Differing historical legal religious claims

Differing historical legal and religious claims to the same land

**Lesson plan. **Power point with 17 slides, text, and teachers’ notes.

Content
A balanced account of the historic, legal and religious claims to the land by Arabs and Israelis. A brave attempt to unravel this controversial subject.

Consists of multiple quotations from both sides, and exact wording of Charters, Covenants, peace treaties and UN resolutions.

Target audience. Years 12, 13. Also suitable for years 10, 11, 12.

Length. 50-60 minutes, including audience participation and Q&A.

Text. Designed to be read by the students, or by the teacher, or delivered in the teacher’s own words.

Slides. Maps and photos which illustrate and clarify the text. (All checked for copyright).

Overall message. It is stressed throughout that the issue is so complex that it is essential to read, listen to and watch and learn from as many different sources as possible. Only then will it be possible to reach an evidence-based conclusion.

If there is ever to be peace, the views and motivations of both sides must be understood, even if they are not agreed with.

Expected Outcome.
The students will have a broader knowledge of the conflicting and opposing views of both sides, as well as a deeper understanding of the differing interpretations of events and ideologies.

They will understand that there are many contradictory accounts of events past and present, and that it is essential to read, listen to and learn from as many different sources as possible.

How the lesson evolved. I am a peripatetic teacher, and I am invited into schools to give talks on the Arab Israeli conflict. Recently it has been increasingly evident that many teachers have become wary of touching the subject as so many students already have their own strongly-felt opinions. I have found that, by giving equal weight to many quotations from both sides, illustrated by colourful maps and pictures, it is possible (almost always) to encourage them to try to hear all sides of an issue.