IGCSE History Arab-Israeli Conflict

IGCSE History Arab-Israeli Conflict

First Arab-Israeli War: 1948-9

Causes

When Israel was formed on 14th May 1948, none of the Arab states acknowledged its existence, thus forming a coalition to invade and re-take Palestine.

What happened?

14th May 1948, David Ben-Gurion announced the formation of Israel.
Arab states (Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria) subsequently invaded with 30,000 troops.
The Arab Legion, the most experienced and well-equipped, took over the Old City of Jerusalem.
USA.
UN cease-fire ordered on 11th June, which Jews rearmed and received fresh supplies.

7th July, Israelis captured important towns of Lydda and Ramle.
Ten days later, a second truce began.
Truce broke down in October when Israelis attacked the Egyptian force, taking the coastal strip between Tel Aviv and Gaza and drove Egyptians out.
Early 1949, Israel controlled all of Palestine, except for the Gaza strip, held by Egypt, and the West Bank area, controlled by Jordan.
On 24th February, an armistice was signed between Egypt and Israel, subsequently, other Arab nations signed.

Why did Israel win?

Arab soldiers from Palestine were disorganized and lacked good leaders.
Arab soldiers were poorly trained and badly equipped.
Arab soldiers had no coordination or battle plan. King Abdullah of Jordan was overall in command but had his own objective of capturing Jerusalem and the West Bank.
UN ordered a cease-fire on June 11th, which allowed Israel to reorganize and receive fresh arms from America.
America, as a member of the UN Security Council, exerted great influence.
Jewish soldiers were disciplined and experienced in fighting with the British in WWII, and against them after it.

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Jewish soldiers had a feeling of survival.
What were the consequences?

A Jewish state was established within the territory controlled by the Jewish forces. Large numbers of Jewish migrants moved to the new Israel.
Only the Gaza strip, East Jerusalem, and the West Bank remained outside Israeli control, causing more arguments in the future.
The majority of Arab Palestinians fled from Israel and became refugees. A minority remained in Israel.
Governments of Arab states were discredited and humiliated. Syrian government lost power in 1949, King Abdullah was assassinated in 1951, King Farouk of Egypt lost power in 1952.
Suez Crisis of 1956

Reasons

Israel wanted to be reorganized, Gaza raids from Palestine, Straits of Tiran were blockaded by Egyptians.
Britain and France: Nasser had nationalized Suez Canal and took possession of it, Egyptians purchased Czechoslovakian arms from Russia.
France: Egyptians were sending aid to Algerians who were achieving independence from France.

Sept 1955

Nasser decided to buy Russian arms.
He needed arms for defense against Israel and the West who would not supply them.

July 1956

Britain and the USA refused to lend Egypt more money for a major project creating a hydroelectric power.
Persuading Nasser to be more cooperative, or else other Egyptians could replace him.

26th July

Nasser decided to nationalize the Suez Canal and heavily tax the British and French from using it.
Using the profits to build the Aswan Dam and prove to the world that Egypt and the Arab world would stand up against Western Imperialism.

24th Oct

British, French, and Israel met together and discussed how they would teach Egypt a lesson.
British, French, and Israelis were unhappy with Nasser's act of nationalizing the Suez Canal, supplying arms for the Algerian conflict, and blockading the port of Eliat. More importantly, Nasser was purchasing arms from Russia, hence the Soviets would gain more influence, as the Middle East is important for oil and resources.

29th Oct

Israeli forces invaded the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt and advanced to the Suez Canal.
Israel was to teach Egypt a lesson as pre-planned by the meeting on the 24th October.

30th October

Britain and France ordered Egypt and Israel to withdraw 16km away from the Suez Canal and a ceasefire, or else Britain and France would take military actions. Nasser refused.
Britain and France knew that Nasser would refuse as the Israelis were still pushing through the Sinai desert, hence provoking Nasser to fight.

31st October – 5th November

British and French planes bombed Egyptian airfields and airplanes to gain air superiority. Subsequently, British and French forces invaded Port Said and quickly retaken the Suez Canal.

6th November

The United Nations declared a ceasefire and condemned the actions of the UK and France, including the USA. The Americans threatened to cut off aid, while the Russians threatened to send military forces to invade.
The biggest fear of the British and French governments was:

Egypt would come under Russian influence.
The Arab states would become united and deny Western access to oil.
Nasser would expel all Western influence in the Middle East and close the Suez canal.
Consequences of the Suez War

Nasser gained greatly in prestige for defying his enemies and became a hero throughout the Arab world.
The Soviet Union was admired by radical Arabs for supporting Nasser, increasing Soviet influence in the Arab world.
Israel soon won back the support of the Americans.
The success of the Israeli military proved how formidable Israel was. For several years after Suez, no Arab countries were prepared to go to war.
Six-Day War of 1967

Short-term Causes

Date:
Event:
Effect/Result:

18th May:
Nasser asked the UN commander to remove his troops from Egyptian soil.
The UN Secretary-General proposed to place troops on the Israeli side, but was refused. UN troops had to completely retreat.

22nd May:
Egypt closed the Gulf of Aqaba to Israeli shipping.
Israelis regarded this as 'an act of aggression' against Israel and claimed that the United States, Britain, and France had 'guaranteed' free passage for all shipping through the Gulf of Aqaba in 1957.

24th May:
The Syrian Defense Minister taunted the Israelis by saying 'never call for, nor accept peace…resolve to drench this land with your blood.'
It further provoked the Israelis to fight against the Arab nations.

29th May:
Nasser spoke to the Egyptian Parliament and declared that 'preparations have been made.'
Nasser demanded that Israel should allow Palestinian refugees to return and to give up land taken in 1948-49.