The Israeli Expansion and Occupation of Palestinian Lands: A Detailed Analysis

Since the UN partition plan divided Palestine, Israel has been accused of expanding its territory beyond the allocated boundaries. This article examines the extent of Israeli expansion and occupation of Palestinian lands, drawing on historical sources and international analyses.

Introduction

The conflict in Palestine has a long history, dating back to the United Nations partition plan of 1947, which aimed to divide the region into Jewish and Arab states. However, Israel's actions over the following years have raised questions about its adherence to the agreed-upon boundaries and its treatment of Palestinians.

The Beginnings of Israeli Expansion

Israel's expansion into Palestinian lands can be traced back to the early months following the UN's partition plan. Moshe Sharet, a prominent Israeli leader, wrote about the Israeli military's aggressive actions.

Before the end of the British mandate in Palestine, the Haganah, the pre-state military organization of the Jewish community, began carrying out ethnic cleansing in various towns and villages. Notable examples include Jaffa and Acre.

According to The De-Arabization of West Jerusalem 1947-50, by the end of 1947, the Arab inhabitants of West Jerusalem had been forcibly removed, with Zionist forces settling Jewish immigrants and government officials in the formerly Arab houses. The text provides detailed accounts of the ethnic cleansing, including the Haganah's and Irgun militias' actions.

Occupation of Jaffa

One of the early objectives of the Israeli forces was the annexation of Jaffa. In accordance with the United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine, Israel decided to annex Jaffa in April 1948. The operation, codenamed 'Operation Ben-Ami', was launched on May 13, 1948, and involved capturing villages east of Acre, cutting off Jaffa from the interior. During the night of May 16-17, a mortar barrage was launched, and the following night, Jaffa surrendered.

The annexation of Jaffa was seen as a strategic move to ensure Israel's political independence and territorial control. The text states: "By incorporating Jaffa into the State of Israel, its political independence would thus be precluded."

Post-Independence Occupation

On May 15, 1948, the State of Israel was proclaimed, and the other Arab states joined the conflict almost immediately. By this time, West Jerusalem had already fallen into Zionist control. The Israeli army continued to capture land over the course of the 1947-1949 war.

Israel declared independence in the midst of civil war, and following the armistice in 1949, the armistice lines became the de facto border. However, these lines are not recognized as the permanent borders under international law, and negotiated changes are still ongoing.

Modern Perspectives and Acknowledgment

Despite the initial actions, Israel later admitted to the UN that it had occupied territories outside its mandate, considering these occupations as temporary. This acknowledgment reflects a growing recognition of the need to address the issues of land and borders.

Conclusion

The expansion and occupation of Palestinian lands by Israel began well before the official creation of the state and continues to be a subject of intense debate. Sources such as the diary of Moshe Sharet, historical accounts, and international documents provide a detailed picture of these events.