Created by Mr. C Wright, Dulwich College Shanghai Why did Israel win the war of ? To examine the different causes of the Jewish victory in 48/49. To reach a view on how the Jews were able to defeat the Arab forces and secure the state of Israel

What’s in a name? The War of Independence? Al Nakba - ‘the catastrophe’? The 1948 Arab-Israeli War?

The situation David Ben Gurion, leader of the Zionist has declared the ‘State of Israel’ on 14th May 1948 There had been open conflict between the Jewish forces and the Palestinian Arabs for some time before this point as both attempted to ‘grab’ as much land as possible. The Jews had been successful in breaking a siege of Jerusalem. However the formal declaration of the state of Israel was the cue for the intervention of its Arab neighbours.

Enter the Arab states.. Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq all launched an attack almost immediately after the declaration of the state of Israel by Ben- Gurion. At first they made significant gains. There was a UN truce for 28 days in June 1948 This gave valuable breathing time for the Israeli’s, who were able to rearm with massive new shipments from Czechoslovakia: authorised by none other than… Yes me again! Why might the USSR be getting involved?

The tide turns… A newly equipped Israeli force, boosted by new soldiers ( immigrants were arriving a month by this stage), was able to go on the offensive. There was a 2nd UN truce from 18th July- 15th October The Israeli’s broke the truce, went back on the offensive and pushed the Arab armies back. The Arab countries had no choice but to agree ceasefires

Al Nakba! The Palestinians had started the war confident that the might of the combined Arab world would crush the resistance of the Jewish settlers Instead over 700,000 Palestinians had fled/been forced out of Israel and became refugees mainly in the Gaza Strip and West Bank Israel had created a state that was 50% larger than the UN plan had given it!

Why did Israel win? Using the sources your group has been given try and identify at least 10 different reasons. Write each reason on a piece of card and see if your group can organise them by a)Jewish strengths/Arab weaknesses b)Order of significance to Israel’s victory

So why did they win?

Impact of the 1948/49 war Initial thoughts: what were the immediate impacts of the war?

Impacts Israel has been confirmed, and is (temporarily) secure. 750,000 Palestinian refugees Superpower involvement confirmed Arab humiliation - leading to overthrow of Egyptian government and long term resentment/anger Israel has gained a far larger country than it had originally been given by the partition plans Jordan takes control of the West Bank & East Jerusalem, Egypt takes the Gaza strip Peace or simply the foundations for future conflict? Israel’s Arab neighbours refuse to accept Israel’s right to exist