Attaining a Homeland

1. Attaining a Homeland

2. Aftermath of the War • Half of all Jews living in Europe were dead • 300,000 survivors were put into Displaced Person’s camps • No homes, seen awful things, lost family and all that was precious • Western nations continued to close their doors

3. Wanting to Escape from Europe • Most DP’s wanted to go to Palestine • Harry Truman in favor • Asked Britain to let 100,000 leave the camps • Britain continued to enforce White Paper

4. Aftermath of the War • Half of all Jews living in Europe were dead • 300,000 survivors were put into Displaced Person’s camps • No homes, seen awful things, lost family and all that was precious • Western nations continued to close their doors

5. The Yishuv Resists • Britain meant to keep DP’s homeless and let Arabs control Palestine • No choice but to resist • June, 1946 – Britain wanted to move all soldiers to Palestine • Yishuv had to stop them • Blew up 10/11 bridges in one night • Disrupted troop movements

6. The Irgun • Haganah took rare action against the British • Policy of defense which most agreed with • Some groups broke off from Haganah – used stronger methods • Irgun led by Menachem Begin started • Most wanted by British

7. King David Hotel Explodes • Jerusalem 1946 • British Government had HQ at King David Hotel • Dressed as Arabs, Irgun carried milk cans into basement • Phone call warning British to leave • “I don’t take orders from Jews” • Southern wing in ruins

8. Haganah Buys Rescue Ships • Jewish leaders denounced terrorism • Haganah bought every ship they could • Sailed them to ports of DP camps, loaded them with refugees and sailed to Palestine • British tried to stop them

9. Brilliant PR Campaign • Few ships reached Palestine • Most refugees sent to camps in in Cypress or elsewhere • Worldwide horror • People reacted to pictures of British mistreating survivors • Some British turned against their government

10. Britain Gives Up • In April 1947 Britain had had enough –violence, refugees too much • Turned Palestine over to United Nations • UN created in 1946 to promote international peace • Charged with solving the problem of Palestine

11. United Nations Special Committee on Palestine: UNSCOP • Members travel to Palestine • Zionists very happy to talk to them • Arabs refused • Said that a decision to give Jews land would cause riots in Arab countries • UNSCOP continued its work

12. The Exodus 1947 • Old ferryboat • 4,500 Jewish DP’s left for Palestine • Attacked by a fleet of 7 British ships • Boarded boat, machine guns, tear gas, captured it • What should be done with refugees

13. The Jews Win the PR War • Bevan determined to enforce White Paper • Decided to make an example of the Exodus • Ordered them back to Europe • Ship docked in France, then Germany • Jews refused to get off • British used clubs • Jews won the PR war

14. The Partition Plan • US still restricting Jewish immigration • UNSCOP recommended a two-state solution, and Arab and a Jewish state • Jews accepted though disappointed about Jerusalem • Arabs rejected report entirely

15. United Nations Decides • Behind the scenes lobbying before vote • An Arab victory seemed certain • Truman pledged US support • Russia too supported • 29th November 1947 – the vote FOR – 33AGAINST -13 ABSTAIN -10

16. The Road to Freedom • 2 days after UN vote Arabs went on strike • Attacked Jewish quarter of Old City • British soldiers watched • Did not keep order • Irgun set Arab movie theater on fire

17. Early Arab Victories • Arab forces attacked but unable to capture any settlement • Arabs controlled roads connecting settlements • March 1948 – Negev settlements cut off • Northern villages isolated, Jerusalem cut off • US –”Postpone independence”

18. Weizmann and Truman • Zionists wanted Truman to reconfirm commitment • He wouldn’t see them • Weizmann went to US • No meeting • Jewish friend of president helps • Weizmann convinces Truman - supports

19. Ben Gurion’s Decision • Could a Jewish state survive? Much doubt • Jewish quarter starving – no food, other losses • Jews went on offensive • Attacked • High cost but Haganah prevailed

20. Death on Both Sides • Arabs attacked convey of medical workers – killed 77 • Irgun killed Arab villagers in Deir Yassin • 107 killed • Arabs began to flee in large numbers

21. Britain Leaves, Arabs Attack • May 14, 1948 last British soldiers left • General Yadin – Many key locations won • Five Arab states vowed to attack • Zionist army short of weapons

22. Independence Proclaimed • Should Israel delay independence? • No – by narrow vote • 4:00p.m. May 14th, Ben Gurion proclaims state • New state born • Equality, freedom of religion and culture • Extended peace to all neighbors