by Amy Rebeiro

Created on: June 11, 2010

Israel became a recognized state after WWII in the late 1940's. After the acknowledgment of the Holocaust, there was a large influx of Jews who moved to Israel either from the United States or Eastern European nations. Pre WWII there was already a large settlement of Jews from Eastern Europe who had moved to Israel during the late 1800's. Iran, as well as many other Nations, have brought to question Israel's right to exist.

Eastern Europe was riddled with violent crimes against Jews during what is known as the Pogroms. Fievel, the mouse from Russia, in a cartoon by Steven Spielberg, is a great illustration of what was occurring in Eastern Europe in the 1800s. Many fled to the United States, as well as many others who moved to Israel.

At this time, Israel was known as Palestine, and was colonized by Great Britain. It was an English Colony. Jews fled Europe to the Americas, as well as to Israel because they had no where else to go, but during the Holocaust, both the English in Israel, and the United States closed their doors to immigration.

Because of these nations isolationist approach, more Jews died during the Holocaust than would have otherwise. Many argued that because of this realization, guilt guided the creation of the Jewish State. Jews specifically wanted Israel because of its biblical significance, although they were offered land in Africa at the time.

Israel known as the Jewish State, is also a sacred area to Christianity and Islam. There is no question that the internal struggle within Israel has sparked heated debate in the press. The conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians has been going on long before Israel became a State. But, much of the issues occurring in the press today was brought to light after Israel was given State recognition.

Before Israel became an independent nation, Great Britain promised both the Jews and the Palestinians independence and ownership of what is now known as Israel. Both peoples were given documentation of this promise. Obviously, two nationalities cannot equally own a single nation and call it their own. But after World War II, the United Nations voted for the recognition of a Jewish State to be called Israel and Palestinians lost the nation status battle.

Only after Israel became independent did other Jews, who were being pushed out of other Middle Eastern Nations, moved into Europe. Jews were kicked out of Egypt, Iran, Yemen, Iraq, and many other countries purely because they were Jews. If Jews did not leave

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