"1948 Israeli War of Independence" Topic

Curious to know, Britain very strongly supported the creation of the modern Jewish state, yet placed an embargo on weapon sales to the country when it was attacked by its Arab neighbors and even went so far as to openly support the Arab states against Israel. Any thoughts or insight?

Oil??

just like today! oil.

The UK was in a precarious position being allies to both sides of the conflict.

My personal view, despite supporting the creation, I think they favored the oil moreso than a free Israeli state.

They did more than just embargo weapons, in the years leading up to the war they hampered migration of holocaust survivors and from nations that had pogrom outbreaks (not meaning those nations specifically – meaning from all nations – even those that were in pogrom mode.)

And while maybe a case can be made that they were trying to "manage" immigration, I think that the oil and appeasing the interests of those whose land the oil was on was still the primary concern.

In favor, yes. "Strongly" in favor, no. YMMV.

The restriction on Jewish immigration was an effort to appease the Arabs. Then there is also the fact that the future leaders of Israel led a campaign of freedom fighting/terrorism against the British. It is a very complicated situation and any attempt to over simplify it does not do it justice.

Although there were sympathetic British soldiers that turned a blind eye to kit walking out of depots to aid the Israelis just before independence was declared.

I find the '48 War a very interesting subject. Have war gamed it on many levels with board games …

Try reading Menachim Begin's book, The Revolt, on the birth of the State of Israel. The British were anything but innocent victims in the conflict. The Jews did not start the violence, either.

Israel had been a protectorate of Britain for many years, and Britain was still operating in colonial mode in 1948. It is an interesting read. Cheers!