| During the 1930's, Jewish settlers began immigrating into Palestine, causing conflict with the established Arabs. In May 1948, the United Nations recognized Israel as an independent nation, heightening the tensions in the middle east. What resulted was a variety of wars between the Arabs and the newly established Israel, beginning with the 1948-49 war. Instead of destroying the Israeli nation, this war established Israel as a power by adding to its territories along with increasing the hostile intentions the Arab nations held against Israel. These hostilities escalated until war broke out in the summer of 1967, ending six days later with an Israeli victory. Through the war, Israel expanded its borders to include the Gaza Strip, West Bank, Sinai Peninsula, Golan Heights, and the Eastern half of Jerusalem, which had been divided between Jordan and Israel after the 1948-49 war. |
