The United States' Influence in the Formation of Israel
TITLE
Evaluate the role of the United States in the creation of Israel.
ESSAY
The creation of the State of Israel in 1948 was a pivotal moment in history, with various factors and actors playing a significant role in the establishment of the Jewish state. One key figure in this process was David Ben-Gurion, who as the head of the Jewish Agency and a leader in the Jewish community in Palestine, led the struggle for an independent Jewish state. Ben-Gurion's determination and leadership were instrumental in formally proclaiming the establishment of Israel on May 14, 1948.
The United States also played a crucial role in the creation of Israel, particularly through its support for the UN partition plan for Palestine. The United States had a vested interest in the situation in Palestine, and President Truman's decision to support the partition plan was influenced by both moral and strategic considerations. Truman's support for a Jewish homeland was driven by a sense of justice following the suffering of the Jewish community during the Holocaust, as well as a desire to prevent the entry of Jewish refugees into the United States, which was seen as a potential economic burden.
Moreover, the United States was also motivated by Cold War concerns, as supporting the creation of Israel prevented Soviet influence in the region. Additionally, Truman's backing of the partition plan garnered him domestic support during an election year. The pressure exerted by the United States on other UN members, including the use of aid packages as leverage, was critical in securing the necessary votes for the partition plan to pass.
While the United States did not initiate the move to create Israel, its active support and pressure on the international stage played a crucial role in the establishment of the Jewish state. The role of the United States in the creation of Israel underscores the complex interplay of moral, strategic, and political factors that shaped this historic event.
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Evaluate the role of the United States in the creation of Israel.
David Ben-Gurion was the main founder of the State of Israel. From 1935, he was the head of the Jewish Agency and was, in effect, the leader of the Jewish community in Palestine. He led the struggle for an independent Jewish state to be created in Palestine and it was Ben-Gurion who formally proclaimed the establishment of the State of Israel on 14 May 1948 being the first to sign the Israeli Declaration of Independence.
Britain’s decision to withdraw from the Palestine Mandate and hand over the problems of the area to the UN paved the way for partition. Palestine had been under the control of the British since 1917 and formally became a British mandate of the League of Nations in 1923. The Balfour Declaration of 1917 stated that the British government favoured the establishment of a national home for the Jewish people but did not want to prejudice the rights of existing non-Jewish communities. In 1939 Britain issued a White Paper stating that it wanted an independent Palestine within 10 years; it would be a state in which Jews and Arabs shared responsibility for governing the country. It also stated that Jewish immigration would be restricted. In 1945, the British confirmed that there would be no increase in immigration and no separate Jewish state. The Zionists, however, were convinced that they had international public opinion on their side and decided on a policy of active opposition to British rule in Palestine.
The British government, unable to reach agreement, referred the problem to the UN in 1947 and announced it would withdraw from Palestine on 18 May 1948. The UN devised the plan for partition and a Special Committee on Palestine (UNSCOP) was formed in April 1947 for this purpose. The majority of the committee members recommended that Palestine be partitioned into an Arab State and a Jewish State, with a special international status for the city of Jerusalem under the administrative authority of the UN. The Arab community rejected the plan arguing that it violated the principles of self-determination in the UN Charter. Knowing the extent of Arab opposition to Resolution 181, the UN proceeded to hold a vote in the assembly on the partition of Palestine and a two-thirds majority was obtained.
It was also the determination of the United States for the resolution to be passed that led to pressure being put on UN members. Soon after President Truman took office in 1946, he approved a recommendation to admit 100,000 displaced persons into Palestine and in October publicly declared his support for the creation of a Jewish state. It is debatable why Truman decided to support the UN resolution; moral reasons have been put forward with Truman advocating a homeland for the Jewish community because of all their suffering at the hands of the Nazis. However strategic reasons have also been suggested. Partition effectively prevented US need to accept Jewish refugees which they believed would drain their economy. There were also Cold War considerations as it prevented Soviet involvement in the area. It also gained Truman support at home when elections were looming. In the autumn of 1947, against the advice of the State Department, Truman supported partition. A telegram signed by 26 US senators with influence on foreign aid bills was sent to wavering countries, seeking their support for the partition plan. The US Senate was considering a large aid package at the time and many nations reported pressure directed specifically at them. Therefore, while the United States did not initiate the move to create Israel, it was US pressure that secured support for the partition plan.