Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
The British Mandate for Palestine, established after World War I, was fraught with increasing tensions between the Arab and Jewish populations. Both groups laid claim to the land, leading to periodic outbreaks of violence throughout the interwar period. By 1947, Britain, exhausted by the conflict and facing mounting international pressure, announced its intention to withdraw from Palestine by May 1948, referring the issue to the United Nations. This decision, coupled with the UN Partition Plan (Resolution 181), ignited a final, decisive phase of conflict as both Arabs and Jews prepared for the inevitable power vacuum and the prospect of statehood.
The British Mandate and Rising Tensions
The Balfour Declaration of 1917, expressing British support for a “national home for the Jewish people” in Palestine, laid the foundation for increased Jewish immigration. This influx, coupled with Arab nationalist aspirations, fueled resentment and violence. The 1920s and 1930s witnessed several Arab revolts against British rule and Jewish settlements, notably the 1929 Palestine riots and the 1936-1939 Arab revolt. British attempts to mediate, such as the Peel Commission (1937) proposing partition, failed to gain acceptance from both sides.
The UN Partition Plan (Resolution 181)
Following World War II and the horrors of the Holocaust, international sympathy for Jewish statehood grew. In November 1947, the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 181, partitioning Palestine into separate Arab and Jewish states, with Jerusalem under international control. The plan allocated approximately 55% of the land to the Jewish state and 45% to the Arab state. However, the Arab Higher Committee rejected the plan outright, viewing it as an infringement on Arab rights and a betrayal of promises made during World War I. Jewish leadership, while accepting the plan as imperfect, prepared to establish the State of Israel.
Escalation of Violence and the British Withdrawal
The UN Partition Plan triggered a civil war within Palestine. Jewish paramilitary organizations, such as the Haganah, Irgun, and Lehi, engaged in offensive operations to secure territory allocated to the Jewish state and expand their control. Arab militias, including the Arab Liberation Army, responded with attacks on Jewish settlements and infrastructure. The British, attempting to maintain order during their withdrawal, found themselves increasingly unable to control the escalating violence. Key events during this period include:
- December 1947 – April 1948: Intense fighting between Jewish and Arab forces, including attacks on villages and strategic locations.
- April 9, 1948: The Deir Yassin massacre, where Irgun and Lehi forces attacked the Arab village of Deir Yassin, resulting in a large number of civilian deaths. This event significantly heightened Arab fears and contributed to the mass exodus of Palestinians.
- May 14, 1948: David Ben-Gurion declared the establishment of the State of Israel.
The Outbreak of the 1948 Arab-Israeli War
Immediately following Israel’s declaration of independence, armies from Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq invaded Palestine. This marked the beginning of the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, a conflict that would reshape the political landscape of the Middle East. The British withdrawal was completed, leaving the newly formed State of Israel to defend itself against the invading Arab forces. The war resulted in a significant Palestinian refugee crisis, with hundreds of thousands of Palestinians displaced from their homes.
| Event | Year | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Balfour Declaration | 1917 | Promised a national home for the Jewish people in Palestine. |
| Peel Commission | 1937 | Proposed partition of Palestine, rejected by Arabs. |
| UN Resolution 181 | 1947 | Officially partitioned Palestine, triggering civil war. |
| Declaration of Israel | 1948 | Led to the invasion by Arab states and the start of the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. |
Conclusion
The British withdrawal from Palestine in 1948 was not a peaceful handover but a catalyst for a violent conflict with far-reaching consequences. The competing claims of Arabs and Jews, coupled with the inadequacies of the UN Partition Plan and the escalating violence, created a volatile situation that ultimately led to the establishment of Israel and the displacement of a large Palestinian population. The events of 1948 continue to shape the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and remain a central issue in Middle Eastern politics today.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.