When did the Middle East conflict begin? Did it begin with the Zionist settlement movement in the 1800s, under the Jewish Homeland plan of Theodor Herzl? Was it an outgrowth of the fall of the Ottoman Empire over the course of the First World War? Was it because of decisions by France, Britain and the United States to carve out a Jewish state from Arab Palestine in 1948? Was it because of wars of aggression by Egypt and Syria, or heedless occupation of captured territory by Jewish settlers? What about Hamas? The PLO? Hezbollah? PFLP? Ultra-Orthodox Jews in Israel and Ultra-Conservative Muslims in Arab lands surrounding Palestine? What role did the United States play in seeking peace? What did the United States do to make the situation worse? Will it ever be possible to restore peace in Palestine? Dr. Robert Ladner will be leading a special Tuesday Night course in the historical and cultural roots of the Palestinian-Israeli-Arab-American conflict and the awful struggles and dilemmas that these players face today. Learn about the history of the region, the impact of Western decisions after the First and Second World Wars, and the legacy of these decisions that led to 9/11. Read source documents, hear lectures, face the mistakes of the past and grapple with what we must do in the future. Class meets in Founders Hall. Please sign up with the church office or by calling or texting Dr. Ladner at 305-753-1661.