The Complex History of 1948

PART 1
Dual Narratives Concept
Video (0:00-2:01)

PART 2
Historical Background
Video (2:01- 13:19)

PART 3
U.N. Partition Plan
Video (13:19 – 15:54)

PART 4
Deir Yassin & Hadassah Convoy
Video (15:54 – 18:40)

PART 5
Israel Declares Statehood
Video (18:40 – 20:36)

PART 6
1948 War
Video (20:36 – 23:55)

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a deeply emotional and complex issue that often sparks strong opinions and debate. This video and accompanying resources explore the history and narratives surrounding the events of 1948 from Israeli and Palestinian perspectives. By exploring narratives of the complex history from both communities, we can promote greater empathy and understanding for Israelis and Palestinians.

How to use this guide
This guide is designed to enhance your students’ engagement with the video. You can pause at the suggested “Stop/Do/Discuss” points to explore key concepts through discussion and reflection questions provided for each section. Alternatively, you may prefer to show the entire video without breaks and use the discussion questions and activities at the end of this guide (“Summative Activities & Reflection”) for a comprehensive post-viewing discussion.

You can also utilize a flipped classroom approach, assigning the video (in full or in segments) for students to watch at home, then using class time to unpack ideas together through reflection, discussion, or hands-on activities. Choose the approach that best fits your students and classroom setting, whether it’s real-time engagement or a deeper dive after the video.

Discussion Questions

1. Historical Narratives: What is a Historical Narrative? How would you distinguish between history and narrative? Should they be understood as one and the same? When is it important to focus on one’s history and when should we focus on narratives?
2. War Names: This war is known by many names: the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, the 1948 War of Independence, War of Sovereignty, the War of Liberation, the Nakba, etc. Choose two and discuss how the choice of name shapes understanding of the conflict and its meaning for different communities. What other name might you add for this war? Why? Which name do you prefer when referring to this war? Why? How are the differing Israeli and Palestinian perspectives on 1948 and its aftermath reflected in the names each group uses to describe the war?

Learning Activities

1. Conflicting Promises and Agreements: Students will examine the conflicting promises and policies of the British Empire during WWI by looking at two key documents: the Hussein-McMahon Correspondence (1915) and the Balfour Declaration (1917). You can find the activity overview and guiding questions here.
2. Mapping the Conflict: Analyze maps to understand different perspectives on major agreements and proposals leading up to the 1948 War.

1. 1948: A History of the First Arab–Israeli War by Benny Morris
2. Arabs and Israelis: Conflict and peacemaking in the Middle East by Abdel Monem Said Aly, Khalil Shikaki, and Shai Feldman
3. Israel: A Concise History of a Nation Reborn by Daniel Gordis
4. Side by Side: Parallel Histories of Israel-Palestine by Sami Adwan, Dan Bar-On, Eyal Naveh, and the Peace Research Institute in the Middle East
5. The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine: A History of Settler Colonialism and Resistance, 1917–2017 by Rashid Khalidi
6. The Question of Palestine by Edward Said
7. Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor by Yossi Klein Halevi
8. My Promised Land by Ari Shavit