In 1917 Jews comprised less than 10% of the population of Palestine. Between 1918-1948, Britain helped an estimated 550,000 Jews, primarily from Europe, move into Palestine.
In 1947 the United Nations General Assembly proposed a non-binding recommendation to partition Palestine into two states: 53% for Jews, and 47% for Arabs. Jews at the time only owned 7% of the land. The Arabs rejected the plan.
In 1948 the British gave up their occupation, and leaders of the Jewish minority declared independence. More than three quarters of a million Palestinians were chased from their homes. Neighboring Arab countries sent soldiers to help defend the Palestinians, while US President Harry Truman recognized Israeli independence 11 minutes after it was declared.
By 1949 the Arabs and Israel reached a ceasefire. Israel ended up with 78% of Palestine. In the process, Zionist forces massacred hundreds of Palestinians, completely destroyed over 418 Palestinian villages, and many cities were cleansed of their Palestinian population.
In 1967, during the six day war, Israel launched a surprise attack on Egypt in which it occupied the final 22% of Palestine and parts of Egypt (since returned) and Syria. Israel also attacked a US Navy ship, the USS Liberty, killing over 200 American servicemen.
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