1948 Arab-Israeli War (Independence War by Israelis, Nakba or Catastrophe by Palestinians)

The truth about the 1948 Arab-Israeli War — called “War of Independence” by Israelis and “Nakba” (Catastrophe) by Palestinians — was a pivotal and complex conflict that resulted in the establishment of the state of Israel and had lasting repercussions for the entire Middle East.

The war began following the end of British Mandate in Palestine and the United Nations' partition plan, which proposed dividing Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states.

Quillette's community manager, Zoe Booth, reads Benny Morris' essay.