כט' בנובמבר ותוכנית החלוקה

Summary

The transcript covers the tense relations between the British government and the Jewish community during the end of the British Mandate in Palestine. After much debate and multiple committees, the United Nations proposed a plan to partition the land between Jews and Arabs. While the Jewish leadership reluctantly accepted the plan for peace, the Arabs strongly rejected it, leading to violent unrest. The UN vote on November 29, 1947, approved the partition, triggering celebrations among Jews who saw it as the realization of a 2,000-year-old dream. This sparked the beginning of the Israeli War of Independence and the eventual establishment of Israel.

Takeaways

• 😀 The British mandate over Palestine ended with strained relations between the British government and the Jewish community.
• 😀 The United Nations decided to partition Palestine into Jewish and Arab territories, with the British relinquishing control.
• 😀 There was significant opposition from both Jews and Arabs regarding the partition of Palestine.
• 😀 The Jewish community reacted with anger and disappointment over the division of land, especially with large areas allocated to Arabs.
• 😀 The Jewish underground organization Lehi condemned the partition, considering it a historical and geographical injustice.
• 😀 The United Nations formed a special committee, UNSCOP, to investigate the situation in Palestine and make a recommendation.
• 😀 The UNSCOP committee's recommendation led to the UN's approval of a partition plan for Palestine in November 1947.
• 😀 The Jewish leadership reluctantly accepted the partition plan, despite seeing it as a painful compromise for peace.
• 😀 The Arab leadership strongly rejected the partition plan and threatened dire consequences if it was implemented.
• 😀 The UN's partition plan was approved on November 29, 1947, leading to celebrations among Jews in the streets, marking the path to the creation of Israel.
• 😀 The Arab response was violent, with riots and violent uprisings erupting, leading to the 1948 War of Independence and the eventual establishment of Israel.

Q & A

What were the relations between the British authorities and the Jewish community like at the end of the British Mandate?

At the end of the British Mandate, relations between the British authorities and the Jewish community were tense. The British wanted to end the Mandate and return home, while the Jews were seeking a homeland in Palestine.

What was the international response to the situation in Palestine after the British Mandate?

The international community, including the United Nations, was uncertain about what to do with Palestine. Both Jews and Arabs wanted control of the land, leading to numerous committees, decisions, and reports to address the issue.

What was the United Nations' decision regarding Palestine in 1947?

In 1947, the United Nations decided to partition Palestine, with a plan to divide the land between Jews and Arabs. This decision was made to resolve the conflicting claims over the territory.

How did the Jewish community react to the UN partition plan?

The Jewish community reacted with mixed feelings. While they were saddened by the partition, they agreed to accept the plan in the hope of establishing peace, as expressed by the Jewish Agency representatives.

What was the Arab response to the UN partition plan?

The Arab community rejected the UN partition plan outright. Arab leaders warned that if the plan was implemented, it would lead to serious consequences for the Jewish community.

What was the significance of the UN vote on the partition plan on November 29, 1947?

On November 29, 1947, the UN General Assembly held a special session where member states voted on the partition plan. The approval of the plan marked a significant moment for Jews, as it legitimized their right to establish a Jewish state in Palestine.

How did the Jewish community celebrate the UN's decision?

The Jewish community celebrated the UN's decision with great joy. People danced and celebrated in the streets, marking the moment as a historic victory after over 2,000 years of yearning for a homeland.

What was the reaction of the Arab community to the UN's decision?

The Arab community strongly opposed the UN decision. The day after the vote, violent riots broke out, which eventually escalated into the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, also known as the War of Independence.

What did the 29th of November come to symbolize for the Jewish community?

For the Jewish community, the 29th of November became a symbol of the establishment of the State of Israel. It is celebrated as a national day of remembrance, with some streets named after the date of the UN decision.

What event followed the rejection of the partition plan by the Arabs?

Following the Arab rejection of the partition plan, violent unrest erupted, which evolved into the War of Independence, ultimately leading to the establishment of the State of Israel within the borders determined by the UN partition plan, known as the Green Line.