The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict #22: Rising from Ashes: Post-World War II Existence

Compromise Tracker: Attempt #2 + #3: Even the British Reject the Recommendations??

In late January 1946, the British established the "Anglo-American Commission" to investigate the Land of Israel, comprising six Britons and six Americans. All parties, including the British, rejected the commission's recommendations. Another unsuccessful British attempt occurred between late 1946 and early 1947. At the start of 1946, the British estimated the country's population to be around 1,750,000: approximately 1,000,000 Muslims, over 550,000 Jews, and about 135,000 Christians.

Farewell from the British Empire: We've Done Our Part, Now Stand on Your Own

During the 31 years of the British mandate, the Jewish community worked hard to establish institutions for self-governance and develop an independent economy less reliant on British rule. Zionist leaders raised funds, bought land, established educational institutions, and developed agriculture and local industries. In contrast, the Arab community, with a less innovative approach, continued to depend on British rule without fostering independence. Under Ottoman rule, Arab culture was monarchical, emphasizing public servitude to the king and discouraging intellectual independence in all aspects of life. Throughout the mandate period, Arab leaders relied on Article 22 of the League of Nations Charter, claiming Britain's obligation to provide them assistance and financial support until the establishment of an Arab state in Palestine. Ultimately, the Arab leaders sought an open-ended financial commitment, maintaining this claim to date as a basis for financial demands, emphasizing a systematic engine for extorting money effectively from the European Empires and later from the European Union.?

The lack of security in the country led to calls within the British Empire for all disputes to be transferred to the United Nations for resolution. Many in the British Empire felt their country should focus on internal affairs and relinquish overseas colonies that consumed economic resources without significant benefits. Faced with conflicting demands from Jews and Arabs regarding the land's fate, the British decided to transfer the decision to the United Nations.

The Partition Plan for the Land of Israel

As the mandate approached its end, the United Nations, successor to the League of Nations, sought to address escalating ethnic tensions between Jewish and Arab residents. The UN appointed the UNSCOP committee (United Nations Special Commission on Palestine) on the Land of Israel to explore solutions, considering the Peel Commission's division principle and the establishment of a binational federal state. Most committee members supported the partition plan, which the UN adopted for implementation at the end of the mandate.

Compromise Tracker: Attempt #4 - Jews: Accept, Arabs: Rejects?

The UN partition plan was accepted by a majority of votes in the United Nations General Assembly on November 29, 1947, officially becoming "Resolution No. 181 of the UN General Assembly." This partition proposal, the last in a series from British commissions of inquiry into the Land of Israel, outlined a clear date for the establishment of a Jewish state and provided international legitimacy for the immigration of Jewish refugees to the Land of Israel.

The acceptance of the partition plan at the UN General Assembly is a crucial event in the history of Zionism. Approved by the Jewish Agency, acting as the de facto government of the settlement, it was rejected by the Arab leadership in the Land of Israel. This acceptance set the stage for the end of the British mandate and the establishment of the State of Israel. Resolution 181 is referenced in the Declaration of Independence, stating that "this recognition by the United Nations of the right of the Jewish people to establish their own state cannot be expropriated."

The partition plan divided Mandatory Palestine into a Jewish state, comprising around 55% of the territory, and an Arab state, comprising around 45%. Additionally, an area including Jerusalem and Bethlehem was designated as neutral and demilitarized territory under UN auspices. The assigned territories for the new states were fragmented, with planned "corridors" in the north and south connecting the strips of territory. The intended Arab state had better territorial continuity and direct access to Jerusalem. In contrast, the Jewish state's territory was larger but included the mostly uninhabited, arid southern Negev region with limited precipitation and numerous wetlands.

The UN Planning Commission Granted Israel an Occupancy Permit

As per United Nations Resolution 181, the British were required to evacuate Israel by August 1, 1948. The resolution also outlined the temporary government arrangements until the establishment of the new states and mandated that the new states declare independence in 1948. Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and their surroundings were designated as neutral territory under UN supervision, governed by a council of Jerusalemites and a foreign governor appointed by the United Nations. Economic union between the countries would be maintained through a common currency and a single customs area. The commitment and any resulting agreement would remain valid for ten years, with the option for termination by either party two years after providing notice.

If Moses were there, he would probably say something like: ‘Kudos to the incredible Engineering, Product, and Marketing teams for achieving excellence. Together, you've set a new standard for innovation and success. Finally, after 2000 years, you understand what teamwork looks like!’

Reactions to the distribution plan varied. Britain, abstaining from voting, announced its intention to withdraw forces by May 14, 1948, and clarified it would not impose the partition on the parties. This decision aligned with the broader process of British colonial disintegration post-World War II, evident in the gradual voluntary evacuation from various territories. The majority of Jews supported the plan, notably the Jewish Agency, the de facto government. In contrast, the Arab leadership in Israel vehemently rejected the plan. Amin al-Husseini, the head of the Arab UN delegation, declared, "The dividing line will be nothing but a line of fire and blood." Postponement led to an armed struggle against the Jewish communities. The struggle included terrorist attacks on Jews and a war on the transport routes.

The bloodbath has begun, and now the Jews are alone: The first declared war of the Arabs against the Jews

The day after the vote, on November 30, an "Egged" bus near the village of Peja was attacked by Arabs, resulting in the brutal murder of five Jewish passengers. In Israel, this event marks the beginning of the War of Independence.

The British decided to conclude the mandate at midnight between May 14 and May 15, symbolized by lowering the British flag in the port of Haifa. With the dream of independence, the Jewish community looked to the United States as a model of leadership. Like the 13 colonies declaring independence after the end of colonial rule in North America, David Ben-Gurion officially proclaimed the establishment of the State of Israel on the last day of the British mandate, May 14, 1948, issuing initial orders for the new rule's implementation starting at midnight.

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