1948

Haim Hefer: Yes, It’s Possible

Haim Hefer: Yes, It’s Possible

This song was originally written as a poem by iconic Israeli poet, Haim Hefer, who served in the Palmach during the War of Independence, during the first truce of the

Why the Arabs were Defeated in 1948

Why the Arabs were Defeated in 1948

Published in Al Jazeera, a state-funded Qatari news network, this article explores the different explanations offered by historians for the Arab defeat in the Israeli-Arab War of 1948, known by Israel

The 1948 War Through Arab Eyes

The 1948 War Through Arab Eyes

Written by Salman Masalha, a Druze Israeli poet and writer, this article reveals the rhetoric published in Arab newspapers prior to the Arab-Israeli War of 1948, known by Israel as the

Natan Alterman: Elifelet

Natan Alterman: Elifelet

Performed here by the IDF for Memorial Day, this song, written as a poem by Natan Alterman in 1959 and put to music by Sasha Argov, tells the story of

Letters from Jerusalem: 1947-1948

Letters from Jerusalem: 1947-1948

This link provides a sample of letters that capture the spirit of the new country from the book “Letters from Jerusalem, 1947-1948” by Zipporah Porath, a young American woman who came to

A Detailed Timeline of the War of Independence

A Detailed Timeline of the War of Independence

From the Zionism-Israel Center advocacy website, this link opens up a thorough chronology of events from November 1947 – September 1949. In addition to information about the many events noted

Clash of Nationalisms: Arabs in Zionist Thought

Clash of Nationalisms: Arabs in Zionist Thought

From My Jewish Learning, this article by Scott Copeland, head of education for Onward Israel, explores the conflict between Jewish and Arab nationalist movements beginning in the late 19th century, as well as

Israel’s War of Independence: Background, Major Battles & Repercussions

Israel’s War of Independence: Background, Major Battles & Repercussions

This thorough article by Matt Plen,Chief Executive of Masorti Judaism in the UK, provides a relatively balanced overview of the historical background, timeline, major battles and outcomes of Israel’s War of Independence

The 35 Heroes of Gush Etzion (Video & Teachers’ Guide)

The 35 Heroes of Gush Etzion (Video & Teachers’ Guide)

This post provides excellent educational resources about the 35 soldiers who were killed during the War of Independence trying to bring supplies to the kibbutzim in the besieged Etzion Bloc

Israel’s Legal Founding & the War of Independence

Israel’s Legal Founding & the War of Independence

Created by PragerU, a Conservative American educational non-profit organization, this video (05:23) shows how the founding of the State of Israel, often accused of being illegitimate, was actually completely legal under international law.