The First Arab-Israeli War Week 4 The First Arab-Israeli War

Aims To learn about the history of the First Arab-Israeli War. To introduce the Palestinian refugee problem caused by the war. To examine the end of the war and its aftermath. To see how the war set the context for relations between Israel and its neighbours in the following decades. 2

Sir Alan Cunningham, the Last High Commissioner of Palestine [on the Arab States]: “these armies have neither the training, equipment nor reserves of ammunition... to maintain an army in the field far from their bases for any length of time, if at all.”

The Pan-Arab Invasion of Palestine/Israel, May-June 1948

The start of the war Arab armies from Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq, supported by troops from Saudi Arabia and Yemen, attacked Israel. While disunified the Arab attacking forces were a formidable threat. Israel’s army, which had numbered 4,500 at the time of the partition resolution six months earlier, exceeded 36,500. 26 % cent of Mandate Palestine was under Israel’s control. 6

The Jordanian attack on Jerusalem, 13-28 May 1948

The end of the first 4 weeks The 1st four-week contest was an Israeli victory. The Arabs had enjoyed major advantages, but failed to convert this into territorial gains. The Israelis had suffered many casualties. But they had contained the four pronged assault. And their army was far larger and better armed at the end of the four weeks than at the beginning. By early June, the Israelis had caused the Arabs sufficient casualties and shock to persuade them to shelve any thought of further advance. Politically, the Israelis enjoyed hesitant international support.

Israeli successes Operation Ben-Ami, was launched by the Haganah on 13th May. The first phase of this operation was the capture of Acre. A week later four villages east and north of Acre were captured. 9

The First Truce, 11 June 1948 The First Truce came into effect on 11 June, the result of weeks of shuttle diplomacy by Count Folke Bernadotte, the United Nations’ special mediator for Palestine. The Israelis used the first truce to grow in numbers and equipment. The Arab armies also grew during the truce, but mainly in numbers and little additional weaponry or ammunition reached the army in Palestine.

Israeli held areas at the end of the 10 day War

The Second Truce, 11 June 1948 The First Truce came into effect on 11 June, the result of diplomacy by Count Folke Bernadotte, the United Nations’ special mediator for Palestine. The Israelis used the first truce to grow in numbers and equipment. The Arab armies also grew during the truce, but mainly in numbers and little additional weaponry or ammunition reached the army in Palestine. During the truce, the Arabs and Bernadotte pressed Israel to agree to a return of all/some of the refugees. The Zionist leaders refused with some believing they should not be allowed to return after the war either.

Israel/Egypt Armistice Agreement 24 February, 1949

Israel/Lebanon Armistice Agreement 23 March, 1949

Israel/Jordan Armistice Agreement 3 April, 1949

Israel/Syria Armistice Agreement 20 July, 1949

Israel/Palestine, 1949 Armistice Lines 17

Conclusions Approximately twenty percent more of the former mandate became part of Israel than the UN partition plan allotted. The country once known as Palestine was now divided into three parts, each under separate political control. The State of Israel encompassed over 77 percent of the territory. Jordan occupied East Jerusalem and the hill country of central Palestine (the West Bank). Egypt took control of the coastal plain around the city of Gaza (the Gaza Strip). The Palestinian Arab state envisioned by the UN partition plan was never established. A refugee crisis resulted from the large numbers of displaced Palestinians.