After World War II, Europe and its people were damaged. As we’ve discussed millions of people were displaced from their homes and their countries. Many left defenseless, homeless and some left for dead. The United Nations and many other worldwide organizations worked hard, and sometimes not efficiently to help these people find a place to be or a place to work.
Right after the end of World War Two, Zionist men and women were coming into Palestine to try and make a life for themselves as refugees. In 1948, the Arab-Israeli’s began a war between the Arab and Israeli states. Many historians have written of this war, but for an Arab to write about it they must get the information directly from Arab archives, the release of this new material finally challenged the Zionist’s take on what had happened. (Shalaim, 288) Reading this, we learn that history comes from many different perspectives, and sometimes you aren’t given the whole truth. Israel is such a controversial state that has had many ups and downs throughout history. It has been an important area throughout history and the major religions of the world all have stakes claimed there.
People were displaced in Israel in 1948, just like people were displaced after World War II, not everyone was forced to flee, but many Palestinian people did and most of them ended up scattered across the Middle East and in other places around the world. Most people left their homes, and some left family and friends. War destroys things, regardless of who you are or where you are from. All throughout history we have learned about the destruction and the terror of war. Seeing the things that people go through, especially those who are displaced changes your perspective. Returning to Haifa, and Nakba, tell us the stories of people who returned to their homes, and the stories of those who were displaced. We see through research that the Zionist Jews, who were displaced in Germany and other European countries, will commit the same acts as those who displaced them to lay their claim on land. History is all about perspective of who is telling the story, after war, even the enemies you read about can also be displaced people.
Kanafānī, Ghassān, Barbara Harlow, and Karen E. Riley. Palestine’s Children: Returning to Haifa and Other Stories. Boulder, CO: Lynne Rienner, 2000. Print.
Sa’di, Ahmad H., and Lila Abu-Lughod. Nakba: Palestine, 1948, and the Claims of Memory. New York: Columbia UP, 2007. Print.
Shlaim, Avi. The Debate about 1948. N.p.: n.p., 2000. Print.
I really enjoyed that you connected the readings back to what we learned about displacement it illustrates how all of these phenomenons in history are connected and how history does not happen in a bubble. I also think it was interesting that you pointed out that there are two sides to each story and that sometimes we only get one side of it. Do you think this illustrates how history can be flawed and we should be critical of it?
I like how you died in the personal account of the readings into the broader historical theme for the week. The readings for this week were unique in the fact that they told more personal stories rather than just historiographical narratives. You did a good job of pulling out the key points of each article. The perspective and the importance of Palestine is vastly different between the Palestinians and the Israelis. As historians it is important to try to determine bias and look at the conflict from as neutral as possible stand point.
I agree that history is all about perspective. You wrote a great post and I agree on all of your points. Anyone is able to repeat what wrong things were done to them.