New Borders and the Arab-Refugee Problem

War of Independence Naqba

Causes

• Nov. 1947 The UN decision on Partition:

– Jewish State– Jerusalem as international city under UN– Arab State

• Arabs against partition

Stages

Stage One - Nov. 29 1947—May 15 1948“Civil War” under the Mandate

Begins with Arab attacks in Jerusalem

War on roads all over Palestine

USA retreats from Partition, for temporary UN Trusteeship

May 14 1948 The British leave Palestine

Stage TwoMay 15 1948—January 7 1949

May 15 1948• Declaration of the State of Israel• Invasion of Arab military forces:

• Egypt • Jordan• Iraq• Lebanon• SyriaHistoric debates about the balance of powers

Jan. 7 1949 end of military actions

April 1949 First Armistice Agreement-Jordan

July 1949 Last Armistice Agreement - Syria

Territorial Outcomes

• Jewish State larger than designed

• No Palestinian state

Territories designed for Palestinian stateAnnexed by:

IsraelJordan – West BankEgypt – Gaza Strip

Demographic Outcomes

• Before the war• Total population 1947 – 2,000,000• Jewish 650,000• Arab 1,350,000

• Anticipated in Partition-Israel• Jews in Israel (60%) 650,000• Arabs in Israel (40%) 450,000• Total 1,100,000•• Arabs in the Palestinian state 900,000

Following the WarFollowing the War

► Arab refugeesArab refugees 700,000700,000► more than half of the Arab populationmore than half of the Arab population

To Arab countriesTo Arab countries► The Historic debate about the causesThe Historic debate about the causes

► Remaining Arabs in IsraelRemaining Arabs in Israel160,000160,000 Rate of Arabs in Israel 1949 14%Rate of Arabs in Israel 1949 14%

► December 11 1949 UN Resolution 194December 11 1949 UN Resolution 194 The Right of ReturnThe Right of Return