Fact Check: The Arabs started the first Arab-Israeli war after all invading following Israel's declaration of independence

Fact Check: "The Arabs started the first Arab-Israeli war after all invading following Israel's declaration of independence"

What We Know

The claim that "the Arabs started the first Arab-Israeli war after all invading following Israel's declaration of independence" is rooted in historical events that unfolded in May 1948. On May 14, 1948, the State of Israel declared its independence, which was immediately followed by military actions from neighboring Arab states. Specifically, five Arab nations—Egypt, Jordan (then Transjordan), Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq—invaded the territory of the former Palestinian mandate shortly after Israel's declaration (Milestones: The Arab-Israeli War of 1948). This military intervention was a direct response to the establishment of Israel, which the Arab League and the Palestinian Arabs opposed, as they viewed the UN Partition Plan as unjust (Press Release Announcing U.S. Recognition of Israel (1948)).

Prior to the declaration, tensions had been escalating due to the UN's 1947 Partition Resolution, which proposed dividing the territory into separate Jewish and Arab states. The Palestinian Arabs rejected this plan, leading to violence between Jewish and Arab groups in the region (Milestones: The Arab-Israeli War of 1948). The situation escalated into full-scale conflict once the Arab states intervened militarily following Israel's independence.

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim is robust and well-documented. Historical accounts confirm that the Arab states launched a coordinated military invasion against Israel immediately after its declaration of independence. The timing of the invasion—on May 15, 1948, the day after Israel's declaration—aligns with the assertion that the Arabs initiated hostilities (Arab–Israeli conflict, 1948 Arab-Israeli War).

However, it is essential to consider the context leading up to this invasion. The conflict was not solely initiated by the Arab states; it was preceded by significant violence between Jewish and Arab factions within Palestine, which had been ongoing since the UN Partition Resolution was proposed. The Arab forces aimed to prevent the establishment of a Jewish state, which they perceived as a threat to their national aspirations (Milestones: The Arab-Israeli War of 1948, Key Events in the Israel-Arab and Israeli-Palestinian Conflict).

The sources used in this analysis are credible and authoritative, including government archives and recognized historical references. The historical narrative is consistent across multiple sources, including the U.S. National Archives and reputable encyclopedias (Press Release Announcing U.S. Recognition of Israel (1948), Arab-Israeli wars).

Conclusion

The claim that "the Arabs started the first Arab-Israeli war after all invading following Israel's declaration of independence" is True. The evidence clearly indicates that the military actions by Arab states were a direct response to Israel's declaration of independence, marking the beginning of the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. The context of prior violence and the rejection of the UN Partition Plan provides necessary background but does not negate the fact that the Arab invasion followed Israel's declaration.

Sources

1. Milestones: The Arab-Israeli War of 1948
2. Press Release Announcing U.S. Recognition of Israel (1948)
3. Arab–Israeli conflict
4. 1948 Arab-Israeli War | Summary, Outcome, Casualties, & ...
5. Key Events in the Israel-Arab and Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
6. Arab-Israeli wars | History, Conflict, Causes, Summary, & ...