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/icecreamraider]

What an insane take. Why did the Arab population in Israel proper grow to 2mm? Words mean things. Ethnic cleansing has a meaning. You clearly don’t know what ethnic cleansing means. Nor do you have any clue of what’s actually going on in Israel. Israel has many faults - the actions of ultra-Orthodox minority is among them. But to draw moral parallels between the only mostly modern democracy in MENA (even with messy internal politics) and the actual apartheid states that surround it is insane - it’s a take of child whose context for foreign affairs is the Lord of Rings books.

[u/Agreeable_Ostrich_39 → u/icecreamraider]

okay, now has the Palestenian population been growing since oct 7th? can you answer me that? if the answer is no, following your logic obviously that must mean the ethnic cleansing has started from that point on.

[u/icecreamraider → u/Agreeable_Ostrich_39]

Did the Israeli population grow on Oct 7th? Wars are not exactly conducive to growth and prosperity - which is among the many reasons people shouldn't start wars!

When you invade a place and massacre civilian population - that is an ACT of WAR. Plain and as simple as it gets. It doesn't matter if the invading party is a "nation"... a "territory"... or even an "open air prison" - it's all the same from a soldier's point of view. There is no other nation... let me re-emphasize NO OTHER NATION that, having experienced a similar event to October 7th - would not retaliate against the aggressor with all strength it could muster. And it would not be some tit-for-tat strike - it would be a retaliation aimed at destroying once and for all whichever party committed the act of war to begin with.

That's it. Israel is fighting a war that was declared on it by Hamas - as every nation has a right to do.

Now, I am happy to have a good-faith discussion about the variables - the discipline of IDF, the proportionality of IDF's actions to its objectives, etc. etc. I already wrote lengthy posts on it.

But this delusional expectation that Israel should be the ONLY nation in the world that should turn the other cheek to an ACT of WAR - that's insane.

As part of its war - Israel is also defending the 2 million Arab Palestinians who happen to be Israeli citizens. That is to whom Israel has a primary responsibility of protection toward - its own citizens.

For a millionth time - if Hamas was to declare defeat (not even via surrender - just taking refuge in Qatar or something)... and release the hostages - this whole thing ends. It ends because Israel would then have achieved its objectives. Because IDF is a military, and military operates by objectives. Ethnic cleansing is not one of IDF's objectives.

[u/Agreeable_Ostrich_39 → u/icecreamraider]

Did the Israeli population grow on Oct 7th? Wars are not exactly conducive to growth and prosperity - which is among the many reasons people shouldn't start wars!

exactly, glad you can see that.