The War of IndependenceThe War of Independence

From the Partition Decision to From the Partition Decision to shaping Israel’s bordersshaping Israel’s borders

1947-19491947-1949

The war of communities (12/47-4/48)The war of communities (12/47-4/48) The Arabs never accepted the Partition. Attacks on The Arabs never accepted the Partition. Attacks on

roads and Jewish traffic by irregular local Arabs.roads and Jewish traffic by irregular local Arabs. The Haganah brings supplies to different places with The Haganah brings supplies to different places with

convoys. Shortage of weapons and ammunition. convoys. Shortage of weapons and ammunition. The Yeshuv is very vulnerable.A lot of settlements are The Yeshuv is very vulnerable.A lot of settlements are

isolated. Jerusalem is under siege. Neighborhoods in isolated. Jerusalem is under siege. Neighborhoods in mixed cities and frontier areas are attacked.mixed cities and frontier areas are attacked.

An army of Arab volunteers from different countries, An army of Arab volunteers from different countries, “Arab Liberation Army”, invades North Palestine “Arab Liberation Army”, invades North Palestine (include 4 regiments).(include 4 regiments).

Jewish convoys are ambushed by Arabs, and their Jewish convoys are ambushed by Arabs, and their passengers killedpassengers killed

Plan D’ – creating territorial continuity Plan D’ – creating territorial continuity The U.S. government tried to cancel the The U.S. government tried to cancel the

partition. Later on, they suggested that the partition. Later on, they suggested that the Zionists postpone the declaration of an Zionists postpone the declaration of an independent state independent state

The last month of the Mandate, a large Jewish The last month of the Mandate, a large Jewish military initiative. The purpose: to connect all military initiative. The purpose: to connect all the Jewish enclaves.the Jewish enclaves.

Arab forces - local and foreign volunteers - Arab forces - local and foreign volunteers - can’t coordinate their responses. can’t coordinate their responses.

Arab Elites leave Palestine. After Dir Yassin Arab Elites leave Palestine. After Dir Yassin events, the beginning of a mass exodusevents, the beginning of a mass exodus

The declaration and the invasionThe declaration and the invasion

Regardless of American demand and military Regardless of American demand and military risk, the state is declared.risk, the state is declared.

The Jewish state is named “Israel”The Jewish state is named “Israel” 5 regular Arab armies invade Palestine.5 regular Arab armies invade Palestine. The Arabs’ plan – A Blitz directed to HaifaThe Arabs’ plan – A Blitz directed to Haifa The Arabs’ invitation and the different The Arabs’ invitation and the different

interests of Arab countriesinterests of Arab countries

The Balance of Power – May 15, 1948The Balance of Power – May 15, 1948Heavy WeaponsHeavy Weapons IsraelIsrael Arab Arab

ForcesForces

TanksTanks 1 1 (without a gun)(without a gun) 4040Armored cars with gunArmored cars with gun 22 200200

Armored cars without gunArmored cars without gun 120120 300300

Artillery barrelsArtillery barrels 55 140140

Antitank and antiaircraft gunsAntitank and antiaircraft guns 2424 220220

Fighter planesFighter planes 00 7474

Patrol planesPatrol planes 2828 5757

Navy shipsNavy ships 33 1212

From the invasion to the First truce From the invasion to the First truce The Egyptians succeed to get The Egyptians succeed to get

as close as 16 miles from Tel as close as 16 miles from Tel Aviv and to the Southern Aviv and to the Southern outskirts of Jerusalemoutskirts of Jerusalem

Syrian and Lebanese invade Syrian and Lebanese invade the North. the North.

The Arab legion (Trans-Jordan The Arab legion (Trans-Jordan army) cut the way to army) cut the way to Jerusalem and capture the Jerusalem and capture the Jewish quarter of the old cityJewish quarter of the old city

Iraqi troops threaten to cut the Iraqi troops threaten to cut the Jewish state in halfJewish state in half

The Jewish state’s struggle to survive The Jewish state’s struggle to survive The Syrians and the Lebanese are The Syrians and the Lebanese are

stopped by local forces in Degania stopped by local forces in Degania and Malkiyahand Malkiyah

After three failed attempts to take After three failed attempts to take Latrun and open the way to Latrun and open the way to Jerusalem, a new way is built in the Jerusalem, a new way is built in the mountain – the Burma roadmountain – the Burma road

Iraqi troops and Kaukji Army stop Iraqi troops and Kaukji Army stop their advance due to Jewish attackstheir advance due to Jewish attacks

First 5 fighter planes arrived in Israel First 5 fighter planes arrived in Israel and stopped the Egyptian troops in and stopped the Egyptian troops in IsdudIsdud

The Haganah became the IDF The Haganah became the IDF (Israel defense forces). Etzel and (Israel defense forces). Etzel and Lehi merge into the new forceLehi merge into the new force

From truce to armisticeFrom truce to armistice After 3 and a half weeks, the After 3 and a half weeks, the

UN call for a monthly truce UN call for a monthly truce was accepted.was accepted.

Israel organizes its forces.Israel organizes its forces. From now on the initiative is From now on the initiative is

the hands of Israelis.the hands of Israelis. The ten days’ fight and the The ten days’ fight and the

second trucesecond truce The last stage – the Negev The last stage – the Negev

and the Galilee are annexed and the Galilee are annexed to Israelto Israel

Operation Horev and the creation of Operation Horev and the creation of Gaza strip and the West BankGaza strip and the West Bank