with India, and its government teaches its citizens to fear India. India and Pakistan have gone to war twice over the disputed region Kashmir that lies between them like a no-man’s-land. This public radio story describes the dangerous legacy of the 1947 partition.
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North and South Korea have been separate nations for over 70 years. The North has never accepted this division and is on a mission to either force South Korea back into a united communist Korea or destroy it. Explore this modern hostility by looking back to the historic source of Korea’s division and analyzing the impact it has had on the life of people on both sides.
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Just one day after President Obama urged citizens of the United States “to reject discrimination against Muslim-Americans,” Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump in 2015 suggested that all Muslims be blocked from entering the U.S. He later softened his position. But some say that Trump’s idea was no different than when Japanese-Americans were detained by the U.S. government in internment camps during World War II. Xenophobia, a fear or dislike of people from other countries, may be triggered by real events, such as crime or terrorist attacks, but is often shown to be irrational. Listen to hear how the power of fear and anger can lead to hate and discrimination.
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Jews were expelled from Spain during the Inquisition and reparations were made just recently. Until 1492, Spain had a thriving Sephardic Jewish community. In 1492, Ferdinand and Isabella, the Spanish King and Queen, expelled or killed Jews, or forced them to convert to Catholicism. More than 500 years later, as a form of reparation for that historical wrong committed, Spain is offering citizenship to the descendants of Jews who were impacted during the Inquisition. The reaction of Jewish descendants has been mixed. The story raises issues about historical legacy, reparation and modern-day issues around Israel’s relationship with Europe.
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