Fact Check: "Arabs rejected the 1947 UN plan of splitting the until-then British colony into an Arab and a Jewish state."
What We Know
The claim that "Arabs rejected the 1947 UN plan of splitting the until-then British colony into an Arab and a Jewish state" is supported by historical documents and analyses. On November 29, 1947, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 181, which proposed the partition of Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states, with Jerusalem under international administration. The Palestinian Arab leadership, along with neighboring Arab states, rejected this plan, viewing it as unjust and favoring the Jewish population, which had a smaller demographic presence at the time (United Nations Partition Plan, Milestones: The Arab-Israeli War of 1948).
The rejection was rooted in the belief that the partition disproportionately allocated land to Jewish immigrants, many of whom had arrived in Palestine in the years leading up to the resolution, while leaving the Arab population with less favorable territory. This sentiment was echoed in various historical accounts, including a summary on the Wikipedia page about the partition plan, which states that the Palestinian Arab leadership rejected the proposal outright.
Analysis
The sources confirming the claim are credible and well-regarded in historical scholarship. The United Nations Partition Plan document itself outlines the rejection by both Palestinian Arabs and surrounding Arab nations, describing their view of the General Assembly's vote as a betrayal. This primary source is essential for understanding the context and reactions to the plan.
The Milestones: The Arab-Israeli War of 1948 provides additional context by explaining that the Arab response included military actions aimed at preventing the establishment of a Jewish state, further illustrating the depth of opposition to the partition plan.
Moreover, the Wikipedia article corroborates these points, summarizing the rejection of the plan by the Palestinian Arab leadership and the broader Arab world. It is important to note that while Wikipedia is a secondary source, it compiles information from various credible primary and secondary sources, making it a useful reference for historical claims.
The reliability of these sources is bolstered by their alignment with established historical narratives and the consensus among historians regarding the events of 1947-1948. There is a consistent portrayal of the Arab rejection of the partition plan across multiple reputable platforms, including the BBC, which also discusses the reasons behind the rejection.
Conclusion
The claim that "Arabs rejected the 1947 UN plan of splitting the until-then British colony into an Arab and a Jewish state" is True. This conclusion is supported by multiple credible sources that document the rejection of the UN partition plan by Palestinian Arabs and neighboring Arab states, highlighting the historical context and motivations behind their opposition.
