Figure 1.-- |
|
Atrocities were reported on both sides. Observers vary as to the extent and culpability, but there were atrocities committed by both sides. The most noted Arab attrocity occurred at the Kfar Etzion Kibbutz. The Kfar Etzion massacre was an act committed by Arab forces (May 13, 1948). The killings appear to be carried out primarily by Palestinian irregulars. The Aran Legion was also involved, but accounts vary as to what extent. The next day Israel declared independence. There are few other examples because most Jews moved out of the Partition Area assigned to the Palestinian Arabs. There are more claims of Israeli attrocities, mostly from Arab an Israeli revisionist sources. One problem with elvaluating these claims is that Palestinian irregulars commonly attacked Jewish civilians, often from Palestinian civilan populated areas. Thus it is very difficult to sort out actual attrocities from Israeli actions to protect civilians. The most commonly cited example of Israeli attrocities is Dir Yassin, this was one of the most important bases for the Arab forces trying to cut the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv road. The Arabs charge other attrocities occurred at: Yehida (December 13, 1947), Khisas (December 18, 1947), Qazaza (December 19, 1947), Al-Sheikh Village (January 1, 1948), Naser Al-Din (April 13-14, 1948), Abu Shusha (May 14, 1948), Beit Daras (May 21, 1948), Tantura (May 22-23, 1948), Dahmash Mosque (July 11, 1948), and Dawayma (October 29, 1948). The circumstances and events are disputed, largely because much of the writing is by partisans of the two sides.
Atrocities were reported on both sides. Observers vary as to the extent and culpability, but there were atrocities committed by both sides. Any source which suggests that either side was tottaly free of any guuilt in this area is simply not telling the truth and is a good test of the authors objectivity. The question becomes more of the prevalence of such actions. And here it should be remembered that there were more than two actors. On the Arab side there were Palestinian irregulars and the different Arab states that invaded Israel.
The most commonly cited example of Israeli attrocities is Dir Yassin. This was an Arab village that Palestinian irregulars fortified and used to cut the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv road. It was part of the Palestinian effort to drive Jews out of Jerusalem. Much of what happened at Dir Yassin is disputed. One fact that is undeniable, Dir Yassin was not a simple, innocent Arab village. Arab irregulars turned it into a strategic military stronghold. It was one of the most important Palestian stringpoints being used to cut off Jerusalem. Jewish irregular forces attacked the village to break the blockade (April 9). The following events at Dir Yassin are disputed. The basic charge is that the Isrealis killed over 100 Arab villigers at Dir Yassin. Estimates of the numbers killed usually fall between 107-120 villagers. There are higher estimates. We are not yet sure yet just what occurred at Dir Yassin. Arabs were killed there. There was a battle so this is not surpising. And as the Arabs fortified a village and used it as a base of military actions, it is not surprising tht civilians would be killed when the Israelis struck back. What is at issue is if Arabs were killed , both combatants and civilians after the battle. Some even charge that Israelis raped Arab women. We have not yet found a scholarly, unbiased source. The charges of an Isreali massacre was widely publicized at the time and was widely believed by the Palestinians. It is still used by Palestinian sources as an example of Isreali wa crimes. It has been contradicted by Arab eye-witnesses in a 1998 BBC interview [YouTube: http://tinyurl.com/3oh69l] Hazem Nusseibeh, an editor of the Palestine Broadcasting Service's has admitted that on the instructions of Palestinian notable Dr. Hussein Khalidi, he fabricated a false press release stating that at Deir Yassin atrocities were committed, including murder of children and rapes of pregnant women. Another interviewee, Abu Mahmud, also denied the atrocity and rape stories. The Dir Yassin charges while effective propaganda, actually backfired on the Palestinians. Nusseibeh explained to the BBC that the fabricated atrocity stories about Deir Yassin were "our biggest mistake". As a result, "Palestinians fled in terror". Large numbers of Palestian Arabs fled Palestine after hearing the atrocity claims. It was in effect the beginning of the Palestian refugee crisis and the foundation of the "right of return" campaign which complicates the current peace pricess.
The most noted Arab attrocity occurred at the Kfar Etzion Kibbutz. The Kfar Etzion massacre was an act committed by Arab forces (May 13, 1948). The killings appear to be carried out primarily by Palestinian irregulars. The Arab Legion was also involved, but accounts vary as to what extent.
The day after Kfar Etzion Kibbutz, Israel declared independence (May 14). There are few other examples of major Arab attrocities because most Jews moved out of the Partition Area assigned to the Palestinian Arabs. There are many small incidents of Palestinian irregulars attacking Israeli civilians.
There are more claims of Israeli attrocities, mostly from Arab an Israeli revisionist sources. One problem with elvaluating these claims is that Palestinian irregulars commonly attacked Jewish civilians. They commonly stahed the attacks in Arab villages and other Arab populated areas. And after the attacks they fled back into the Arab villages and melded into the civilian population. Often the civilian populations supported these attacks. Thus it is very difficult to sort out actual attrocities from Israeli actions to protect civilians.
Palestinian sources commonly charge that Israeli attacks on Arab villages were completely unprovoked. This is an absurd simplication of the conflict and very similar to Arab propaganda today. Obviously if the Arab stage attacks from their communities, the Isrealis had little alternative to respond. It should be noted that there were Arab villages that remained neutral. A good example is the village of Abu Ghosh. Mohammed Abu Ghosh after the War stated, "What we did, we did for Abu Ghosh, for nobody else. Others who lost their land, hated us then, but now all over the Arab world, many people see we were right. If everyone did what we did, there'd be no refugee problem .... And if we were traitors? Look where we are, look where they are."
The Arabs charge other attrocities occurred at: Yehida (December 13, 1947), Khisas (December 18, 1947), Qazaza (December 19, 1947), Al-Sheikh Village (January 1, 1948), Naser Al-Din (April 13-14, 1948), Abu Shusha (May 14, 1948), Beit Daras (May 21, 1948), Tantura (May 22-23, 1948), Dahmash Mosque (July 11, 1948), and Dawayma (October 29, 1948). The circumstances and events of each of these incidents are disputed, largely because much of the writing is by partisans of the two sides.
Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing Web Site:
[Return to Main First Israel-Palestine War page]
[Return to Main Israel-Palestine page]
[Return to Main 20th century war page]
[Introduction]
[Activities]
[Biographies]
[Chronology]
[Clothing styles]
[Countries]
[Bibliographies]
[Contributions]
[FAQs]
[Glossaries]
[Images]
[Registration]
[Tools]
[Boys' Clothing Home]