PODCAST: Arab Spring, Israel and Syria

David Weinberger / May 19, 2011

In this week’s Heritage in Focus podcast, Heritage Middle East expert Jim Phillips reflects on the current unrest between Israel and Syria. To listen to the full interview, click here.

A few days ago marked the anniversary of “nakba,” or “the day of catastrophe,” for Palestinians and their Arab allies. That day is May 15, 1948: The day Israel gained its independence.

Israel’s foremost enemies, Syria, Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah, mobilized Palestinian militants recruited from refugee camps in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza to demonstrate against Israel by marching up to the border to violently attack Israeli border guards and fences. Every year protests take place, but this year was especially hostile. Protestors, chanting death to Israel, threw rocks and bottles at Israeli forces. After Palestinian aggression escalated, hundreds of Arabs burst across the border. The Israelis, in an act of self-defense, fired shots at the protestors who were charging at them. (more…)