Creation of Israel

Question 1

Outline promises made to Jews and Arabs by the British

Answer 1

Balfour Declaration:
- Gave in-principle support for the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine
- Britain declared in the hope that Jewish Americans would support USA joining WWI against Germany

Question 2

Reasons for Partition of Palestine

Answer 2

• Events of Holocaust + allied nations X wanting mass amounts of Jewish refugees
• Recommended dividing Palestine 50/50 into Jewish + Arab states with international zone around Jerusalem
  → increased support for est. of Jewish statement as Jews were trying to move to Palestine

Question 3

Details of UNGA Resolution 181

Answer 3

Nov 29th 1947: UNGA Resolution 181
→ partition plan adopted
- 33 nations supported, 13 opposed
- Arab states X accepting of vote
→ walked out of UNGA (w/India +Pakistan)
May 15th 1948: British mandate officially ended
- Same day = Israels declaration of independence → used UN resolution 181 as justif. to claim land

Question 4

Consequences of UNGA Resolution 181

Answer 4

→ 1st Arab-Israeli war = Egypt, Syria, Jordan + Iraq declared war + invaded Palestine
→ heavily enforced Israeli army counterattacked → push back of Arab forces

Question 5

Consequences of the 1st Arab-Israeli war

Answer 5

Feb - June 1949: Arab nations signed armistices with Israel h/w X recognize it as state or sign peace treaties
- Israel now controlled 77% of British Mandate of Palestine + Western Jerusalem
- West Bank + East Jerusalem → incorp. into Jordan
- Small land strip on coat (Gaza Strip) → incorp. into Egypt