Arab-Israeli conflict

Introduction The land known as Palestine had, by 1947, seen considerable immigration of Jewish peoples fleeing persecution. Zionist Jews were particularly in favour of getting Palestine as a new Jewish homeland.The land known as Palestine had, by 1947, seen considerable immigration of Jewish peoples fleeing persecution. Zionist Jews were particularly in favour of getting Palestine as a new Jewish homeland. The local Palestinian population of Muslim Arabs felt that the influx of newcomers was threatening their way of life.The local Palestinian population of Muslim Arabs felt that the influx of newcomers was threatening their way of life. Clashes between the Arabic and Jewish populations had been frequent and bloody.Clashes between the Arabic and Jewish populations had been frequent and bloody. The British rulers of Palestine decided on a repression of the Arabic people to keep the peace. By 1947 this had achieved an unhappy calm between all three groups.The British rulers of Palestine decided on a repression of the Arabic people to keep the peace. By 1947 this had achieved an unhappy calm between all three groups.

May ? The United Nations Partition Plan (1947) had decided that partition was the best way to stop the fighting in Palestine. The Jews were to get c.55% of the land, and the Arabs, 45%.The United Nations Partition Plan (1947) had decided that partition was the best way to stop the fighting in Palestine. The Jews were to get c.55% of the land, and the Arabs, 45%. Naturally, the Palestinian Arabs rejected it.Naturally, the Palestinian Arabs rejected it. All sides knew, however, that the British rule was coming to an end. Their ‘Mandate’ (permission) to rule only lasted until May 15, 1948.All sides knew, however, that the British rule was coming to an end. Their ‘Mandate’ (permission) to rule only lasted until May 15, 1948.

May 14, 1948-Israeli Independence Day. The Arabic Palestinians moved first. There was a wave of anti-Jewish protests, Jewish shops were looted, and Jewish people attacked.The Arabic Palestinians moved first. There was a wave of anti-Jewish protests, Jewish shops were looted, and Jewish people attacked. The Jewish provisional government decided that they had to act independently. They felt that they had to act for themselves- and not wait for the British to leave.The Jewish provisional government decided that they had to act independently. They felt that they had to act for themselves- and not wait for the British to leave. May 14, 1948 The Prime Minister Ben Gurion declared the Independence of Israel, only one day before the end of the mandate, and in a climate of fear and violence.May 14, 1948 The Prime Minister Ben Gurion declared the Independence of Israel, only one day before the end of the mandate, and in a climate of fear and violence.

David Ben Gurion Prime Minister of Israel , and Prime Minister of Israel , and Born in Poland. He left in 1906 because of pogroms.Born in Poland. He left in 1906 because of pogroms. Joined the British army in 1918 and got military experience.Joined the British army in 1918 and got military experience. Ardent Zionist but not an extremist. Refused terrorism as a political tool.Ardent Zionist but not an extremist. Refused terrorism as a political tool. Urged Jews to form military self- defence force (Haganah).Urged Jews to form military self- defence force (Haganah). Declared Israeli independence despite Jewish opposition!Declared Israeli independence despite Jewish opposition! (Passed 6-4) Credited with unifying all Jewish forces into one IDF (Israeli defence force)Credited with unifying all Jewish forces into one IDF (Israeli defence force)

Israel’s Independence May 14, 1948 Israel was quickly recognised by the USA and Russia. They were powerful, and rich, friends.

Israeli War of Independence Arab League countries declared war on the new Israel immediately. Egypt, Iraq, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon all planned invasions. Arab League countries declared war on the new Israel immediately. Egypt, Iraq, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon all planned invasions. The idea was to crush Israel before it could become established.The idea was to crush Israel before it could become established.

1948 Arab Invasion plans of Israel ( in red.) From Lebanon and Syria From Transjordan and Iraq From Egypt

The war itself It was a disaster for the Arabic nations. The Israeli forces were far stronger than any of them expected.It was a disaster for the Arabic nations. The Israeli forces were far stronger than any of them expected. Many Jews had fought in World War II and they had reasonable weaponry-mostly also from World war II.Many Jews had fought in World War II and they had reasonable weaponry-mostly also from World war II. The Jewish army also greatly increased in size, whereas the Arab forces grew only slowly..The Jewish army also greatly increased in size, whereas the Arab forces grew only slowly..

Army sizes Israeli Forces 1948Israeli Forces 1948 Initial Strength: 29,000Initial Strength: 29,000 October: 92,275October: 92,275 January: 108,300January: 108,300 Arab forces 1948 July: 40,000 July: 40,000 October: 55,000 October: 55,000 January: 60,000 January: 60,000

The Avia S-199 Israel’s first fighter plane. World War II experts may recognise it- it is, ironically, the old German Messerschmitt BF 109 which was now used by Israel to fight it’s old enemy the Spitfire- now being flown by the Egyptians. Israel also managed to buy some Spitfires too!

Israeli children today still make models of their nation’s first plane.

Old military equipment. This gun was pre-World War One vintage.

Arab soldiers firing on an Israeli settlement

Results of the war Only the Jordanians and the Egyptians made any real gains. The Jordanians grabbed East Jerusalem and the ‘West Bank’ land. The Egyptians gained a strip of coast-line called the ‘Gaza strip’.Only the Jordanians and the Egyptians made any real gains. The Jordanians grabbed East Jerusalem and the ‘West Bank’ land. The Egyptians gained a strip of coast-line called the ‘Gaza strip’. Elsewhere the Arabic forces were all pushed back.Elsewhere the Arabic forces were all pushed back the United Nations declared a cease-fire on the ‘Green Line’.1949 the United Nations declared a cease-fire on the ‘Green Line’. Israel signed armistice agreements with all the Arab states.Israel signed armistice agreements with all the Arab states. Israel had expanded by another 25%!Israel had expanded by another 25%!

‘West Bank’-Jordanian Gaza Strip-Egyptian Israel

Nakba ‘disaster’ Up to ¾ of a million Arab Palestinians lost their homes in the war and fled South or East.Up to ¾ of a million Arab Palestinians lost their homes in the war and fled South or East. Massive refugee camps sprang up and conditions were horrific.Massive refugee camps sprang up and conditions were horrific. These camps proved ideal places for Arab resistance movements to begin recruiting members.These camps proved ideal places for Arab resistance movements to begin recruiting members.

Palestinian Arab refugees The seeds of years of future discontent ?

More refugees… Meanwhile Jewish people fled in the into Israel, Europe, or even to the USA.Meanwhile Jewish people fled in the into Israel, Europe, or even to the USA. Israel’s population doubled as Arabic states all expelled their Jewish population.Israel’s population doubled as Arabic states all expelled their Jewish population.

Point of principal For now, Israel had won her right to exist.For now, Israel had won her right to exist. The Arab league had to think again before challenging this right.The Arab league had to think again before challenging this right. Palestinians who had lost homes were a strong voice of protest against the new Israeli state.Palestinians who had lost homes were a strong voice of protest against the new Israeli state. Ben Gurion was a national hero.Ben Gurion was a national hero.