The State of Israel

General Questions
#1

Dear Cecil:

While assuming that you're no Madeleine Albright (let's hope for your sake you have more going for you in the looks department) or Colin Powell (probably lacking something in the way of "commanding presence") I'd still be very interested to know your view of the modern state of Israel. I know that it was created by the United Nations in 1948, but what instigated the decision to do so, how was it enforced, and what was the justification for creating one group of displaced persons (the Palestinians) in order to create a homeland for another group of displaced persons ( the Jews)?
#2

Hi, M Peterson, welcome to the board. Cecil generally doesn’t answer things posted in this forum, but I think you’ll find some good information in the following previous GQ threads:

Palestinian-Israeli Crisis

Reparations to Israel

And these interesting Great Debates threads:

US allied with Israel, WHY?

How do you justify Israel’s existence, anyway?

#3

You might also check out the book A Peace To End All Peace by David Fromkin, which is a diplomatic history of the Middle East from the collapse of the Ottoman Empire after WWI to the formation of Israel.

#4

WOOHOO! Finally a chance to use this smiley: ;j

#5

Thanks for the information. I’ll check it out.