Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

question everything

(48,921 posts)
Fri Nov 29, 2024, 03:01 PM Friday

Nov. 29, 1947 U.N. Partitions Palestine, Allowing for Creation of Israel

On Nov. 29, 1947, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution calling for Palestine to be partitioned between Arabs and Jews, allowing for the formation of the Jewish state of Israel.

Since 1917, Palestine had been under the control of Britain, which supported the creation of a Jewish state in the holy land. Sympathy for the Jewish cause grew during the genocide of European Jews during the Holocaust. In 1946, the Palestine issue was brought before the newly created United Nations, which drafted a partition plan. The plan, which organized Palestine into three Jewish sections, four Arab sections and the internationally-administered city of Jerusalem, had strong support in Western nations as well as the Soviet Union. It was opposed by Arab nations.

The General Assembly voted, 33-13, in favor of partition, with 10 members, including Britain, abstaining. The six Arab nations in the General Assembly staged a walkout in protest. The New York Times reported: “The walkout of the Arab delegates was taken as a clear indication that the Palestinian Arabs would have nothing to do with the Assembly’s decision. The British have emphasized repeatedly that British troops could not be used to impose a settlement not acceptable to both Jews and Arabs, and the partition plan does not provide outside military force to keep order. Instead, it provides for the establishment of armed militia by the two nascent states to keep internal order.”

Six months later, on May 14, 1948, Jewish leaders in the region formed the state of Israel. British troops left, thousands of Palestinian Arabs fled and Arab armies invaded Israel. In the Arab-Israeli War, Israel defeated its enemies. It was the first of several wars fought between Israel and its neighbors.

https://archive.nytimes.com/learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/11/29/nov-29-1947-united-nations-partitions-palestine-allowing-for-creation-of-israel/

8 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies

marybourg

(13,194 posts)
2. Maybe because they hadn't been the victims
Fri Nov 29, 2024, 03:45 PM
Friday

of hatred, pogroms and expulsions for the 2 millennia since the birth of Christianity, culminating most recently in the horrors of the holocaust.

brush

(57,751 posts)
4. Why at the expense of Palestinians? Seriously, was there no other place to go without having to displace another...
Fri Nov 29, 2024, 04:02 PM
Friday

Last edited Fri Nov 29, 2024, 06:21 PM - Edit history (1)

another ethnic group?

brush

(57,751 posts)
7. Of course I am. That was not fair to both sides. And all you respond with is am I serious, without...
Sat Nov 30, 2024, 11:43 AM
Saturday

saying anything else on the matter of one ethnic group being displaced in favor of the other.

What, that thought is never to be asked? Only what's good for one side even though it's disastrous for the other side is never to be considered?

Am I the only one to ever ask what would be a deal that's fair to both sides?

moniss

(5,946 posts)
8. This NYT article glosses over much of what went on as
Sat Nov 30, 2024, 02:50 PM
Saturday

far as Palestine during WW1 and the British talking out of both sides of their mouth at the same time. They promised the same land to two different groups in order to get the Arab revolt against the Ottomans that they desperately needed. The Sykes-Picot agreement and the McMahon-Hussein documents are the proof along with Balfour. Also roll into the matter that the French and the British were jockeying against each other in the region despite being "allies" in the war. The "line in the sand" was drawn long before 1947 and it didn't have crap to do with the British feeling sorry for the Jews.

It was naked opportunism that had the British embracing the leaders of the Zionist movement not genuine compassion. the British were well aware of their double dealing and how it would look and tried mightily to keep their actions under wraps for years. The NYT article is more 3rd grade storybook than honest presentation of how the division occurred prior to WW 2. The Mandates. The NYT also gives the vote and the abstentions but gives none of the bullying that went on by the US in the run-up. One country on the group set up to consider plans was simply sacked outright when they refused to go along with a particular approach. The votes were unsure in the months before the final vote on the plan and during that time the US engaged privately in threatening to impose negative economic consequences to countries thought to be in opposition while at the same time promising economic reward for yes votes. Coercion was very heavy but the fairy-tale of the world feeling sorry about what happened in WW2 is nice and simple and tidy propaganda and therefore is beloved by big media.

But because of the constant lies by Western parties like Great Britain, France and the US told to the parties across the Middle East for over 100 years it is completely rational and understandable for the countries and people in the Middle East to not trust for one moment anything the West says to them or the claims about "caring about the people" and wanting to be "an honest arbiter". We are way, way down the road from anybody believing that.

Latest Discussions»Region Forums»Middle East»Nov. 29, 1947 U.N. Parti...