The UN decided to divide Palestine, but just after that decision, chaos began.

The Arabs weren't too pleased, and chaos turned violen

Arab Reaction to UN Partition

• The Arab Higher Committee called for a strike which resulted in violence against Jewish civilians.

• Real-world Example: Imagine someone proposes to split your school ground in half, but one group doesn't want it. They protest, and eventually, fights break out between the two sides.

British Exit Announcement

• Britain's exit announcement in December led to heightened Arab-Jewish clashes.

• Picture this: The school authorities, tired of the chaos, announce they're leaving the decision to students. Now, both groups rush to gain the upper hand.

Jewish Strategy

• Initially defensive - trying to protect what the UN gave them.

• Soon, they played offense - aiming to gain control over more lands.

• Real-world example: You start by defending your side in a game of Capture the Flag, but soon, you strategize to snatch the other team's flag.

Plan D

• The Haganah (Jewish military organization) had a strategy.

  • Occupy areas left by the British.

  • Remove as many Palestinians from future Jewish lands as possible.

• Trivia: By February 1948, many Palestinian elites had already left, causing panic and encouraging more departures.

April 1948 Expulsions

• Jewish forces actively pushed Arabs out.

• Picture this: Imagine a game of Monopoly, but instead of just paying rent, players are kicked out of their properties!

Jerusalem's Struggle

• A fierce tug-of-war over Jerusalem's access routes.

• Tragedy struck when both sides massacred civilians.

• In one instance, the Irgun, led by Menachem Begin, attacked Deir Yassin, resulting in mass civilian casualties.

• Result? Huge psychological warfare! The Deir Yassin incident spread fear, making many Arabs flee.

  • It's like spreading rumors in school about a haunted classroom. Soon, no one wants to go near it.

The Exodus

• By the British departure on 14 May 1948, over 300,000 Arabs left what became the new Jewish state.

• An outcome with mixed feelings: Victory for the Jews, catastrophe for the Arabs.