In light of on-going strife in the Middle East, particularly in Palestinian-Israeli relations, it is intriguing to note how relatively unaware many Americans are of the historical and religious framework from which much of the conflict derives. In addition, the perception of many Americans of current Palestinian-Israeli relations has been tainted by media portrayals and cultural misunderstandings of Middle Eastern culture, perhaps due to the lack of in-depth study. This curriculum unit examines 20th century Palestinian-Israeli issues from a wider historical and religious perspective so as to foster a greater understanding and appreciation for the conflict and culture beyond news flashes and stereotypes. The unit contains a series of six lessons, designed for secondary education classes, that introduce the main topics and factors that have contributed to the current situation. Objectives, a brief background, and suggested strategies are offered for each lesson. A glossary of useful terms and a 29-item list of suggested sources are also included. The six lessons include: (1) "Introduction to Palestinian-Israeli Relations"; (2) "Islam: Origins, Beliefs, and Practices"; (3) "Spread of the Islamic Empire"; (4) "Judaism: Origins and Early History"; (5) "Zionism, Anti-Semitism, and the Creation of Israel"; and (6) "The Day After and a Half-Century of Conflict." (BT)