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Israel marked its fiftieth anniversary last spring, celebrating the occasion with festivals, fireworks, and memorials to the thousands who died serving their country. The occasion was both happy and sad for the citizens of Israel.
Jewish Reactions
For the Jewish majority, the fiftieth anniversary represented an opportunity to look back at the extraordinary progress the country has achieved since it declared independence in 1948. Israel’s Jewish population has increased almost tenfold in the past 50 years. In 1948 only about 170,000 Arabs and 650,000 Jews, many of them survivors of the Holocaust, lived in Israel. Today, Israel’s population numbers about 5 million Jews and 1 million Arabs. In 1948 Israel’s economy was based on agriculture, and the country’s physical security was precarious. Today, the economy is based on sophisticated high-tech industries, and it has by far the strongest military force in the region.
Palestinian and Arab Reactions
For the Palestinian refugees and the Arabs who live in Israel, the anniversary represents a time of bitterness.
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Both groups lived in what is now Israel before the state declared independence (see time line). Many remained in Israel. Others fled the country or were expelled by the Israelis during the war of independence and became refugees.
Agreeing on a solution to the Palestinian problem has proved difficult. The Palestinians believe they have been unfairly treated and want to establish their own state on land currently owned by Israel. Many Israelis fear the establishment of a Palestinian state, which they feel could jeopardize their security. Talks between the two sides over a solution to the problem have been logjammed for months.
- How has Israel changed in the 50 years since it gained independence?Answer
- What is the status of the peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians?Answer
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