The Rejection of the UN Partition Plan of 1947 and Its Impact on the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict

The UN Partition Plan of 1947, proposed by the United Nations in an effort to resolve the Palestine Question, was a pivotal moment in the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Yet, the rejection of this plan by Palestinian Arabs, and their subsequent actions, had profound and lasting consequences.

Overview of the UN Partition Plan of 1947

The UN Partition Plan of 1947 was an attempt to create two independent states, one Jewish and one Arab, within the borders of Mandatory Palestine. The plan was based on the recommendation that a separate Jewish state be established in a territory that was home to Jewish communities for over 2000 years, albeit under foreign occupation in the preceding 200 years.

The Rejection of the Partition Plan

The Palestinians rejected the UN Partition Plan due to their belief that the Jewish State was being established in an area that was entirely their land. This position was rooted in their assertion that the Jewish people had acquired their land through purchases from various Arab landowners, a stance that many argue was incorrect.

One major factor in the rejection of the partition plan was an alternative proposal that suggested either the mass expulsion of Jews or partition through a violent uprising, both of which were seen as unacceptable.

The Grand Mufti and the Nazi Influence

The decision to reject the partition plan was further influenced by the ideologies of the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, who had been in contact with Nazi officials during World War II. The Mufti, who was highly impressed by the industrial scale of Nazi death camps, embraced a version of the Nazi Final Solution. Following the British victory over Rommel’s Afrika Corps and the failure of the Nazis to establish extermination camps in the Middle East or North Africa, the Grand Mufti’s plans were thwarted.

The mindset of rejecting the partition plan, driven by the Grand Mufti’s beliefs, continues to influence attitudes towards a two-state solution today.

The Lapse in Leadership and the Rejection of Proposals

Since 1947, the Palestinians have repeatedly rejected any two-state solutions and instead advocated for the complete expulsion of Jews. The newly formed United Nations, which was in its infancy, did little to address the conflict and has done nothing to prevent the escalation of violence.

It is crucial to recognize that the concept of 'Palestine' as a state did not exist before 1964, when the Palestine National Council adopted the term. Prior to this, the area was home to various nomadic and settled populations, including Arabs, Jews, and others.

Overall, the rejection of the 1947 UN Partition Plan was a significant mistake that has perpetuated the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and hindered the establishment of a fair and lasting peace.

Keywords: UN Partition Plan, Palestine, Israeli Settlement