The Fifty Years War: Israel and the Arabs

49min

Documentary

The main decision-makers from Israel, the Arab states, Russia and the US tell the inside story of the Arab-Israel conflict.

Episodes

Cast

1948-56

1. 1948-56

49min

15th Mar 1998

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

2. 1967

48min

22nd Mar 1998

Tracing the pattern of dramatic and covert events leading to the Six Day War of June 1967.

1967-1982

3. 1967-1982

48min

29th Mar 1998

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

4. 1970-79

48min

5th Apr 1998

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

5. 1987-1991

48min

12th Apr 1998

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

6. 1992-98

49min

19th Apr 1998

A series of cloak and-dagger manoeuvres sealed a historic first peace agreement between the Palestinians and Israel in September 1993.

First air date

15th Mar 1998

Last air date

19th Apr 1998

Status

Ended

Type

Miniseries

Original language

en

Networks