PALESTINE TO ISRAEL

Palestine in History Land between the Mediterranean and the Jordan River Historic homeland of the Hebrews, kingdoms of Israel and Judah in 1200 B.C. Romans disperse the population. A small Jewish community remains. Arabs conquer region in 600s.

Palestine in 1800s Not a distinct province of Ottoman empire – three administrative regions. Small population; some Jewish, mainly in Jerusalem. Most inhabitants of the region consider themselves simply as Arabs and Muslims.

ZIONISM Jews in nineteenth century Europe: liberated by Napoleon liberated by Napoleon Assimilated in Germany Assimilated in Germany Persecuted in Russian Empire Persecuted in Russian EmpireBACKDROP: Pogroms in Russia Dreyfuss Affair Dreyfuss Affair

Theodore Herzl Born in Budapest. First Zionist Congress Dreyfuss Affair shows him Jews can never be safe without their own country.

Dreyfuss Affair A Jewish captain in the French army convicted of spying on false information New evidence created a crisis in France over accusations of anti- Semitism

Where to locate? Potential sites: Uganda (offered by British) Palestine Palestine

Jerusalem Has a Jewish majority by 1900 Small city, about 60,000 people.

JEWISH NATIONAL FUND Collects funds from Jews worldwide for a Jewish homeland in Palestine. Starts making purchases early 1900s, mostly along Mediterranean coast.

OTTOMAN LAND LAWS In 1858, all land required to be registered by owners. Lots of fraud, other problems Peasants avoided registering to avoid taxes, other reasons Many parcels of land in title of large landowners who didn’t live there. Zionists buy up waste lands (swamps) as well as parcels from large landowners. Peasants are often evicted by former landowners, become bitter.

KIBBUTZIM First one started in Jewish communal settlements clustered together mainly for self- defense. Socialist-style living. Shared tasks, everyone defends it.

JEWISH SUCCESS Jewish agricultural settlements are hugely successful. But they only use Jewish labor. Jewish immigration increases throughout 1920s. Accelerates after Hitler comes to power. Arabs from region also drawn to Palestine because of thriving economy. The two communities are virtually equal in size.

BRITISH MANDATE British awarded mandate, or temporary control, over Palestine by League of Nations after World War I.

ARAB RESISTANCE Minor clashes as early as Arab leaders denounce Jewish settlers as colonists and warn of Jewish intentions to take over all of Palestine and push them out. Arab riots in Arab Revolt, Some Palestinians later join the Nazis.

BRITISH RESPONSE Restrictions on immigration and on land sales to Jews. Peel Commission (1937) recommendation of a future partition. Later rejected in McDonald White Paper (1940) after Arab objections.

AFTER THE HOLOCAUST British continue to restrict Jewish immigration to appease Arabs. Turn back ships carrying Holocaust survivors.

JEWISH EXTREMISTS Take on British Haganah (militia), Irgun, Stern Gang Irgun blows up King David Hotel in Jerusalem, full of British soldiers.

KING DAVID HOTEL BOMBING

BRITISH MANDATE ENDS PROBLEM TURNED OVER TO UNITED NATIONS.

U.N. Votes for Partition General Assembly Resolution # 181: (Nov. 29, 1947) Partition of Palestine (British mandate) –Jewish state –Arab state VOTE: –33 votes in favor –13 against –10 abstentions –1 absent

U.N. PARTITION PLAN

State of Israel Established May 14, 1948: –in Tel Aviv (5th of Iyar, 5708) (5th of Iyar, 5708)

ISRAEL ATTACKED May, 1948, by: –Egypt –Transjordan (Jordan: 1949) –Syria –Lebanon –Iraq –Palestinians

PALESTINIANS Approximately 800,000 Palestinian Arabs flee to neighboring countries: Jordan’s population becomes half- Palestinian. Many locate in refugee camps, remain there for generations, train to attack Israel. Rely on other Arab countries, esp. Egypt, to defeat Israel and help them regain their homes. Other Arabs remain in Israel.

The Cases Many Palestinian Arabs simply fled Many Arabs have refused to recognize Israel’s right to exist. Ongoing problems with terrorism, suicide bombing, attacks on Israeli civilians. The situation has de- stabilized countries throughout the Middle East. Some were forced from their homes Israel is a Jewish state; Arabs are considered second- class citizens and distrusted. Some Jewish extremists want to extend Israel’s boundaries to include the West Bank and Gaza.