What led the creation of the nation of Israel in the 1940s?
1 Answer
There were many factors.
Explanation:
At the end of the 19th century the Zionist movement was established to create a Jewish state. At that time Palestine was part of the Ottoman Empire. With Turkey's defeat at the end of World War 1 the territory became a League of Nations mandate under a 50 year lease of British control.
During the war the British government had made commitments to both Palestinians and Jews with respect to providing homelands, In the case of the Palestinians it was in return for supporting the fight against the Turks and in the case of the Jews the Balfour Declaration reflected British government thinking in return for financial support from Jewish banks for the war effort.
During the 20's and 30's tension rose in the area as both groups pressed the British government to honour their commitments. The situation was made worse by the coming to power of Hitler and the persecution of the Jews, many of whom attempted to flee to Palestine.
When World War 2 ended the UN took over the situation and partitioned Palestine into Israel and a Palestinian state. On May 14th 1948 the state of Israel came into being.
