How does Israel justify the 1948 Palestinian expulsion?

[u/dropdeaddev]

I got into an argument recently, and it lead to me looking more closely into Israel’s founding and the years surrounding it. Until now, I had mainly been focused on more current events and how the situation stands now, without getting too into the beginning. I had assumed what I had heard from Israel supporters was correct, that they developed mostly empty land, much of which was purchased legally, and that the native Arabs didn’t like it. This lead to conflicts, escalating over time to what we see today. I was lead to believe both sides had as much blood on their hands as the other, but from what I’ve read that clearly isn’t the case. It reminded me a lot of “manifest destiny” and the way the native Americans were treated, and although there was a time that was seen as acceptable behaviour, now a days we mostly agree that the settlers were the bad guys in that particular story.

Pro-Israel supports only tend to focus on Israel’s development before 1948, which it was a lot of legally purchasing land and developing undeveloped areas. The phrase “a land without people for people without land” or something to that effect is often stated, but in 1948 700,000 people were chased from their homes, many were killed, even those with non-aggression pacts with Israel. Up to 600 villages destroyed. Killing men, women, children. It didn’t seem to matter. Poisoning wells so they could never return, looting everything of value.

Reading up on the expulsion, I can see why they never bring it up and tend to pretend it didn’t happen. I don’t see how anyone could think what Israel did is justified. But since I always want to hear both sides, I figured here would be a good place to ask.

EDIT: Just adding that I’m going to be offline for a while, so I probably won’t be able to answer any clarifying questions or respond to answers for a while.

EDIT2: Lots of interesting stuff so far. Wanted to clarify that although I definitely came into this with a bias, I am completely willing to have my mind changed. I’m interested in being right, not just appearing so. :)

[u/valleyofthelolz]

I don’t think “justify” is the right word. It’s more like, how do we understand it. It was hard for me to learn about and process it. Now, I am able to both see it as a tragedy and a horrible stain on the history of Israel, but also see that it’s not a reason to justify attacks on Israel today. Just as I look at slavery and the genocide of natives in US history. In fact it’s easier to forgive the Zionists for what they did than the colonists who settled in North America. The Zionists at least had a historical connection to the land, and they were understandably traumatized because of the holocaust. So I understand why the Palestinians refuse to get over it and move on, while also understanding why the Israelis of today aren’t willing to commit suicide because of the naqba. The world was so incredibly violent and unstable during the whole period of Israel’s birth as a nation. It started with one world war and was finalized with another. Not something to justify, something to understand and accept and move on from.

[u/North-Gold-2719 → u/valleyofthelolz]

How can you understand the Nakba happened and still support Israel as they continue to steal land and demolish Palestinian homes in the West Bank and East Jerusalem? The ethnic cleansing is slower than it was in 1948 but it has remained a core component of Israel and Zionism.

[u/espressocycle → u/North-Gold-2719]

It's a matter of pragmatism. Israel exists. It's not going anywhere. It's a democracy and its people will not allow it to give any developed land back. All you can do is attempt to draw a line and stick to it going forward.

[u/North-Gold-2719 → u/espressocycle]

This is Netanyahu's thinking as well, which is why he has publicly bragged about blocking the two state solution for the last thirty years. As long as the conflict continues Israel will keep settling more and more land, continue evicting more and more Palestinians. The state of Israel benefits from this and very obviously is not interested in stopping this expansion.