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The birth of the state of Israel, 1945 to 63
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Britain's withdrawal from Palestine led to the creation of Israel and war with its Arab neighbours. Tension grew under Egypt's leader, Nasser.
The end of the British Mandate
Britain ruled Palestine under a mandate. After 1945 Jews, many Holocaust survivors, wanted a Jewish state, while Arabs opposed this and wanted Palestine for its Arab majority.
Jewish groups attacked the British. In 1946 the Irgun bombed the King David Hotel, Britain's headquarters in Jerusalem, killing 91 people.
Britain handed the problem to the UN. UN Resolution 181 (1947) proposed partition into Jewish and Arab states. Jewish leaders accepted; Arab leaders rejected it.
Israel declared independence on 14 May 1948.
Jewish groups attacked the British. In 1946 the Irgun bombed the King David Hotel, Britain's headquarters in Jerusalem, killing 91 people.
Britain handed the problem to the UN. UN Resolution 181 (1947) proposed partition into Jewish and Arab states. Jewish leaders accepted; Arab leaders rejected it.
Israel declared independence on 14 May 1948.
War and aftermath
Neighbouring Arab states, including Egypt, Jordan and Syria, attacked. Israel won the 1948 to 49 war and ended up with more land than the UN plan.
Jordan held the West Bank and Egypt the Gaza Strip. Around 700,000 Palestinian Arabs became refugees.
Israel created the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) and passed the Law of Return (1950), letting Jews from anywhere settle in Israel. The USA gave Israel aid.
Jordan held the West Bank and Egypt the Gaza Strip. Around 700,000 Palestinian Arabs became refugees.
Israel created the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) and passed the Law of Return (1950), letting Jews from anywhere settle in Israel. The USA gave Israel aid.
Nasser and Suez
Gamal Abdel Nasser became Egypt's leader in the 1950s and championed Arab nationalism.
In 1955 Israel raided Gaza after attacks from there. Egypt then bought arms from the communist bloc.
In 1956 Nasser nationalised the Suez Canal. Israel, Britain and France secretly planned an attack: Israel invaded Sinai and British and French troops landed. US pressure forced them to withdraw.
Nasser emerged as a hero. Egypt and Syria formed the United Arab Republic (1958).
In 1955 Israel raided Gaza after attacks from there. Egypt then bought arms from the communist bloc.
In 1956 Nasser nationalised the Suez Canal. Israel, Britain and France secretly planned an attack: Israel invaded Sinai and British and French troops landed. US pressure forced them to withdraw.
Nasser emerged as a hero. Egypt and Syria formed the United Arab Republic (1958).
Explain one consequence of the Suez Crisis (1956).
- Britain and France were forced to withdraw under US pressure.
- Nasser was seen as having stood up to the old colonial powers.
- This boosted his leadership of the Arab world, shown by the United Arab Republic in 1958.
Answer: Nasser's prestige rose and he became leader of the Arab world.
Mandate; King David Hotel 1946; UN Resolution 181 (1947) partition; Israel 14 May 1948; war 1948 to 49; about 700,000 Palestinian refugees. IDF, Law of Return, US aid. Nasser; Gaza raid 1955; Suez 1956; UAR 1958.
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