Sweet_Caroline,
et al,
There is not one single reason as to why the Arab Palestinian refugee columns formed, but a compilation of several reasons.
(COMMENT)
There is no question that a battle was fought at Deir Yassin. It is quite the matter of record that various elements of Jewish quasi-militia
[some believe Irgun Zevai Leumi (AKA: National Military Organization) were the culprits while others claim the Lohamei Herut Israel Zionist (AKA: Lehi or Stern Gang) were involved], attempting to breach the blockade of Jerusalem, fought a major engagement there. Whether all the stories are true, partly true, exaggerated - or not, may never be known. But the Mandatory put the matter on record in the 20 April 1948 Communication Received from United Kingdom Delegation Concerning Jewish Attack on Arab Village of Deir Yassin (9 April 1948) (
A/AC.21/UK/113 20 April 1948). It was an event serious enough for the Chief Rabbinate Council to issue a condemnation; and serious enough for the Haganah
(Later to become the IDF) to step in and take charge of the situation from the various elements of Jewish quasi-militia involved. The Haganah may have interfered with the proper (Jewish) Police Investigation of the incident. It was a perfect (anti-Jewish) event to amplify in the press on the part of the pro-Arab Palestinian movements. Again, not as a means of justification, but in the practical recognition that both sides had unfortunate events.
In the 20th Century, marked and scared by many wars, no major conflict had gone without some serious incident, of this nature, having occurred. I say this is, not a justification for such actions, but in practical recognition --- that in reality, incidents of this nature do occur and are used as a means to sling mud on the opponent.
- December 1947 – Small kibbutzim were subjected to attacks – Gvulot, Ben-Shemen, Holon, Safed, Bat Yam and Kfar Yavetz. Sixty-two Jews were murdered by Arabs around Palestine.
- December 30, 1947 – 39 Jews were killed by Arab rioters at Haifa’s oil refinery
- January 16, 1948 – 35 Jews were killed trying to reach Gush Etzion
- February 22, 1948 – 44 Jews were murdered in a bombing on Jerusalem’s Rehov Ben-Yehuda
- February 29, 1948 – 23 Jews were killed all across Palestine, eight of them at the Hayotzek iron foundry.
- January and February 1948 – Rishon Lezion, Yehiam, Mishmar Hayarden, Tirat Zvi, Sde Eliahu, Ein Hanatziv, Magdiel, Mitzpe Hagalil and Ma’anit were all subjected to attacks. Arab attackers also bombed The Palestine Post
- April 13, 1948 – 35 Jew were murdered during the Hadassah medical convoy massacre
As I've said many times, neither side has clean hands.
Most Respectfully,
R