A City in Distress: Nazareth under Israeli Military Rule 1948-1949
Keywords:
Nazareth, Israeli Military Government, War of Independence (1948 War), Israeli Military AuthoritiesAbstract
During the period of the British Mandate (1918-1948) Nazareth went through many changes. From being the center of a village district it became the main administrative center and place of residence of the Galilee district governor. In addition, the city turned into an important commercial and economic center for the Lower Galilee and valley region. Its rapid economic growth was reflected in an increasing range of commercial activity and expanding markets.
However, the situation changed with the outbreak of the 1948 war. The conquest of the city by the IDF on July 16, 1948 during the Dekel Campaign was carried out swiftly, without a battle and hardly any loss of life. The mayor and leading members of the city surrendered unconditionally to the commanders of the IDF forces. Since then, the growth and prosperity that had characterized it turned into immobility and hardship that continued for more than a decade.
Like the other Arab settlements and concentrated population areas that remained within Israeli borders, Nazareth was also subjected in 1948 to ‘Military Government in the Occupied Territories’. This government continued until 1966.
The article deals with the policy of the Israeli military authorities concerning the town, and how the town coped with the new situation during the first year— 1948-1949.
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