Israel in 1948 and the founding of the state
Israel declared independence on 14 May 1948, after the end of the British Mandate. The ensuing war brought statehood for Jewish Israelis and displacement and dispossession for hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, remembered as the Nakba. The history must be studied through primary documents, testimony and competing national narratives.
Background and historical context
Israel declared independence on 14 May 1948, after the end of the British Mandate. The ensuing war brought statehood for Jewish Israelis and displacement and dispossession for hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, remembered as the Nakba. The history must be studied through primary documents, testimony and competing national narratives. Understanding this subject involves its history, regional context and the experiences of people who lived through the changes.
Culture, society and significance
Israel declared independence on 14 May 1948, after the end of the British Mandate. The ensuing war brought statehood for Jewish Israelis and displacement and dispossession for hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, remembered as the Nakba. The history must be studied through primary documents, testimony and competing national narratives. Public institutions, cultural heritage and local communities continue to shape the way this topic is understood today.
Research and further reading
Consult primary sources, academic research, museum collections and reference works. Compare dates and interpretations, especially where political or historical claims are contested.