Fact Check: The Arabs attacked the Jews first.

The Claim: "The Arabs attacked the Jews first."

Introduction

The assertion that "the Arabs attacked the Jews first" pertains to the complex and contentious history of the Arab-Israeli conflict, particularly focusing on the events leading up to and during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. This claim suggests that Arab forces initiated hostilities against Jewish communities prior to the establishment of the State of Israel. Understanding this claim requires a nuanced examination of historical events, the context of the conflict, and the perspectives of various stakeholders involved.

What We Know

1. UN Partition Plan: On November 29, 1947, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 181, which proposed the partition of Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states. This resolution was met with mixed reactions; while Jewish leaders accepted it, Arab leaders rejected it, leading to increased tensions and violence in the region 16.

2. Escalation of Violence: Following the UN resolution, violence escalated between Jewish and Arab communities. Notably, a series of riots and attacks occurred, with significant incidents reported in December 1947 and early 1948. According to some sources, the first large-scale assaults against Jewish communities began on January 9, 1948, when approximately 1,000 Arabs attacked Jewish settlements in northern Palestine 10.

3. Civil War Phase: The period between the UN resolution and the declaration of the State of Israel on May 14, 1948, is often characterized as a civil war, with both Jewish and Arab groups engaging in hostilities. This phase saw numerous attacks from both sides, complicating the narrative of who initiated the conflict 27.

4. Arab Invasion: After Israel declared independence on May 14, 1948, neighboring Arab states invaded the newly established state. This marked the formal beginning of the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, which lasted until 1949 58.

Analysis

The claim that "the Arabs attacked the Jews first" can be interpreted in various ways, depending on the specific historical context being referenced.

• Source Reliability: The sources cited provide a range of perspectives on the conflict. For instance, the Office of the Historian and Britannica are generally regarded as reliable academic sources, providing well-researched historical accounts 17. However, Wikipedia, while useful for initial research, can be edited by anyone and may contain biases or inaccuracies, especially on contentious topics like the Arab-Israeli conflict 24.

• Bias and Perspective: The Jewish Virtual Library, which supports the claim that Arabs initiated violence, is affiliated with Jewish organizations and may present a perspective that aligns with specific political agendas 10. In contrast, other sources, such as the BBC, strive for a more balanced overview but may still reflect the complexities and biases inherent in reporting on such a polarizing issue 5.

• Methodological Concerns: The assertion of who attacked first is complicated by the nature of the conflict itself, which involved a series of retaliatory actions and escalations from both sides. The lack of a clear demarcation of "first" in a context of ongoing violence makes definitive claims problematic. More detailed accounts of specific incidents and their contexts would enhance understanding.

• Conflicting Narratives: The historical narrative surrounding the Arab-Israeli conflict is deeply polarized. While some narratives emphasize Arab aggression, others highlight the context of Jewish self-defense in response to attacks. This divergence illustrates the importance of critically evaluating sources and recognizing the potential for bias.

Conclusion

Verdict: Partially True

The claim that "the Arabs attacked the Jews first" is partially true, as there is evidence indicating that violence did escalate from Arab groups against Jewish communities following the UN Partition Plan in 1947. Notably, significant attacks against Jewish settlements occurred in early 1948, suggesting that Arab forces were involved in initiating hostilities. However, this assertion is complicated by the context of ongoing violence and retaliatory actions from both sides during this period, which blurs the lines of who initiated the conflict.

It is important to recognize that the historical narrative surrounding this claim is highly polarized, with differing interpretations based on political and ideological perspectives. The evidence available does not provide a definitive answer, as the situation involved a series of complex interactions rather than a clear-cut initiation of violence by one side.

Moreover, the limitations of the sources and the potential for bias must be acknowledged. While some sources support the claim of Arab aggression, others provide a more nuanced view that includes Jewish responses to violence. This complexity underscores the necessity for readers to critically evaluate information and consider multiple perspectives when examining historical claims.

Sources

1. Office of the Historian. "The Arab-Israeli War of 1948." https://history.state.gov/milestones/1945-1952/arab-israeli-war
2. Wikipedia. "1948 Arab-Israeli War." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1948_Arab%E2%80%93Israeli_War
3. Wikipedia. "Terms for Palestinian citizens of Israel." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terms_for_Palestinian_citizens_of_Israel
4. Wikipedia. "History of the Arab-Israeli conflict." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Arab%E2%80%93Israeli_conflict
5. BBC News. "Israel and the Palestinians: History of the conflict explained." https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-44124396
6. Wikipedia. "1948 Palestine war." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1948_Palestine_war
7. Britannica. "1948 Arab-Israeli War | Summary, Outcome, Casualties, & Timeline." https://www.britannica.com/event/1948-Arab-Israeli-War
8. Britannica. "A brief history of Arab-Israeli wars from 1948 to today." https://www.britannica.com/summary/Arab-Israeli-wars
9. Britannica. "Arab-Israeli wars | History, Conflict, Causes, Summary, & Facts." https://www.britannica.com/event/Arab-Israeli-wars
10. Jewish Virtual Library. "Myths & Facts Partition and the War of 1948." https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/myths-facts-partition-and-the-war-of-1948