The War of 1948-1949

1948

May 15 - June 10

Phase 1 of fighting

• Egyptian army of 10,000 cross the border and attack isolated Jewish settlements 

• Less experienced forces of Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon are forced to retreat in the north, after being attacked by Jewish settlers

• Arab Legion defend the Old City (eastern Jerusalem)

• The Arab inhabitants of west Jerusalem were forced out as Israel gained occupation

1948

June

1st Truce

• Jordan and Lebanon open to negotiation, but Egypt, Syria, and Iraq refused 

• Israel took the time during the ceasefire to replenish their supplies and re-organise their troops

• Britain had been funding Egypt Jordan and Iraq but no longer wanted to disobey the UN embargo

1948

July 9-18

Phase 2 of fighting

• Egypt broke the ceasefire 

• The Arab Legion remained in control of east Jerusalem

• Israel gained control of the Galilee region, including land that had been allocated to Palestine

1948

September

2nd Truce

• Proposed peace plan failed after Swiss proposer was assassinated by Stern Gang

• Members of the Stern Gang and Irgun were incorporated into the IDF, or disbanded

1948-1949

October 15-January 7

Phase 3 of fighting

• Israel broke the truce 

• Israel defeated Egypt in the south and pursued them over the border into Egypt, but were pressured by USA to withdraw 

  • They remained in Negev until the final ceasefire was arranged. 

Outcome for Israel

• Lost 6,000 lives (1% of the 650,000 Israeli population) 

• Controlled 79% of the Palestinian area

  • Rather than the 55% they were allocated by the UN 

Outcomes for Palestinians

• 700,000 Palestinians had become refugees

  • Most were driven to Gaza and the West Bank

Outcomes for Egypt

• Confirmed pre-war borders

• Gaza came under Egyptian military rule 

Outcomes for Jordan

• The West Bank and east Jerusalem would be governed as part of Jordan

Outcomes for Syria

• Disputed areas in the north of Israel were demilitarised on both sides

1948

May 14

• British forces withdraw from Palestine 

• Israel proclaimed a country by UN and David Ben-Gurion 

1948

May 15

Invasion of Israel by…

• Lebanon

• Syria

• Iraq

• Transjordan

• Egypt

Zionist interpretation of Israel’s win

• Israel was David fighting Goliath 

• They were a tiny newly established country being invaded by five huge Arab countries

• Israel had fewer weapons, soldiers, and was poorly equipped

Revisionist interpretation of Israel’s win

• Israel had built up their army rapidly to nearly 100,000 soldiers by December 1948

  • This equaled them to the combined Arab forces 

• Israel focused on organising themselves during the 1st truce, and increased their weaponry incredibly 

• 25,000 were trained by British forces, whereas only 10,000 of the Arab Legion had military training and experience

Jordan’s aims

• Wanted to attach Palestine onto Jordan 

• Led Jewish leaders to believe they wouldn’t invade Israel newly-established 

• Jordan aimed to gain control of the Palestinian-Arab territory, rather than prevent Israel from expanding and establishing 

Why did Palestinians argue they have a ‘right to return’ to their lands?

• They did not leave voluntarily

• Israel were deliberately expelling them to have an ‘Israel without Arabs’

  • They were expelled through violence and intimidation

Why did Israelis argue that Palestinians didn’t have a ‘right to return’?

• The invading Arab countries were the ones to blame as they attacked first

• Palestinians were not forced to leave

  • They were told to leave by Arab leaders

• They were a security threat to Israel if they remained inside

Why wouldn’t Arab countries provide citizenships for Palestinian refugees?

So that Palestinians could retain their ‘right to return’

• However this made it very difficult for Palestinians to travel or get jobs

• Jordan ignored this completely and offered citizenships to all

What was created after the war?

The Israeli Defence Force

Who were absorbed into the IDF?

The Haganah and Irgun (Israeli terrorist groups)

Characteristics of the IDF

• Small core of professional soldiers

• From 1949, All 18 year olds had to serve 30 months (18 for females)

• All ex-conscripts became reserve forces and had to maintain military training for a month every year until they were 55

What was the Law of Return?

The law that any Jew in the world had to the right to come to Israel and become an Israeli citizen

How did Israeli create unity between so many diverse backgrounds?

• Emphasis on religion - being Jewish was the one thing they all had in common

  • Religious leaders were given a high profile

  • Jewish history was taught and emphasised

• Students were all taught in Hebrew

• Communal farms were established

• The IDF gave all a united purpose and common goal

What saved Israel from economic ruin?

The reparations agreement signed with Germany in 1952

What was boycotted by the Arab League?

All trade with Israel, and any foreign company trading with Israel

What was the Arab League?

An organisation of Arab countries established in 1945 which promoted closer relations within Arab countries

Who were the 6 original members of the Arab League?

• Lebanon

• Syria

• Iraq

• Transjordan

• Egypt

• Saudi Arabia

How did Egypt use the Suez Canal to punish Israel?

They searched all ships and confiscated anything they thought was purchased at an Israeli port, or might be used for the IDF

What didn’t Egypt stop in Gaza post 1949?

Fedayeen raids

Define UNRWA

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency

What was the UNRWA?

Set up for Palestinian refugees to provide basic food, shelter, water, sanitation, health centres, and education

Where did Israel gain their fresh supplies and weapons from, during the 1st truce of the 1948 war?

Eastern-Europe

• Mainly Czechoslovakia

Why was there no peace treaty at the end of the 1948 war?

• The Arab countries were divided on whether to let Israel keep their won lands

• The Arab countries were insistent on Israel dealing with the Palestinian refugees

• Israel were prepared, and would rather have a perpetual war, rather than accept and compensate the Palestinians