THE LEGAL OUTCOME OF THE FOUNDING OF THE STATE OF ISRAEL (PALESTINE) AND THE AGREEMENTS THAT MADE IT POSSIBLE!
- Gareth Speaks
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
At midnight on May 14, 1948, the Provisional Government of Israel proclaimed a new State of Israel. On that same date, the United States, in the person of President Truman, recognized the provisional Jewish government as de facto authority of the Jewish state (de jure recognition was extended on January 31, 1949).
The San Remo Conference, held in April 1920, was a post-World War I meeting of Allied Supreme Council members that determined the allocation of League of Nations mandates for the administration of former Ottoman territories in the Middle East. Specifically, it assigned mandates for Palestine, Syria, and Mesopotamia (later Iraq). The conference also addressed the implementation of the Treaty of Sèvres with Turkey and the execution of the Treaty of Versailles.
The League of Nations played a crucial role in the establishment of Mandatory Palestine, which later became Israel. In 1922, the League formally approved the Palestine Mandate, granting Britain administrative control over the region.This mandate incorporated the 1917 Balfour Declaration, which supported the establishment of a Jewish national home in Palestine. The mandate also aimed to protect the rights of the existing non-Jewish population.
The Balfour Declaration (1917):The Balfour Declaration, issued by the British government in 1917, expressed support for the establishment of a "national home for the Jewish people" in Palestine, while also emphasizing the need to protect the rights of the existing non-Jewish communities there. It was a letter from the Foreign Secretary, Arthur Balfour, to Lord Rothschild, stating that the British government viewed "with favour the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people". However, the declaration also included a clause that aimed to safeguard the civil and religious rights of the existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine.
In essence, the declaration endorsed the Zionist goal of establishing a Jewish homeland in Palestine while attempting to balance this with the rights of the existing Arab population. This delicate balance would later become a source of tension and conflict in the region.
The Oslo Accords offered Israel several key benefits, including the formal recognition of its right to exist by the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and a commitment from the PLO to renounce terrorism. The agreements also led to the establishment of the Palestinian Authority (PA) which took on governing responsibilities in parts of the West Bank and Gaza, and initiated a process of negotiations aimed at resolving permanent status issues such as borders, refugees, and Jerusalem. Furthermore, the accords boosted Israel's economic integration with the global economy by ending the Arab boycott on companies doing business with Israel.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Recognition and Security:
The Oslo Accords marked a turning point where Israel was formally recognized by the PLO, the main representative of the Palestinians at the time. The PLO also renounced terrorism, a significant step in addressing Israel's security concerns.
Establishment of the Palestinian Authority:
The accords paved the way for the creation of the Palestinian Authority (PA), an interim governing body for Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza. This allowed Israel to gradually transfer some administrative and security responsibilities to the PA.
Economic Benefits:
The Oslo process led to the end of the Arab boycott of companies doing business with Israel, allowing Israel to become more integrated into the global economy.
Negotiations:
The agreements also initiated a process of negotiations aimed at resolving the core issues of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including borders, refugees, and Jerusalem. These negotiations were intended to lead to a final status agreement and a lasting peace.
The United Nations recognized Israel as a member state on May 11, 1949, following a vote by the General Assembly. This came after the State of Israel was established on May 14, 1948. While the U.S. recognized Israel earlier, on May 14, 1948, the UN's formal recognition as a member state took place later.
As of June 2024, the State of Israel is recognized as a sovereign state by 164 of the other 192 member states of the United Nations. The State of Israel was formally established by the Israeli Declaration of Independence on 14 May 1948, and was admitted to the United Nations (UN) as a full member state on 11 May 1949. It also maintains bilateral ties with all of the UNSC Permanent Five.

Comments