If there is a lesson to be learned here, it is that love, love of god, love of family, love of country, is the foundation that builds relationships, builds nations. Israels war of independence, which lasted from the end of 1947 till the summer of 1949, can be divided into two main periods. Killings and massacres during the 1948 palestine war. The 194849 war although israels independence on may 14, 1948, triggered the first fullscale war, armed conflicts between jews and arabs had been frequent since great britain received the league of nations mandate for palestine in 1920. Its a hebrew manual for rifle usage named the rifle. The donations were to aid the state of israel, then at war with three of its arab neighbors. Israels war for independence had concluded with a ceasefire that had left jerusalem divided in two. The birth of the idf came at a time when the entire country was at war for its very survival. It started on the eve of the establishment of the state may 14, 1948 and continued until january 1949.
List of books and articles about arabisraeli conflict. In human terms, the war of independence was israel s costliest war, with over 6,000 israelis were killed and 15,000 wounded. Morris offers a study of israels war of independence, effectively debunking many of the myths surrounding it. Amazing new movie about the jewishamerican wwii pilots. Top ten best books on the israelipalestinian conflict. Herzog can fault israel, and is aware of mistakes but points out to the essentially defensive character of the jewish states major military actions. This account of the wars of israel from the war of independence is written with fairness and a real attention to the facts. Between june 1947 and october 31, 1949 the jewish agency later to become the israeli government seeking weapons for operation balak, made several purchases of weapons in czechoslovakia, some of them of former german army weapons, captured by the czechoslovak army on its national territory. The book begins with the tensions of the british mandate period in palestine. Feb 06, 2008 the 1948 israeli war of independence began when the united nations decided to partition palestine into separated jewish and arab states. Miracles of the sixday war discover first fruits of zion.
In celebration, i am compiling a list of the 65 best books connected to israel a book about israel, a story that takes place in israel, a book by an israeli. An american soldier in israel s war of independence ralph lowenstein and his halftrack, at camp st. Consolidating this colonial settler paradigm, in khalidis telling, was the 1948 israeli war of independence or the nakba catastrophe, as the palestinians call it. This incredible account is a story of determination and heroism, but also a stinging portrait of life on the battlefieldof looking an enemy soldier, also wideeyed and only eighteen, in the eyes and knowing that its his life or yours, either you take a life or you lose yours. Arms shipments from czechoslovakia to israel 194749.
War and peace in the middle east from the war of independence through lebanon, and also many which concentrate specifically on one particular part of that long conflict, there have been comparatively few books written over the years which were focused exclusively on the first arabisraeli war. For nearly two decades afterward, jews were not allowed to enter jerusalems walls or pray inside the city. The 1948 israel war of independence, which started right after the establishment of the independent state of israel then also refered to as palestine, being a survival war for the eretz israeli population, including the new immigrants, the remnants of the holocaust, the raison detre of the israel state, has aroused deep. Zionation zionism israel web log israel news israel. The edge of the sword israels war of independence 1947. The vast majority of palestines main roads ran through areas populated by arabs, and by controlling the roads, the arabs could effectively lay siege to areas of jewish settlement. The original hebrew manual guide book was published in eretz israel palestine in 1942 by the palmach and haganah for the usage of the soldiers warriors.
Looking for israel history books but dont know where to turn. On 15 may 1948, the civil war transformed into a conflict between israel and the arab states following the israeli declaration of independence the previous day. The first began on november 30, 1947, the day after the united nations adopted the resolution calling for the partition of the land of israel, and culminated on. The israeli declaration of independence, formally the declaration of the establishment of the state of israel hebrew. A nation girds for war surveys the political and diplomatic background to israels war of independence. Buy quality secondhand israeli war books, at 5075% off retail.
The 19471949 palestine war, known in israel as the war of independence hebrew. The book gives some pretty succinct pointers about how the palestinian arabs lost so much in this conflict. This history of the foundational war in the arabisraeli conflict is groundbre. The arabisraeli wars is herzogs acclaimed history of israels fight since 1947 to preserve her existence against chaim herzog, former president of israel, was involved in every conflict involving israel and its arab neighbors from before the 1948 war of independence. Here at we have over 30,000 jewish books on our website, with over 2,000 added monthly. Arabisraeli wars, series of military conflicts between israeli and various arab forces, most notably in 194849, 1956, 1967, 1973, 1982, and 2006.
Avilc board member mike flint is producing a film angles in the sky about the volunteer air force that came from around the world in israel s war of independence, and the riveting book. In 1949 he emigrated to the new state of israel, where he went to arava and joined a military academy, illustrated with photographs and maps. List of books and films about israel, israeli history and the middle east. The 1948 or first arabisraeli war was the second and final stage of the 194749 palestine. The 194849 war although israel s independence on may 14, 1948, triggered the first fullscale war, armed conflicts between jews and arabs had been frequent since great britain received the league of nations mandate for palestine in 1920. Chris hayhurst examines the history behind israel s midtwentieth century battle for independence amid the surrounding arab nations, plus biographical notes on important figures and a look at the effects of this. History of israels war of independence isbn 0761803726, 9780761803720, 0761807217, 9780761807216, 9780761807698, 0761807691, 0761814892, 9780761814894. Israels war of independence 19471949 kindle edition. Uri milstein is senior lecturer at bar ilan university in israel and has written many books on or relating to war. Israel has been shaped by war, but the epic war films produced in other countries have been few and far in between. There were two listings in the phone book beginning with that word. These include israel s war of independence and the palestinian nakbah, the suez crisis, the sixday war, the yom kippur war, and two wars in lebanon. This first edition by middle east, david bengurion is available at bauman rare books.
In his book the ethnic cleansing of palestine, pappe asserts that plan dalet was. This book, based on newly classified material, describes the jewish defense actions in the 1948 war of independence. As members of machal volunteers from abroad this ragtag band of brothers not only. Israels war of independence 19471949 9780876770115. The jews won their war of independence with minimal help from the west.
Rediscovered letters shed new light on israels war of. Indeed, there is a lot to celebrate, but it is good to remember that israel was only secured after it successfully defended itself in the 1948 war of independence. The 1948 israeli war of independence, known by the israelis predominantly as war of independence. May 14, 1948 was the final day of the british mandate over palestine, and as that day approached, various nations angled to determine the future, or lack thereof, of the proposed jewish state. Reading these books provides good insight into the nature of the war itself and how it affected the participants. This incredible account is a story of determination and heroism, but also a stinging portrait of life on the battlefieldof looking an enemy soldier, also wideeyed and only eighteen, in the eyes and knowing that its his life or. Army air force, and then in 1948 for israel s desperate fouraircraft air force in its war against five arab armies. Is there any way to end the israelipalestinian conflict. This site uses cookies to deliver our services, improve performance, for analytics, and if not signed in for advertising. On may 26, 1948, the israel defense forces officially began acting as israels sole, unified military organization charged with protecting the territory and citizens of the twoweekold state. Israels independence in 1948, the sixday war and other wars and hostilities.
Feb 19, 2020 in one of israels war of independences most incredible stories and there were many of them, al schwimmer, an american air force veteran of world war ii, feared that the new jewish state. A unique feature characterizing the first phase of the war of independence up to may 1948 was the battle for the roads. Morris offers a study of israels war of independence, effectively debunking many of the myths surrounding it he meticulously documents the expulsions and atrocities that occurred on both sides. About the war of independence israel s war of independence is the first war between the state of israel and the neighboring arab countries. The 1948 or first arabisraeli war was the second and final stage of the 194749 palestine war. Exquisitely written with a poetically beautiful touch, days of lead is the pageturning true story of a young soldiers brave escapades during israels war of independence in 1948. Click download or read online button to get the edge of the sword israels war of independence 1947 1949 book now. In 1948, a group of world war ii pilots volunteered to fight for israel in the war of independence. They used the rifle during the 1948 war of independence the 1948 israel arab war and all the pre war military actions. The book s point of divergence is the assumption that it is the arab air forces which on june 5, 1967 launch a surprise attack and destroy the israeli air force, rather than the other way around as it happened in actual history. Eye witness to the israel war of independence and the birth of israel. Apr 16, 2018 holy land uncovered 70 years later, uri shapira looks back on the 1948 war that led to the founding of israel, in a specific strategic place. University press of america, 1996language english hebrew translated from uniform title toldot mil. All that changed in june 1967, when god unleashed a miracle of biblical proportions in the form of the sixday war.
Based on conversations with palestinians in israel, this engrossing book is entirely unique. Wellknown books, especially by israels new historians, have. A sensitive selfportrait set within the context of war torn jerusalem, this is the story of the boy who, having left his family aged 15. It formally began following the end of the british mandate for palestine at midnight on 14 may 1948. Nearly 6,400 israeli military personnel and civilians, or 1 percent of the nations citizens, lost their. Immediately after the vote the first arab attack was launched in jerusalem and it did not take long before the fighting spread throughout the country. Still, theres at least one mustsee to cover for all of israel s military conflicts.
Daniel chertoffs palestine posts book launch in jerusalem, plus a new aaci exhibition in jerusalem and over 1,000 olim attend a nefesh bnefesh block party. Learning from lebanon and getting it right in gaza by benjamin s. He was swaggering and macho, like indiana jones, reubens says. With the war of independence still raging, the war for israels survival was just beginning. The 1948 israeli war of independence began when the united nations decided to partition palestine into separated jewish and arab states. It contains sites sacred to judaism, samaritanism, christianity, islam, druze and the bahai faith. The literature on this conflict by zionist and prozionist writers. This is not a shortcoming of the book, but rather a lack of knowledge and interest. Declaration of israels independence first edition middle. Moshe rashkes was a platoon leader in israel s war of independence and received a citation of valor when he was discharged in 1948 after a serious injury. The israel war of independence was fought between the newly declared state of israel and a military coalition of arab states over. Perceptions can still be polarized about israels war of independence and the. Amazing new movie about the jewishamerican wwii pilots that helped fight israel s first war january 29, 2015 march 6, 2015 saw above and beyond last night at the opening of the atlanta jewish film festival and im still thinking about it today. An american soldier in israel s war of independence.
Although there are quite a large number of books nowadays covering the history of the arabisraeli wars generally notably the arabisraeli wars. His work demonstrates that passion, not polemic, about this controversial era leads to good history. May 15, 2018 during the decade that followed the war of independence, the sephardic jews were expelled from virtually all their native, muslim countries, in protest against the founding of israel. A nation girds for war surveys the political and diplomatic background to israel s war of independence. One of the most comprehensive coverages about israels war of independence. Hundreds of photos found from when israel s war of independence raged. An american volunteer in the israeli air force during the 1948 war of independence. Nevertheless, the pendulum of history has arguably never swung more widely than from the end of the holocaust in 1945 to the birth of the jewish state in 1948. From a burning photography store, moshe carmel rescued four albums whose. Zionism faq zionism israel center maps of israel jew israel advocacy zionism and its impact israel christian zionism site map.
The author was born in cairo, egypt and brought up with a jewish education. First printing of israel s declaration of independence, together with two rare successive issues of the official bulletin from the same month. The war of independence was concluded by the signing of armistice agreements between israel and the surrounding arab states. Israel independence day about the war of independence. As members of machal volunteers from abroad this ragtag band of brothers not only turned the tide of the war, preventing the possible annihilation of israel at the very moment of its birth. Israeli war of independence books tagged israeli war of. Based on newly declassified material, it describes how the jewish defense functioned in the 1948 war of independence and reveals the internal functions among the jewish commanders. The most effective arab fighting force during israels war of independence, the arab legion was established and funded by great britain in 19201921. Rank and file rediscovered letters shed new light on israels war of independence. Egypt, transjordan, syria, and expeditionary forces from iraq entered palestine. Written by barry rubin, a leading historian of the middle east, the book is based around six major themes. These include israels war of independence and the palestinian nakbah, the suez crisis, the sixday war, the yom kippur war, and two wars in lebanon. Most popular 1948 arab israeli war movies and tv shows imdb.
Benny morris is a well known revisionist historian of the modern. Benny morris is a well known revisionist historian of the modern state of israel. I had been aware that israel had a few me109gs in israel s war of independence in 194849 but i had no idea how they got there. That war is still, by far, the most devastating war in israels history.
History of israel wars war of independence on the 29th november 1947 the united nations general assembly voted to partition palestine. Perceptions can still be polarized about israel s war of independence and the palestinian nakba catastrophe of 1948, the 1967 war, and the character of the occupation that persists 50 years later. In 1950, he was named chairman of israel s disabled war veterans organization, where he was responsible, through 1958, for the rehabilitation of more than six thousand disabled veterans. This time, the israeli troops quickly captured the monastery that was being used as the arab forces base of operations and that was the end of. An amazing introduction to israel, this book offers a definitive account of the nations past, its often controversial present, and much more. The very name that the writer gives to the israeli war of independence is wrong. Declaration of israels independence rare book for sale. The arabs were not staisfied with the deal, as they wanted.
Miracles during the war of independence jewish history. The first arabisraeli war by benny morris goodreads. It fought during israels war of independence with jordan and was key in fighting in areas allotted to the arab palestinian state in the partition plan. The argument over the land, then known as palestine, had raged between palestinians and jews for more than fifty years and had now turned to war.
This book is a strait explanation of the military events of the war and the volume includes maps and photos. Uri milsteins comprehensive study of israels war of independence. Killings and massacres during the 1948 palestine war resulted in the deaths of hundreds of civilians and unarmed soldiers historians disagree concerning the effect these killings and massacres had on the 1948 palestinian exodus and if whether or not these killings and massacres were carried out with the intent of hastening it. In one of israel s war of independence s most incredible stories and there were many of them, al schwimmer, an american air force veteran of world war ii, feared that the new jewish state. It was not one of the celebrated moments of what the israelis call the war of independence and the palestinians call al nakba, the catastrophe. During the independence war, israeli forces reentered katamon which was a key strategic position in jerusalem that israel had failed to retake from the arab forces controlling it, just two days earlier. This excellent history was written by an israeli soldier who served as an officer during the war of independence and thus had a front row seat. The 1948 war for independence was monumental, and the modern state of israel stands as a testament to the war s impact and result. Jean, a former british army base near the port city of acre. After israels independence, these clandestine arms manufacturing operations no longer had to be concealed, and were moved above ground.
What khalidi found baffling was that, by that morning, the israelis. Wellknown books, especially by israel s new historians, have made a big impact on knowledge of the formative prestate period. These books, or more frequently, booklets, appeared in large numbers in israel during the years immediately following the 1948. Avilc board member mike flint is producing a film angles in the sky about the volunteer air force that came from around the world in israels war of independence, and the riveting book version has recently been published. During the first arabisraeli war the state of israel was born and could defend herself against all of her arab neighbors. Afterwards the arab armies launch a lighting ground attack andin an exact mirror image of the actual sixday war conquer the entire territory of israel. The brigade, insultingly underused in the war, achieved its greatest distinction in fighting for the independence and sovereignty of israel. Milstein discloses the internal frictions among the jewish commanders. The war consisted of 39 separate operations, fought from the borders of lebanon to the sinai peninsula and eilat.