IB History HL - Israel

Causes of the 1948 Israeli War of Independence

• UN Parition Plan caused outrage and riots in Arab world:

• Plan split Israel and Palestine into two separate states

• Needed ⅔ majority and got it (because surprisingly USSR and US both supported it)

• Jewish were able to capitalize on the sympathy for victims of the Holocaust

• Arabs believed that the state belonged to Palestine and Arabs

• Jewish movement prevailed- strong support and cohesion

• Transjordan's King Abdullah saw an opportunity to absorb Jerusalem and some parts of Palestine into his kingdom.

• Deir Yassin Massacre encouraged final decision of Arab states to intervene directly in Palestine

• Number of Arabs killed by Jewish paramilitarism

• Encouraged Palestinian refugees to flee the territory

• Arabs attacked and killed 77 medical personnel in a convoy as an act of revenge

• State of Israel was declared, causing forces from neighboring Arab states to invade

• Before declaration, Arab states had met and made decision to go to war in order to liberate Palestine and ‘drive the Jews into the sea’

• Jewish Agency’s Haganah’s Plan D (plan to occupy as much of Palestine as possible and expel population)

Effects of the 1948 Israeli War of Independence

• Defeat for Palestine: Palestinian Arabs exodus (al-Nakba)

• Military defeat divided the Arab league

• The UK, one of the last countries to recognize Israel, was seen as indecisive and weak. Zionism had won.

• Demographic shifts

• There was a Palestinain diaspora: citizens were left to escape violence.

• Palestinians claim that Israelis followed a conscious policy of expulsion

• Israel’s population of Jews increased (Aliyah), Jews fled to Israel to escape persecution from other countries. Because of the massive influx of Jewish immigrants from Europe and Arab countries, there was an additonal strain on resources which led to Israel facing significant economic challenges

•  Israel faced the challenge of needing to build infrastructure and establish government institutions from scratch. 

• Israel gained more territory than was initially allotted to it by UN Partition Plan, including parts of Jerusalem and the coastal plain.

  Role of the UN:

• The UN passed a resolution calling for the returns of refugees to their homes and compensation paid to those who chose not to return.

• UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) set up camps in neighboring Arab states to cope with refugees- still issue today

• Failure of Arab states to secure an independent Palestine had severe implications

• In Egypt, it helped Nasser overthrow the King

• Increased spread of pan-Arabism, fueling further tensions

• In Israel, government (Knesset) proposed laws to hinder the return of refugees who had migrated away from Israel

• Law of Return: confirmed the right of every Jew to settle in Israel, followed in 1952 by the Citizenship law which granted immediate citizenship to immigrants

• Eastern European Jews (formed the majority of the early settlers prior to independence) were known as Ashkenazim. Jews from Spain and Portugal known as Sephardim. Jews from Arab states (eg Yemen, Iran, Iraq, Morcco) known as Oriental Jews

• Blend of culutures did not always integrate smoothly

• Israel faced economic and political problems in early years

• Got aid from USA and Germnay to make up for Holocaust

• Israel policy of building settlements on occupied land meant many Palestinains could not return to original property

• Increasing pan-Arabism: pan-Arabism contributed to regional hostility towards Israel, as many Arab leaders and states view Israel as a colonial or foreign entity. Egypt attempts to unite and destroy.

Causes of the 1956 Suez Crisis

British and French Imperialism

• Suez Canal: crucial strategic asset for the British Empire since its opening in 1869. Provided vital link to British colonial interests in Asia and Africa. France also had colonial interests in the region, including its presence in North Africa→ thus nationalism of canal was perceived as a threat to imperial interests

• Declining influence: by 1950s both Britain and France were in decline, Suez crisis was an attempt by both to asset influence in the region and counter rising Arab nationalism. 

• Came up with tripartite invasion plan involving Israel, Britain, and France (was opposed by US and Soviet Union)

  Cold War Influence:

• Superpower rivalry: US and Soviet Union engaged in contest for global influence. Suez Canal was important to control.

• Eisenhower doctrine: aimed to provide aid to Middle Eastern countries threatened by communism. 

• Soviet Union offered support to Nasser because he was seen as a potential Soviet ally - anti colonial and independent foreign policy

  Israel seeking allies:

• Security concerns: Israel’s surrounding countries were attacking, Suez canal closing made it worse

• Ally with Britian and France to protect Suez Canal, helped plan preemptive attacks against Egypt

• Operation Kadesh: designed by France, Britain, Israel to remove Egyptian control and secure Israel shipping rights

  Growing pan-Arabism

• Nasser’s leadership: nationalization of Suez canal resonated with Arabs

• Anti-colonial sentiment

• Regional impact: resistance against military attacks strengthened Arab pride

Rise of Nasser + Pan-Arabism

• Leadership and vision: Gamal Abdul Nasser emerged as a prominent leader in the Arab world following his role in the 1952 Egyptian revolution

• Championed Pan-Arabism

• Nasser's nationalization of the Suez Canal in 1956 symbolized his resistance to Western imperialism and bolstered his stature as a leader of the pan-Arab movement

• Sought to position Egypt as a leader in the fight against colonial powers and for Arab solidarity

effects of suez crisis

• Britain and France’s prestige was in tatters: their plan had failed and they were condemned by the UN

• Israel and Arab tensions had deteriorated

• Israel, again, had beaten their Arab neighbors and then were forced to give back land. This was not overlooked by Israel’s leaders

causes of Six-Day War: 1967

Short term causes: 

• Closure of the Straits of Tiran by Nasser in May

• The withdrawal of the UN forces from the Sinai Peninsula removed a buffer and brought two sides into conflict

• Israel perceived itself as vulnerable and struck pre-emptively

Long term causes: 

• Actions of Nasser

• Situation left over from war of 1956

• Power politics of the Arab states (expand), bitterness and mistrust left over from Suez Crisis

• Cold War: US support for Israel, Soviet Union support for Arab states

Soviet Union provided substantial aid to Arab states, especially Egypy and Syria in order to counter US influence in the Middle East.

American assistance gave Israel confidence that they would be helped defend themselves

Soviet intelligence reportedly provided false information to Egypt, claiming that Israel was massing troops along the Syrian border and preparing to attack. This misinformation fueled Arab fears of an imminent Israeli offensive and contributed to Egypt’s decision to escalate tensions by closing the Straits of Tiran to Israeli shipping and moving Egyptian forces into the Sinai Peninsula. Led to Israel’s preemptive strike

• Coalition of Arab states: Egypt, Jordan, and Syria were aliigned- creating a unified Arab front and making Israel feel encircled and threatened

• Unresolved territorial disputes: 1949 armistice agreement did not address territorial disputes (Gaza Strip, West Bank, Golan Heights)

• Rise of Arab nationalism

• Nasser championed idea of pan-Arab unity and resistance to Western influence and Israeli existence

• Palestinian refugee crisis: 1948 war and creation of Israel led to displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians. Plight of refugees was used by Arab states to justify hostilities against Israel.

Brinkmanship: to push an opponent into a dangerous situation or confrontation to force a desired outcome. This policy was used in the buildup to the six day war, with each side risking conflict hoping that the other side would back down. Nasser used brinkmanship when closing the Straits of Tiran and demanding UN forces move out of the Sinai Peninsula. 

Effects of 6 day war

• Israeli victory: With casualties of less than 1000 dead, the state of Israel had tripled in size and found herself the strongest military power in the Middle East.

• In Egypt, Nasser resigned, but was swept back into office by popular demand, however his leadership of the Arab cause had been severely damaged. 

• The humiliation of 1967 provoked more domestic discontent at home for Arab regimes, with criticism of weak leaders, a decline in pan-Arabism, and the rise of fundamnetalist Palestinain and Islamic nationalism

• War created another mass of Palestinain refugees, the magnitude of Israel’s victory did not encourage concessions on the part of the Israelis. Weakness of Arabs fostered resentment. 

• International: Soviet Union prestige damaged as their allies had been beaten, Israel was confirmed as a major ally for the US in the region.

• Creation of Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) led by Arafat

• Territorial gains:

• Israel gained West Bank, Gaza Strip, Golan Heights, Sinai Peninsula

• Rise in tensions: the war deepened the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with long-term issues surrounding occupation and displaced populations

• Shifts in regional power

• Israel’s swift victory shifted the balance of power in middle East, leading to new alliances and increased hostility from Neighboring Arab States

• Arab response (1967): 

• Three No’s policy: The Khartoum Resolution of 1967 declared no peace with Israel, no recognition of Israel, and no negotiations with israel, solidifying Arab rejection of Israel’s post six-day war territorial gains

• Unified Arab stance: the resolutions represented a collective Arab stance by Arab states to continue opposition to Israel

• International response- UN Resolution 242 (1967):

• Land for Peace: called for Israel’s withdrawal from territories occupied in the Six-Day war in exchange for recognition and peace with Arab states

• Foundation for peace talks: the resolution emphasized principles of territorial integrity and soveriegnity, becoming a key framework for future Arab-Israeli peace negotitations

Temple Mount: holiest site in Judaism, third holiest in Islam, located in Jerusalem, tensions

actions of Nasser significant in causing the Suez Crisis and 6 day war

Suez Crisis:

1) Nationalization of Suez Canal: The canal was a critical waterway for global trade, mainly controlled by Suez Canal Company (primarily made of British and French shareholders) (B+F had control)

Took control to fund Aswan Dam project & oppose Western colonialism + boost status as leader of non-Aligned movement

B+F saw this as a threat to their global standing and also their economic interests

2) Ties with Soviet Union: Nasser accepted Soviet weaponry (1955) to defend Egypt + joined non-Aligned movement, which threatened powers like US especially during time of Cold War: also displayed readiness for war

Six Day War:

1) Demanded UN forces leave Sinai Peninsula, which removed the buffer between Egypt and Israel, forcing the two countries to come into conflict

2) Sent Egyptian troops into Sinai Peninsula, positioning them near Israel’s border which was perceived as a direct threat

3) Closed Straits of Tiran to Israeli shipping which convinced Israel that Egypt was prepared for conflict and led to preemptive strike

4) Championed Pan-Arabism, spreading this ideology to Arab states and increasing tensions

5) Formed military pacts with other Arab countries such as Jordan and Syria, leading to Israel feeling encircled and threatened and influencing its decision for a preemptive strike

Nasser used brinkmanship to push Israel into a dangerous situation and risk conflict, hoping that Israel would yield, which ultimately backfired.

why actions of nasser were less significant in causing the suez crisis and 6 day war

Although the actions of Nasser were significant, there were other causes that are not to be overlooked in causing the Six Day War and Suez Crisis. Suez Crisis: 1) It was the decision of the West to send Israel into war with Egypt, which worsened tensions between Arabs and Israelis.  2) B+F’s desire to maintain global status and influence heightened their fears about losing access to Suez Canal 3) US+UK withdrew aid for Aswan Dam project, leading Nasser to look for funds elsewhere Six Day War: 1) Cold War- US support for Israel, Soviet Union support for Arab states. Soviet Union provided substantial aid to Arab states especially Egypt and Syria in order to counter US influence in the Middle East, led to military buildup which heightened tensions with Israel. Eisenhower Doctrine was designed to contain the spread of communism in the Middle East by providing aid to defend countries against communist aggression. American assistance gave Israel confidence that they would be able to defend themselves Soviet Intelligence reportedly provided false information to Egypt, claiming that Israel was massing troops along the Syrian border and preparing to attack. This fueled fears of an imminent Israeli offensive and contributed to Egypt’s decision to escalate tensions by closing Straits of Tirran to Israeli shipping and moving forces into the Sinai peninsula, in turn fueling tensions with Israel and informing their preemptive strike. 2) Bitterness and mistrust was left over from Suez Crisis of 1956 3) Unresolved territorial disputes: 1949 Armistice agreement did not address territorial disputes of Gaza Strip, West Bank, Golan Heights 4) Palestinian refugee crisis: 1948 war and creation of Israel led to displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians. Plight of refugees was used by Arab states to justify hostilities against Israel.

territorial disputes were significant in Arab-Israeli conflicts how?

1948: 

1) UN Partition Plan

2) Pan-Arabism

3) Zionism

Six Day War:

1) Israel v Jordan dispute over West Bank and Jerusalem

2) Israel v Syria dispute over Golan Heights

3) Israel v Egypt dispute over Gaza Strip

4) Pan-Arabism

territorial disputes were less significant in Arab-Israeli conflicts how?

1948: 

1) deir yassin massacre (arabs killed by jewish paramilitary- led to arab states decison to intervene directly in palestine)

2) holocaust

3) zionism and vs arab pride

Six day war:

1) cold war influence

2) actions of nasser

3) soviet misinformation

4) coalition of arab states