1948: Israel’s Battle for Independence

Three years after the Holocaust and the devastating loss of six million Jews, Jewish refugees were desperately trying to immigrate to Israel. However, then British-mandated Palestine had extreme limits on Jewish immigration.

Head of the Jewish Agency, David Ben-Gurion attempted to work with the British to appeal this policy. Though unsuccessful in this approach, the 1947 UN-created resolution 181, which called for a partitioned two-state solution, changed everything.

Rejecting the resolution, Arabs rioted throughout the country. Battles broke out between Jews and Arabs and several thousand lives were lost. In the aftermath, the British withdrew from the country on May 15th 1948. 

Later that day, David Ben-Gurion declared the establishment of the State of Israel leading the surrounding Arab countries to attack Israel on all sides. 

Against all odds, the Jews held onto their land and Israel’s war for independence ended with the UN officially recognizing the State of Israel, the Jewish homeland.

Big Ideas

1. Defending Israeli statehood in the War of Independence came at a high and difficult cost.
2. The War of Independence is seen as a great catastrophe, or Nakba, for Palestinians, resulting in 700,000 people fleeing from their homes or being expelled.
3. Winning the War of Independence allowed Israel to create a new, modern army, accept Jewish refugees from around the world, and begin to work on developing the state.

Essential Questions

1. What were the different consequences of the War of Independence for Jewish Israelis and Palestinians living in the land?
2. Can the outcome of a war be considered a victory if it comes at a high number of casualties? 
3. What are the necessary steps a country needs to take in order to build its state?