TFJ: The Birth of Israel

Series 2 Episode 9

There was no secure area in the section of the land allocated to the Jews where the Israelis had a geographic and demographic advantage. The embargo of weapons to Palestine made it difficult for the Haganah to arm its troops while the Arab armies had resources in Syria, Jordan and Egypt. Because of the fragility of the situation, and fear that the United States and other countries would not recognize the new Jewish state, Ben Gurion made a gutsy decision.

It was time for the Jews to go on the offensive and start capturing Arab towns, and mixed neighborhoods. This would be the first time that the Haganah operated not in a non-defensive capacity.

The Arabs managed to cut off Jerusalem from other Jewish areas leaving the city's 100,000 Jewish residents stranded in a chokehold. It was time to risk everything to liberate the city and at that crucial moment arms arrived for the Jewish fighters.

Edited and Produced by Alex Drucker

Learn more at TellerFromJerusalem.com

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