The 50 Years War: Israel and the Arabs
Season 1
Created by:
Network: BBC Two
Season aired: 1998-05-10
Overview
Decision-makers from Israel, the Arab states, Russia, and the U.S. tell the inside story of the Arab-Israel conflict. Charts the evolution of tensions, violence, and peace efforts from 1948 to 1998.
Episodes · 6
1948–56
In 1948, the state of Israel was proclaimed. This episode recounts how the US, later Israel's greatest ally, came close to stopping the creation of the new state.
1967
Tracing the pattern of dramatic and covert events leading to the Six Day War of June 1967.
1967–1982
The Palestinian story, beginning with Yasser Arafat's first secret crossing of the River Jordan to launch raids on Israel and ending with his exile to Tunis.
1970–79
Israel was not prepared for the outbreak of the Yom Kippur War. Ex-US president Jimmy Carter recalls how, in 1978, he managed to broker the Arab-Israel agreement.
1987–1991
The protracted search for peace was repeatedly sabotaged. The deadlock was finally broken by the Intifada - a Palestinian uprising in the occupied territories.
1992–98
A series of cloak and-dagger manoeuvres sealed a historic first peace agreement between the Palestinians and Israel in September 1993.
