The Role of the United States in the Creation of Israel

While David Ben-Gurion undoubtedly spearheaded the movement for an independent Jewish state, culminating in his declaration of Israel's establishment in 1948, the role of the United States in this pivotal historical event cannot be understated. Although the US did not initiate the move to create Israel, its unwavering support for the UN Partition Plan proved to be a decisive factor in its successful passage and, ultimately, the birth of Israel.

To fully comprehend the significance of US involvement, it is crucial to understand the geopolitical context preceding Israel's creation. Britain, holding Palestine under mandate since 1923, grappled with the increasingly untenable position of mediating between the Zionist aspirations for a Jewish homeland and the Arab population's resistance to such an idea. The 1939 White Paper, restricting Jewish immigration and envisioning a shared Arab-Jewish state, satisfied neither party. By 1947, facing escalating violence and recognizing the intractability of the situation, Britain relinquished its mandate, deferring the issue to the newly formed United Nations.

The UNSCOP proposal to partition Palestine into independent Arab and Jewish states, with Jerusalem under international administration, was met with vehement Arab rejection. The Arabs argued that the plan violated the UN charter's principles of self-determination, disregarding their historical presence and demographic majority in the region.

It is against this backdrop of intense regional tensions and international uncertainty that the US assumed a pivotal role. President Truman, soon after assuming office in 1946, signaled his support for the Zionist cause by approving the entry of 100,000 Jewish displaced persons into Palestine. This sympathy evolved into outright endorsement of the partition plan, a stance officially declared in October 1946.

The motivations behind Truman's steadfast support are multifaceted and subject to historical debate. Some scholars argue that moral considerations were paramount. The horrors of the Holocaust, exposing the vulnerability of the Jewish people and the urgent need for a safe haven, resonated deeply with Truman, prompting him to champion their right to a homeland.

However, strategic calculations also played a significant role. Accepting a massive influx of Jewish refugees was deemed economically burdensome and politically unpopular in the US. Supporting partition effectively shifted the responsibility for resettlement onto the international community. Moreover, the burgeoning Cold War influenced US foreign policy decisions. Establishing a pro-Western state in the strategically vital Middle East served as a bulwark against Soviet influence in the region. Domestic politics, particularly with elections looming, further incentivized Truman to court the support of the influential Jewish lobby within the US.

The US, however, went beyond mere rhetorical support. In the autumn of 1947, Truman, disregarding the State Department's cautionary advice, exerted significant pressure on UN member states to secure the two-thirds majority required for the partition plan's passage. This pressure took various forms, including diplomatic overtures, economic incentives, and even veiled threats. A particularly illustrative example is the telegram sent by 26 influential US senators to wavering nations, linking their support for partition to the approval of a substantial aid package then under consideration. Coincidentally, many of these nations reported experiencing pressure specifically directed at them during this period.

In conclusion, while the creation of Israel was the culmination of decades of Zionist efforts led by figures like David Ben-Gurion, the United States played an indispensable role in its realization. Driven by a complex interplay of moral convictions, strategic considerations, and domestic political realities, the Truman administration threw its weight behind the Zionist cause. US pressure on the international stage, particularly during the crucial UN vote, proved decisive in securing the passage of the partition plan, effectively paving the way for the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948. This pivotal event, however, sowed the seeds for enduring conflict in the region, a legacy that continues to reverberate to this day.


**Bibliography**

Pappé, I. (2010). The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine. Oneworld Publications.
Cohen, M. J. (2014). America and the Founding of Israel: An Insider's History. Open Road Media.