TFJ: The Birth of Israel

Series 2 Episode 5

The Partition Plan which would have enabled the creation of a Jewish State was not looking promising. The American State Department was adamantly opposed, dampening President Truman's support. The Soviet's were in favor of partition, which presented a rare opportunity as with the Soviets came their satellite countries. It would take Dr. Chaim Weizmann with all of his wisdom and charm to convince President Truman to vote for partition and put the United States' weight behind it.

After the motion for Jewish statehood passed in the UN, there was rejoicing in Israel and in Jewish communities throughout the world. The Arab reaction was a wave of lethal violence. The Yishuv began making hasty preparations for war. The Etzion Block in the Hebron hills south of Jerusalem was besieged by Arab guerrillas. A relief column of 35 of Hebrew University's brightest students never made it to their comrades and were killed and mutilated by Khader el Husseini's soldiers.

Edited and Produced by Alex Drucker

Learn more at TellerFromJerusalem.com

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