First Arab-Israeli War (1948-49)

• First Arab-Israeli War ('48-49), First Phase

  • Upon Israeli state establishment
  • Arab armies from neighbours (Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Transjordan, and Egypt) invaded
  • With many who fled Palestine ‘47–8
  • ‘War of Independence' in Israel
  • Focus old city (Jerusalem)
  • Jewish significance
  • Zionist interpretation: Tiny Israel against huge Arab Coalition
  • Israel:
  • Didn’t defeat Arab legion
  • Gained control of West Jerusalem
  • Ceasefire agreed June ‘48
  • Israel built up weapons/forces; got access to European equipment (better arms rest war)
• Second Phase

  • Israelis keen to take over Arab lands and secure route to Galile
  • Successful, increased south land
  • Israel had 35,000 soldiers at start, by Dec ‘48 it was ~100,000, total Arab troops was similar at start, but built slower
  • New UN peace plan introduced
  • Stern Gang assassinated representative
  • Israel disbanded them and Irgun, incorporated into Israeli defence force (IDF)
• Third Phase

  • Israelis drove Egypt out Negev Desert
  • Final ceasefire finally agreed on, Jan ‘49
  • Israel was 50% larger than UN Plan, had North and South lands, plus west Jerusalem
  • Egypt occupied Gaza, and Jordan West Bank
  • “Palestine” wasn’t Palestinian State
  • 700,000 refugees in Gaza, West Bank and nearby Arab countries
  • Adding to 300,000 fled in civil war (Nakba = ‘48-9 expulsions)
• Armies

  • 25,000 Israelis fought in British army WWII
  • Gained valuable training, organisation and technology
  • Unified
  • Saw force necessary to make their state
  • Only well-trained and disciplined Arab arm was 10,000 Arab Legion
  • Ran by Jordan (partially financed by Brit and led by Brit officers)
  • Arab's had disunity (Egypt and Syria deeply suspicious of Abdullah)
  • Plan began April only
  • Goals differed (many after Palestinian territory)
  • Palestinians never recovered from rebellion loss
  • Had no high-level institutes
  • Arab high committee leaders argued for own interests, ineffective
• Jordan

  • Led by King Abdullah
  • Secret meetings with Jews, thought Arab state wouldn’t survive and wanted it for him (some Brit support)
  • Said wouldn't invade Jew territory, no actual agreements
  • Jordan advanced to defend Old City (east Jerusalem) against Israel and held through war
  • Did little to stop seize of west Jerusalem or invade
  • Neutral as Israel fought Egypt (no support in 2nd and 3rd stages)