Factors for Israel Victory in 1948 War Flashcards
Who invaded Israel on the 15th May 1948? Which country had provided Israel with vital prior intelligence to this?
Egypt, Jordan, Iraq and Syria
France provided the intelligence
Who denounced the Arab invasion?
The US, the Soviet Union and the UN Secretary-General Trygve Lie
Why had King Abdullah of Jordan initially rejected the invasion plan of the Arab League? How was the new invasion plan more favourable to Israel?
Because he thought it served Syrian interests the most and he wanted to occupy the West Bank. Likewise, he had reached an agreement with the Jewish Agency and promised the British that he would not attack the Jewish state made in the partition plan.
The new invasion plan was more in compliance with Abdullah’s outlook and hence it involved targeting Palestinian territory more than Israeli.
Which leader had aspirations to be a greater Arab champion than Abdullah?
King Farouk of Egypt
What were the territory aims of the Arab leaders?
Jordan = West Bank
Egypt = Southern Palestine
Iraq = Fertile Crescent
Syria and Lebanon = northern Palestine
All different aims
Why did Abdullah disband all armed bodies under his control in September 1948?
Due to the Arab League, under Egypt, setting up the All-Palestine Government in Gaza. Abdullah viewed this as a challenge to his authority by attempting to revive al-Husayni’s Holy War Army.
At the outbreak of war, which nations possessed air forces and tanks?
Egypt, Iraq and Syria had air forces
Egypt and Syria had tanks
How many soldiers did the Israel Defense Forces number by the end of 1948?
88,000
When was the Israel Defense Forces set up? Why was this an advantage against the Arab forces?
26th May 1948
It established the forces of the Zionist paramilitaries under one, central command. This was lacking in the Arab armies and hence their attacks were not as well coordinated.
How did Israel have the equipment to bomb Cairo in July 1948?
It bought three B-17 bombers in America on the black market
What was the name of the operation that saw Israel smuggle arms from Czechoslovakia?
Operation Balak
How many Avia S-199 fighters did Israel receive from Czechoslovakia through Operation Balak? How many Spitfires?
23 Avia S-199 Fighters
62 Spitfires
Who were most of the pilots who fought for the Israeli Air Force?
Foreign volunters or mercenaries
When did the US declare the first truce in the war?
29th May 1948
How did Israel use the truces to its advantage?
It built up its manpower and armaments during this time despite the arms embargoes placed on them
How many men did the Israeli army increase by during the first truce?
30,000 men to 65,000 men
How did Israel’s fighting change between before and after the first truce?
They grew more aggressive, launching large-scale offensives
When did the UN Security council issue the second truce, after 10 days of fighting? When did this last until?
18th July 1948
Lasted until 15th October
What did the Provisional State Council of Israel issue in September 1948?
Area of Jurisdiction and Powers Ordnance - the law officially added to Israel’s land, all the land which it had annexed during the war
Who did conscription in Israel apply to by the end of March 1948?
All men under 40 and all single women under 35
When did Egypt sign a peace settlement with Israel? When had Lebanon, Jordan and Syria all done the same by?
February 1949
July 1949
