Middle east Flashcards
Why did the Jews want the land of the British Mandate?
It was their holy land.
Rise of Zionism due to antisemitism (movement to reestablish a Jewish homeland in Palestine).
How many Jews were in the British Mandate (1918)?
56,000 Jews.
Why did Arabs want the land of the British Mandate?
They belivied the land was rightfully theirs.
They had been in control since 640 AD and formed the majority of the population.
Key events leading to the end of the British mandate?
1946 King David Hotel bombing, 1947 SS Exodus,
UN Resolution 181,
1945 Britain allowed 1,500 Jews in a month,
1945 start of Jewish insurgency, 1946 Britain admits 100,000 Jews in.
What was the Sevres Agreement?
An agreement between Israel, Britain, and France for Israel to attack while Britain acted as peacekeepers.
When was the Sevres agreement?
1920
How did the Irgun and Lehi try to drive the British out during the Jewish insurgency?
They blew up railway systems at 153 places to hinder British communication.
Led a two year campaign of violence; 73 British soldiers were killed in 1946.
What years were the Jewish insurgency?
1944-1948.
What were the moderate groups (like the Haganah’s) aims?
They aimed to defend Jewish communities from Arab attacks throgh self-defence.
Events of the King David Hotel bombing?
Irgun bombed the southern wing of King David’s Hotel, which was the headquarters of the mandate administration and British army.
Disguised as Arabs, they used explosives hidden in milk churns, killing 91 people.
What was the significance of the King David Hotel bombing?
It caused outrage,
Britain announced a state of alert,
Palestinians were subjected to searches, curfews, and mass arrests.
What was the impact of terrorism on Britain?
The mandate had stricter laws, Britain had greater involvement in the Middle East,
Increased fear and higher goverment spending on counterterrorism.
What was the SS Exodus incident?
An old American passenger ship picked up 4,500 Jews illegaly but was stopped by the Royal Navy and was forced back to Europe.
Passengers went on a hunger strike and were forcibly returned to camps.
When was the SS Exodus incident?
July 1947.
What was the impact of the SS Exodus?
Gained international sympathy for Jews increasing the pressure on Britain to resolve the Palestininan issue.
What was the significance of the SS Exodus?
Highlighted Britains struggle to control Jewish immigration leading to handing over the Palestinian problem to the UN.
How did the US aid Jewish immigration?
Provided funding to allow 115,000 Jewish immigrants to Palestine,
Supported the 1947 Partition Plan,
Highlighted suffering for Holocaust surviving,
First country to recognize Israel in 1948.
What is UNSCOP?
United Nations Special Committee on Palestine
A special committee formed by the UN to settle the dispute and divide the land.
What was the Un Partition Plan?
Turned the British Mandate into two independent states (one Palestinian Arab, one Jewish) with Jerusalem an international zone.
When was the UN Partition Plan?
November 1947
British reaction to the UN Partition Plan?
They accepted it, but did not enforce it as ‘it was not accepted by the Arabs,’
They belived this could lead to war.
Arab reaction to the Partition Plan?
They rejected the plan, as half the land was given to Jews who had only a third of the population.
Jewish reaction to the Partition Plan?
Jews accepted it, although it would place them deep in Arab territory; extremists rejected it.
Resolution 181 (Partition Plan) in UN government?
USA and USSR both wanted a Jewish state as an ally in the Cold War; 33 voted for the plan, 13 against, and 10 abstained.
