1948 War for Independence

The 1948 War for Independence, also known as the first Arab-Israeli War, was the culmination of a political movement that arguably started in the late 19th century with the birth of the Zionism movement. The subsequent three wars (1956, 1967, and 1973) appeared to be one-sided and solidified the State of Israel. While their outcomes were never in doubt, the 1948 War was existential and the victory was never assured. We will discuss how the results led many to become outstanding military and political leaders in subsequent wars and in politics. We will gain insight into the causes of this war, study the political climate at the time while comparing it to today, and discuss leasons learned using the book 1948: A History of the First Arab-Israeli War by Benny Morris (Yale University Press, 2008). Although it is not a requirement, we strongly recommend reading the book The Jewish State by Theodor Herzl prior to the second session.