The Battle for a Jewish State

1
The Battle for a Jewish State

• The diplomatic and armed struggle from the end of
  the war to the Partition decision
• 1945-1947

2
The DPs (displaced persons) problem

• 50,000 Jewish survivors were in Nazi
  concentration camps, at the time of liberation.
• Jews who were hiding in Eastern Europe find out
  there is nowhere and no one to come back to.
• By summer of 1945 there were 100,000 Jews in
  Camps, "non-repatriables
• Harrison report to Truman we appear to be
  treating the Jews as the Nazis treated them
  except that we do not exterminate them. He
  recommended that they will be evacuated to
  Palestine
• By 1946, 250,000 Jews were in DP camps

3
The Bricha (escape) from Eastern Europe to the
American Zone in Germany
An initiative of local Zionists in Lublin,
Poland, joined by the Jewish brigade and the
Haganah in Europe
4
The Political Arena The Beginning of American
involvement

• President Truman 100,000 Jewish refugees should
  be allowed to immigrate to Palestine.
• Bevin (British Foreign secretary) White Paper
  policy would be continued. Jewish Refugees should
  return to their countries and contribute to the
  reconstruction of Europe
• Anglo-American Committee of Inquiry (1946) to
  solve the DPs problem and Palestine question
• The committee recommendation, to let 100,000
  refugees immigrate immediately, is rejected by
  the British government, creating a rift between
  the British and the White House

5
The Jewish revolt in Palestine

• The Etzel declares a revolt against the British
  February 1944
• Two Lehi members assassinated Lord Moyne
  British resident Minister in Cairo November
  1944
• The Saison - denouncing Etzel members to the
  British (1944-1945)
• The Unified Jewish Resistance Movement is founded
  after Bevin reapproved the White paper (Nov
  1945). Haganah, Etzel and Lehi collaborate
  against the British

6
The Jewish revolt in Palestine (2)

• As a response to rejection of the Anglo
  American committee - The bridges Night Palmach
  blows-up 10 bridges, cutting all land
  communications to Palestine (June 46)
• Black Shabbat British search for and confiscate
  arms. The Yeshuv leadership and many Haganah
  members are arrested.
• The Etzel bombed the headquarters of Mandatory
  government at the King David Hotel in Jerusalem
  (July 1946). 91 victims. The United Jewish
  Resistance Movement is dismantle.
• Etzel and Lehi continue attacking the British.
  Haganh concentrates on Illegal immigration

7
The Haapalah Illegal immigration

• The Bricha organization smuggled Jews who wanted
  to immigrate to Mediterranean ports in Europe.
• The Mossad Le'aliyah Bet bought ships and hired
  crews.
• 64 ships were sent during 1945-1947 with 70,000
  illegal immigrants
• British put a naval blockade on Palestine. 70 of
  the immigrants were caught and sent to Cyprus
• The influence on public opinion, of british
  fighting against survivors, was huge.

8
British last attempts

• The Morrison - Grady Plan. federalization under
  overall British Trusteeship
• After the plan is rejected by the Zionists, the
  Arabs and the Americans, the British set-up a
  conference in London. No results.
• The British decided to give up the Mandate and
  to transfer the problem of Palestine to the
  United nations (February 1947).

9
U.N involvment

• At the U.N General Assembly the Soviet Union
  joined The U.S. to support a Two States solution
• U.N. special committee for Palestine (UNSCOP)
  recommend to end the Mandate and establish an
  Arab and a Jewish State
• With strong American support, the U.N General
  Assembly vote for the partition decision
  (November 29, 1947). The British abstain, the
  Arabs and their supporters vote against.
• Celebrations in the Jewish streets, anger among
  Arabs. The next day, violence against Jews brake
  out in Jerusalem. The war of independence starts