On the morning of May 15, 1948, Israel declared its official independence; simultaneously several neighboring Arab states launched an invasion designed to prevent the new state from coming into being. This episode explores the contours of the war, revealing why Israel emerged victorious.  It also points out the consequences that followed for all sides, including the refugee crisis. Finally, the episode also highlight the Arab role in what became the total partition of Palestine - laying the foundations of the modern Middle East.

jump links:

Intro (0:50)

The Middle East context (4:06)

Strengths and weaknesses (6:53)

The War: part I (26:56)

Bernadotte & the First Truce (58:30)

The War: part II (1:07:07)

The War: part III (1:18:08)

consequences: the refugees (1:21:49)

consequences: existential Israel (1:35:22)

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