Empire 300. Gaza: The 1948 War (Part 10)
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Oct 20, 2025 
Eugene Rogan, a Professor of Modern Middle Eastern History at Oxford, delves into the complexities surrounding the 1948 War and its aftermath. He explains Britain's abrupt end to its mandate in Palestine due to postwar fatigue. The discussion highlights the differing tactics among Zionist factions, including the Irgun's violent campaigns. Rogan also addresses the UN's controversial partition plan, the massive displacement of Palestinians, and how Gaza transformed as a refuge for many. A thought-provoking insight into a turbulent historical moment!
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Why Britain Quit Palestine
- By 1948 the British mandate was exhausted economically and morally, making continued control untenable.
- That exhaustion and conflicting British aims accelerated the move to hand Palestine to the UN.
Diverging Zionist Strategies
- Zionism split into mainstream (Ben‑Gurion) and revisionist (Jabotinsky) wings with different tactics.
- The revisionists advocated an "iron wall" of force and inspired militant groups like Irgun and Lehi.
King David Hotel Bombing
- The Irgun bombed the King David Hotel in July 1946, killing over 90 people and shocking Britain.
- The attack turned Jerusalem into a security state and deepened British outrage and resolve to leave.
