Arab-Israeli War Dbq

The Arab-Israeli war occurred in 1948 when surrounding Arab nations invaded the recently established Israel. Prior to the war, a conflict of interest existed between Jews and Arabs, regarding ownership of the land of Palestine. The Jews, largely from outside the Middle East, wanted to establish a Jewish state of Israel, while the Arabs similarly wanted ownership. The British would make promises of support to both sides, before implementing controversial policies under the Mandate of Palestine, both of which intensified hostilities, while the Holocaust would amplify these factors. This essay argues that although the conflict was preexisting, and spurred by the Holocaust, British policies and actions were largely responsible for escalating the

In 1923, Mandatory Palestine was placed under jurisdiction of Britain, in violation of Arab independence, who were discontent and already held bitterness towards the British.10 They also maintained their promise in the Balfour Declaration, promoting Jewish immigration and land ownership.11 Arab opposition to the mandate led to intense struggles for power, and violent clashes ensued between Arabs and Jews under Britain, culminating in the Arab Revolt of 1936-9.12 The British used force to suppress the uprising, only giving way to more anger.13 Wanting to subdue Arab dissent, in an attempt at It limited Jewish immigration, restricted land ownership, and promised an Arab state of Palestine in the next 10 years, marking a change in British policy from pro-Jewish to being more pro-Arab.15 However, it did not quell goals of independence nor anti-British sentiment, as the British had underestimated the ease with which they could appease the Arabs, and included vague clauses so as not to give up control.16 Moreover, it met with outcry from the Jews, who previously cooperated with the British, and would now rebel as well.17 Facing Nations (UN), who would implement UN Resolution 181, partitioning the land into separate Jewish and Arab states.18 Though the Jews were satisfied, the

Jews acted upon a school of thought, Zionism, that emerged in the 1880s as a solution to their long history of persecution, entailing the establishment of a Jewish state in Israel.20 By creating this state, Jews would be able to overcome anti-Semitism that ran rampant and achieve acceptance, safety and self-government.21 Hence from the late 1800s Jews, who existed mainly in Europe where they were heavily oppressed, would move in increasing numbers to Palestine.22 Moreover, Palestine was chosen as it was their ancestral homeland, which they had A collective history of adversity was the primary motive for Zionism. And not historic connections, it served as a defence in which they based their claims to the land and instilled a sense of righteousness in the Jews.24 Based on Zionism, the Jews would move to Palestine and attempt to buy large tracts of land in order to take over the Arab population and attain a Jewish state.25 This would generate Arabic nationalist sentiment that would counter Zionism, beginning a conflict that would become the