1948 Arab-Israel War

April 3, 1949: Israel and Transjordan sign Armistice agreement .

Both sides are bound to decide issues with no aggression. The Arab Legion will replace Iraqi army in north-central Palestine. There will be a neutral zone between the two countries, except Aqaba, where number of forces will remain the same.

A Committee of Arabs and Jews will work for peace with help from UN Security Council. Jews will control modern Jerusalem, and Arabs will control old Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Hebron, and central Palestine. The Dead Sea will be divided in half. There will be free travel on Tel Aviv-Jerusalem highway and Jerusalem-Bethlehem highway. Jerusalem’s water supply from Latrun, Palestine, which was cut by the Arabs,will be restored. Jews control Hadera-Afula road, northwest of Nablus-Jenin-Tulkarm.

More details of Armstice agreement at the UNISPAL website.

The complete text can also be viewed here.

Photo: Lebanese delegate signs Armistice agreement

Lebanon and Israel sign Armistice agreement, March 23, 1949

Details of agreement here: http://bit.ly/YfLWoG

Operation Uvda, March 5-10, 1949

On March 10 at 15:00, the Negev Brigade reached the abandoned police station at Umm Rashrash, (where the city of Eilat will later be built.)  

Soldiers of the Brigade raise a hand-drawn Israeli flag (popularly known in Israel as the Ink Flag דֶּגֶל הַדְּיוֹ, Degel HaDyo). The soldier on the flag is Abraham Adan.

19th Regiment arrived at Umm Rash Rash at 17:00. The soldiers, who were better equipped than Negev Brigade soldiers, replaced the ink flag with a proper flag. 

Commanders of the two divisions, Nahum Sarig and Nachum Golan sent a telegram by radio to HQ:

“On Hagana day, the 11th of Adar, the Palmach Negev brigade and the Golani brigade present the Gulf of Eilat to the State of Israel”  

By taking Um-Rashrash, the connecting road between Trans-Jordan and Egypt, which had been used by British forces, was now cut off. Israeli forces controlled the whole of the Negev, which has been assigned to Israel in the UN partition plan of November 1947, except areas demilitarized in the Armistice deal with Egypt. 

As Operation Uvda is the last military operation of the conflict, the raising of the flag at the police station is considered to mark the end of the war. 

U N I T E D

N A T I O N S

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RESTRICTED

A/AC.25/SR/G/14
24 February 1949

Original: English

Present:
H.E. Mr. Moshe Shertok
- Foreign Minister of IsraelMr. Ethridge(U.S.A.)- ChairmanMr. de Boisanger(France)Mr. Yalchin(Turkey)Mr. Azcarate- Principal Secretary

After explaining the general nature of the Commission’s task, the CHAIRMAN raised the question of the refugees. The Arab Governments, he said, were unwilling to discuss other problems until that one had been settled satisfactorily. He expressed the earnest wish of the Commission to see the Government of Israel maintain an open mind on the question, as a first step toward the establishment of peace.

The FOREIGN MINISTER informed the Commission that the readiness of his Government-to readmit a certain number of refugees would depend on the nature of the peace settlement and could not be determined in advance. He pointed out that the State of Israel had changed its line of development as a result of the Arab exodus and there was now a completely different concept of the State than if a compact Arab minority had remained. The Foreign Minister declared that his Government could not accept the abstract principle of the right of individuals to return to their homes if they wished to do so, although it was prepared to accept the proprietary rights of the refugees. The problem, he maintained, could only be solved collectively. If Israel could feel convinced that the Arabs were genuinely willing to live in peace, it might be prepared to make concessions; but as long as that remained an unknown factor Israel could not commit itself.

The CHAIRMAN understood the reluctance of Israel to commit itself but pointed out that an acceptance in principle of the right of the refugees to return would be most helpful. The solution of the problem of the refugees, he said, might well be the key to the whole of the negotiations for peace.

The Chairman observed that the Arab Governments had shown a genuine desire for peace and that their apprehensions with regard to the intentions of Israel seemed greater than those of Israel towards the Arabs. The Chairman felt that an initial display of magnanimity on the part of Israel with regard to the refugees would establish a sound basis for negotiation.

The FOREIGN MINISTER replied that only by direct contact could such fears be dissipated. At Rhodes, for example, the Israeli delegation had convinced the Egyptians not only of Israel’s sincere desire for peace and stability but also of its lack of any aggressive intentions towards Egypt. Such personal, direct contact had had the effect of dispelling apprehension and fear and had paved the way for peace negotiations. It was the sincere wish of the Foreign Minister that such a meeting should take place if the Arabs genuinely desired peace and if they were willing to treat with the Government of Israel on a basis of equality. If, on the other hand, the Arabs did not want peace it would be impossible to speak of repatriation of the refugees.

The CHAIRMAN said that the refugees had become an internal problem for the Arab countries and a source of political unrest. He explained that the Commission was considering calling a meeting of the Arab countries to formulate a plan for the solution of the refugee problem, in the hope of breaking the existing deadlock. If the Government of Israel would be ready to make a gesture accepting in principle the right of the refugees to return to their homes, it would greatly facilitate such a meeting.

The FOREIGN MINISTER repeated that his Government was not prepared to proclaim formal acceptance of the principle of return of the refugees. He wondered whether by formulating at this stage a concrete view concerning the refugees, Israel would actually be helping the peace. He felt that the main factor in a solution of the problem would be resettlement of the refugees elsewhere, and repeated that the proportion of those who would be permitted to return would depend on the nature of the peace.

With regard to the proposed Arab conference, the Foreign Minister drew attention to the danger that the Arabs might take a strong line from which they would find it difficult to withdraw. The Foreign Minister said that he, on his part, would prefer to submit a practical plan to the individual Arab Governments.

With regard to Jerusalem, the CHAIRMAN informed the Foreign Minister of the Committee which had been established by the Commission to deal with the question, and expressed the hope that Israel would submit its full views on the matter or would appoint someone to collaborate with the Committee.

The FOREIGN MINISTER agreed to comply with this request and promised to inform the Commission within the next week of his Government’s decision with regard to the possibility of its making a conciliatory statement on the question of the right of the refugees to return to their homes.

A/AC.25/SR/G/14
24 February 1949

Original: English

President Chaim Weizmann’s address opening the 1st session of the Israeli Constituent Assembly

“It is with a feeling of deep reverence and consecration that I rise to open the Constituent Assembly of the state of Israel the first Knesseth Israel of our time in this eternal city of Jerusalem.

“This is a great moment in our history. Let us give thanks and praise to the God of Israel, Who in His mercy, granted us the privilege of witnessing the redemption of cur people after centuries of affliction and suffering. Today’s event issued from the great awakening of national will that aroused our people in the last few generations. The first signs came about 70 years ago.

“The best among our people, men whose names were then unknown, arose to lead their generation towards fulfillment of the dream of all generations, towards the return to Zion and the restoration of Jewish nationhood.

Those who strove to realize this dream took two paths. The first was the way of spiritual revival and the return to the wellspring of Jewish tradition, the | renewal of the Hebrew language and literature, the gathering of the scattered forces of our people Into one bond, the public proclamation of our historic rights and the enlisting of help and support from the rulers of nations.

“Two gatherings mark decisive steps on this road the Katowice conference and the first Zionist Congress. The first conference led to the creation of the World Zionist Organization workshop where the vision hammered itself Into reality, and to the establishment of the Jewish Agency as the Zionist movement’s supreme political organ and the Instrument of colonization.

“Following this path, we secured the Balfour Declaration, the first external recognition of our right to settle as a nation in the land of our fathers.

“The second path, that of practical action, of carrying out things, was the, path taken by those who could not wait any longer for the nation to gird up its strength in exile and for others to recognize their rights.They thought to force God’s hand, as it were; theirs was the daring to go up to the land to try to hasten the redemption of their people by their own handiwork and by the sweat of their brows and by their life’s blood.

“These were the first pioneers the Biluim and all who followed the flag to carve out the road of return and to lay the stone on which the future would be built. In their footsteps came a new generation of immigrants to settle on the land, until the Yishuv was created.Those who took the second path also erected an organizational structure, institutions of self-government, local councils in towns and townships and assemblies of the new Jewish community, the Assefath Banivcharim and the Vaad Leumi, which also has its seat In this “building.

“It is a good while now since the two paths converged and like two members of one body helped reinforce each other until the great day nine months ago the fifth of Iyer 5708, 14 May 1948 when we proclaimed independence and the establishment of the state. The union of two friends was now completed

Then, compassed about as we were with blood, fire and pillars of smoke, with the Arab war waged against us from without and within our own house, with chaos bequeathed us by the Mandatory, we were not able to hold elections to lay the permanent foundations of our state. A provisional government was set up, comprising a legislature and an executive whose authority was derived’ from earlier elections. In this provisional government two former supreme institutions the Jewish Agency executive and the Vaad Leumi Joined together and were fused into one.

“Today we stand on the threshold of a new era. We leave the dawn light of provisional authority and enter the full sunshine of ordinary democratic rule. this Assembly was elected by a body of citizens. In the elections the will of the entire people was fully and freely expressed. From the outset we are building on solid foundations of freedom, equality, collective responsibility and national self-discipline.

“It was no longer an isolated band of pioneers who elected this Assembly, but an Independent nation dwelling in its own, free country. This nation is being conceived as a gathering in of the exiles, for there is not a Jewish community through that the world whose members have not a share in the state of Israel.

“Every day, to our hearts Joy, tens of thousands of our brethren from countries near and far are entering the gates of the country which stand wide open to receive them. It is our whole prayer that this gathering of exiles will increase and embrace an ever-larger multitude of our people who will strike roots here and work side by side with us in building the state and making our unproductive places “fruitful again. We will make this our goal before all else, to devote to it our best powers of thought and action.

“Heavy indeed is the responsibility laid on us in this Assembly. What we began nine months ago on the same date, we bring to completion tonight the restoration of the realm of Israel. If we are using stats forms molded by the experience, of the enlightened nations of the modern world, we know truly that these forms contain its treasured essence of the heritage of Israel.

“In the ancient world this tiny country of ours raised the standard of spiritual revolt against the rights of tyranny and brute force. The law of Israel and the vision of her prophets sounded a new epic of relations between man and man, a new ordering of human society. The authority of the King of Israel was limited by law and tradition; The prophets of Israel did not fear to utter rebuke and reproof to kings or princes, and with inspired words forged weapons to defend the poor and oppressed, stranger and slaves, and the orphan and the widow.

“The very principle of the institution of kingship was hateful to the spiritual leaders of the people. I will not rule over you nor shall my son rule over you. The Lord shall rule over us,’ declares the judge to the assembled people. The warning of the prophet against the dangers of tyranny thunder from on high to the ears of people to our last generation. “In Israel, this authority of one man was derived from the noble conception that people are naturally free and are freely accepting the rule that law and use judgment do not need compulsion from above to live as ordered by society. The root of the principle of the constitution of that novel state was the limit set for the authority of the king and in this sense the ancient Hebrew policy was the mother of constitutional government in the modern age,

“And now it has fallen to our generation to cement anew the links of that life of freedom that were snapped by tyranny’s force nearly 1,900 years ago. I do not know why it is precisely our generation that has been privileged to bring about what many generations before us longed for in the exiles of darkness. Unless we earned it by all the hardships, weariness, sorrow and tribulation that have been our portion during the past 70 years, when one-third of our nation was annihilated.

“We suffered torture and affliction as no other nation in the world and be-cause we are a remnant—and no more than a remnant—double and treble responsibility lays upon us to fill the terrible void in our national life.

“It is our people who once gave the whole world the spiritual message fundamental to civilization. The world is watching us now to see which way we choose for ourselves in ordering our lives, and is listening to hear whether a new message will go forth from Zion, and what that message will be. The new message was not born without travail and our creative spirit. The creative force of our nation will soon meet the new, serious challenge. The Assembly is called on to frame the will for the supreme test. Let us strive in search of the basis of human life. Let us build a new bridge between science and the spirit of man.

“This day is a great day in our lives. Let us not be over-arrogant if we say that this is a great day in the history of the world. In this hour a message of hope and good cheer goes forth from this place in the Sacred City to all oppressed people and to all who are struggling for freedom and equality. From this place we send fraternal blessings to our brethren throughout the world and to all states, great and small, that have recognized Israel.”

Knesset Members, I congratulate you on your first meeting. Remember that the eyes of the whole Jewish world are upon you, and that the yearning and prayers of past generations accompany you. May we all be worthy of this great moment and this immense responsibility.

Before we start our labors, let us remember the leaders and teachers of the nation, the founders of the (Zionist) movement and the commanders of our enterprise, whose vision and deeds have brought us to this moment. We reverence in particular the leader of the movement, the creator of political Zionism, Theodor Herzl; his colleague, the defender of his people, Max Nordau; Nahum Sokolow; our teacher and preacher, Ahad Ha’am; the genius of our poetry and our national culture, Chaim Nachman Bialik; the reviver of our Hebrew language, Eliezer Ben Yehuda; the pillar of devotion to Zion, Menahem Ussishkin; the flower of American Jewry, Louis Brandeis; and the great benefactor, the father of Jewish settlement, Edmond de Rothschild.

We remember all our brethren in this country and in the Zionist movement who have passed on without witnessing this day with us. We stand to attention and honor the memories of our precious and beloved children, those young heroes, who died so that the State of Israel might be established.

The First Knesset of the State of Israel is convened.

14 February 1949 (15 Shevat 5709)
Jewish Agency Building, Jerusalem, 4 p.m.

Compiled from several English sources. Original Hebrew will be posted at a later date. 

Letter to the Editor

February 6, 1949

The Editor, The Palestine Post

Sir, — Mr. Bevin appears to hold the Jews responsible for the flight of the Palestine Arabs. Although the Israel military forces destroyed certain Arab villages and carried out wholesale transportation of their occupants, yet the primary responsibility for the panicky flight of the Arabs is the British Government’s. Whether intended or not, there can be no doubt that the mischief originated from the conduct of the British, and not from the attitude of the Israeli Government.

There is ample evidence for this statement.

The sequence of occurrences showed that the British Government had no intention or desire to enforce law and order, and that Palestine Administration was labouring to create an atmosphere permeated with fear and alarm. No effective measure was adopted by the authorities, civil and military, to ensure safety. On the contrary, they encouraged disorder and disobedience of the law, and countenanced insubordination. They allowed a large force of armed Arabs to infiltrate into the country, and to roam about with impunity. Palestine was virtually converted into two antagonistic armed camps under the eyes and nose of the Mandatory Power. Huge quantities of arms and ammunition were openly smuggled in, and recruiting and drilling of combatants became conimonplace events. …

Secondly, the idea that the Arabs should quit their homes was advanced, sponsored and propagated by the British. The Government of Palestine granted its officers three months’ pay in advance, and facilitated the departure on leave of Arab officers to adjacent territories. British companies, such as the Iraq Petroleum Company, and Steel Bros. & Company, unnecessarily transferred a part of their offices and the majority of their Arab employees to the Lebanon. And generally, the attitude of the responsible British authorities was such as to infuse into the minds and hearts of the Arab population a feeling of consternation and the belief that their departure was a logical necessity , or, at least, a prudent precaution.

Thirdly, it was the British, and not the Jews, who first put into effect the dislodgement and deportation of the Arab population. When conditions in Tiberias, where the friendly relations between Arabs and Jews formed a bright illustration of the possibility of the two communities co-operating, became acute, the British authorities forcibly transported the Arab inhabitants en masse to Trans-Jordan. They did not take any action toward pacification and restoration of peace and order. It was their evident duty to do so;- but instead of discharging their obligation with honesty and dignity they discarded it with ignominy, and compelled the Arabs to abandon their homes and belongings and seek refuge in the contiguous Arab territory.

Yours, etc.
E .N. KOUSSA

Elias N. Koussa was a well known and respected Arab lawyer in Haifa and former member of the Arab emergency committee

President Truman signs the order granting de jure recognition to Israel in presence of Frank Goldman, National President of the B’nai B’rith, Maurice Bysgyer, National Secretary of B’nai B’rith, and Eddie Jacobson, his former business partner and friend.