NOTE TO STUDENTS: Before answering the questions, read the “Background” below.

1. Name the leaders of Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

2. Name the two Palestinian parties that rule the Palestinians. Which one is considered to be a terrorist organization? Which one rules the Gaza Strip?

3. Why did Prime Minister Netanyahu last week suspend peace talks with the Palestinians?

4. What conditions did Mr. Netanyahu say the Palestinians must meet for Israel before Israel would resume peace talks?

5. The PLO (Fatah) and Hamas announced they would form a unity government. What did Mr. Abbas say the new unity government would do?

6. a) How did Israeli senior cabinet minister Naftali Bennett react to the unity plan?
b) What did he say would change their decision?

7. a) Consider what you know and have learned about Hamas (what they say, what they do, what others say about them). Do you think Israeli leaders are justified in their demands for Fatah and Hamas? Explain your answer.
b) Ask a parent if he/she thinks Fatah’s plan to unify with Hamas will lead to peace with Israel and to explain why or why not.