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UN Calls for Partition of Palestine

On November 29, 1947, the General Assembly of the United Nations voted more than two to one in favor of partitioning Palestine into two states, one Jewish, the other Arab. Arab leaders opposed the resolution and attacked Jewish settlements. The Jews fought back and the violence soon developed into a full-scale war. The following is an excerpt from the partition resolution.

 

 

 

The General Assembly . . . considers that the present situation in Palestine is one which is likely to impair the general welfare and friendly relations among nations;

Takes note of the declaration by the mandatory power that it plans to complete its evacuation of Palestine by August 1, 1948.

Recommends to the United Kingdom, as the mandatory power for Palestine, and to all other Members of the United Nations the adoption and implementation, with regard to the future government of Palestine, of the Plan of Partition with Economic Union set out below. . . .

3. Independent Arab and Jewish States and the Special International Regime for the City of Jerusalem . . . shall come into existence in Palestine two months after the evacuation of the armed forces of the mandatory power has been completed but in any case not later than October 1, 1948 . . .

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