The Learning Network: Clashes on Israel's Border

Rina Castelnuovo for The New York Times Like other recent protests in Arab countries, plans for this one spread on social media, including Facebook. Palestinians confronted Israeli soldiers near the Qalandia checkpoint in the West Bank. Go to related article »Use the photo and related article to answer basic news questions.

Note: Today’s 6 Q’s About the News pulls from multiple Times sources to help students understand the basics of this complex topic. Each question links to a resource in which they can find an answer, including the Times Topics page that features a short overview of power divide in the Palestinian territories. In some cases the link will take students directly to the page or paragraph from which the information comes.

WHEN did violent clashes occur on Israel’s border?

WHAT is significant about that date?
WHAT does “nakba” mean to the Palestinian protesters?
WHAT is the conflict between the Palestinians and Israelis regarding Gaza in particular?

HOW did Israeli troops respond to the protesters?
HOW has the so-called Arab Spring affected Israel?

WHOM did each side blame for the bloodshed?

WHY have the United States and the European Union threatened action against Syria?
WHY has it been hard for the Palestinian territories to forge a settlement with Israel?

WHERE is the territory that Hamas had controlled?
WHERE is the territory that Fatah had controlled?

Related: Our lesson plans “The Basics: Understanding the Upheaval in the Middle East” and “Breaking Down Barriers.”