The Birth of Israel

Jewish Immigration After the Second World War, refugees and displaced Jews from Europe began to attempt to emigrate to Palestine. British policy was to stop entry to Palestine. Refugees were stopped by British and sent to interment camps in Cyprus. The British detention camps would hold about 53,000 Jews from 1945 to the creation of Israel. Jewish immigrants would continue to immigrate to Palestine after the war despite the blockade.

Exodus In July 1947 a cargo ship christened Exodus left France with 4500 Jews heading for Palestine. Exodus was intercepted by the British navy it was forced to dock in Haifa. The British sent the ship back to Europe amid public outcry. This played into public support for the formation of a Jewish state in Palestine.

From Partition to Creation of Israel After the vote to partition on November 29, 1947 the Jewish and Arabs prepared for British withdrawal from Palestine. The Arabs organized themselves into the Arab league which was established in The Arab League however could not fully co-operate and organize because of distrust for one another.

Starting of hostilities Before the declaration of statehood by Israel the Jewish agency started to implement a strategy to secure vital areas of the Hebrew state. This strategy was know as Plan D. This plan would be viewed as a policy of ethnic cleansing by Arabs and Palestinians. The Arab League organized attacks on Jewish settlements during this time as well. PlanD.docx

Massacres before the declaration of Israel In April 1948 Irgun and zionist forces attacked the village of Deir Yassin. During this attack it is estimated that between civilians were massacred. In response to the Massacre at Deir Yassin Arabs attacked and killed 77 medical personnel who were part of a convoy.

The State of Israel is Declared On May in Tel Aviv David Ben Gurion declared that at midnight the state of Israel would come into existence. Ben Gurion became the first prime minister of Israel. Chaim Weizmann would become the first president. declaration of Israel.docx

Arab League and the new state of Israel Two weeks prior to the declaration of the state of Israel the Arab League met to plan the invasion of Israel. On May 15 Syria, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt declared war and invaded Israel.

Israel Arabs Was well organized and fighting for their survival Had a population of 750,000 Had 65,000 soldiers Had spent years preparing to defend themselves Were able to import materials and weaponry into territory Had a total population of around 40 million Fielded 30,000 soldiers Were distrustful of other arab countries Did not have adequate training for the war

The war The first part of the war began on May and ended June 11, 1948 with a truce between Israel, Jordan and Egypt. Within the month fighting would resume and the Israeli forces would defeat the Arabs. A peace agreement would be signed in February of By the end of the war Israel would come to control 80% of the original Palestinian mandate.

Al-Nakba (The Palestinian exodus from Israel) After the formation of Israel more then three quarters of a million Arabs fled Israeli controlled areas. This became known as Al-Nakba, meaning "day of the catastrophe". Al-Nakba is held on 15 may to commemorate the exodus of Palestinians from the area. Palestinians left intending to come back to their homes. They are still living as refugees in the Gaza strip, the west bank, and surrounding countries.

Attachments PlanD.docx declaration of Israel.docx