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- The creation of Israel, 1948 to 49, and the Suez Crisis of 1956
The creation of Israel, 1948 to 49, and the Suez Crisis of 1956
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In 1948 the state of Israel was created, and war followed immediately. Eight years later, the Suez Crisis drew in Britain, France and the superpowers.
Partition and war
Jewish leaders accepted; Arab leaders rejected it.
Israel declared independence on 14 May 1948. Neighbouring Arab states invaded: the First Arab-Israeli War.
Israel survived and gained more land than the plan proposed.
Refugees
Israel's Law of Return (1950) gave Jewish people anywhere the right to settle in Israel.
The Suez Crisis, 1956
Israel, Britain and France secretly planned an attack: Israel invaded Sinai, then British and French troops landed.
The USA and USSR both opposed it; under US financial pressure, Britain and France withdrew. Nasser became a hero in the Arab world.
Why was the Suez Crisis a humiliation for Britain and France?
- They attacked Egypt to regain the canal.
- The USA and USSR both opposed them.
- US financial pressure forced them to withdraw, showing they were no longer great powers.
Answer: They were forced to withdraw by superpower pressure, showing their decline.
UN partition plan (1947); Israel declared on 14 May 1948; the First Arab-Israeli War followed. About 700,000 Palestinians became refugees; the Law of Return (1950). Suez (1956): Nasser nationalised the canal; Israel, Britain and France attacked; US and Soviet pressure forced withdrawal.
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