The Arab Exodus from Mandatory Palestine and Its Aftermath

Mandatory Palestine, established by the League of Nations in 1923 and governed by Great Britain under a mandate, represented a complex and tumultuous period in Middle Eastern history. This article explores the events leading up to and including the forced displacement of Arabs from the region in 1947 and 1948.

The League of Nations and British Mandate

Mandatory Palestine, or Palestine as it was more commonly known, was initially created by the League of Nations and officially came into existence as a Mandated territory governed by Great Britain. This mandate aimed to facilitate the transfer of Palestine to a self-governing Jewish homeland, while protecting Arab rights and interests.

UN Partition Plan and Jewish Acceptance

In November 1947, the successor of the League of Nations, the United Nations, proposed a partition of Palestine into two states: a Jewish state and an Arab state. The Jews accepted this plan, hopeful that negotiation could prevent bloodshed during the British withdrawal and the subsequent transition to self-rule.

Arab Rejection and Armed Conflict

The Arab population rejected the partition proposal decisively. Instead of negotiations, they chose to launch a civil war against the Jewish population. Arabs called on the wider Arab world to support their cause, aiming to deny the Jewish people their right to self-determination and to gain exclusive possession of Palestine.

Jewish Defense and Conflict Escalation

Jewish forces, organized as the Hagana, prepared for the imposition of sovereignty on the designated Jewish state zones. In the face of escalating violence, Arab Liberation Army forces launched attacks on isolated Jewish villages, and by February, they had effectively cut off access to Jerusalem. Jerusalem, which at that time was home to about one-sixth of Palestine's Jewish population, faced brutal sieges and massacres.

British Withdrawal and Arab Appeals

As the British withdrawal from Palestine was imminent, the situation became even more precarious. Arab rebels sought to exploit the British absence to gain more control, leading to widespread violence and displacement. Despite attempts by Arab forces to drive out Jewish population centers, the Hagana was relentless in its defense of the Jewish areas.

The 1948 Arab-Israeli War

On May 15, 1948, five Arab armies entered what had been Palestine, transforming the region into a vast battleground. The civilian population, like in any wartime scenario, fled en masse, with towns and cities being systematically destroyed. It is historically inaccurate to state, however, that they were driven out by force.

Conclusion

The 1947-48 period in Palestine remains one of the most contentious chapters in modern Middle Eastern history, marked by national aspirations, ethnic conflicts, and forced displacement. Understanding the events and their aftermath requires a nuanced approach, taking into account the perspectives and motivations of all involved parties.

Keywords

Arab Exodus, Palestine 1947, 1948 Israel War