---
category: Major Conflict
end: 1949
location: Middle East
start: 1948
summary: Conflict following the end of the British Mandate for Palestine and declaration
  of the State of Israel, resulting in Israeli victory and the creation of the Palestinian
  refugee problem.
tags:
- Event
- Conflict
- Middle East
---

The Arab-Israeli War (1948-1949) refers to the conflict that began after the end of the British Mandate for Palestine and the declaration of the State of [Israel](/places/israel/) in May 1948. This war resulted in [Israel](/places/israel/)'s victory and the creation of the Palestinian refugee problem in the [West Bank](/places/west-bank/) and [Gaza Strip](/places/gaza-strip/). The [United Nations](/organizations/united-nations/) approved Resolution 194 after the war, directing that the refugees had to be given the option of returning to [Israel](/places/israel/) if they wished to do so.[^1]

The War of Independence, also known as the 1948 Arab–Israeli War, was fought in 1948 following the end of the British Mandate for Palestine. [Israel](/places/israel/)'s successful outcome in this war led to the establishment of the State of [Israel](/places/israel/). After this conflict, [Ernst David Bergmann](/people/ernst-david-bergmann/) became widely known in the international scientific community as a brilliant organic chemist and director of the chemistry division at the [Weizmann Institute of Science](/organizations/weizmann-institute-of-science/).[^1]

[^1]: Hersh, Seymour M. *The Samson Option: Israel's Nuclear Arsenal and American Foreign Policy*. Random House, 1991. Chapter 8.