LIFE in Israel in 1948 – Part 3

by Ben Atlas on August 10, 2009

There have been so much interest in the 1948 archive, so I decided to publish another installment. Pictures do speak better than words. The following are the photos taken by John Phillips, all in June of 1948.

The Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem after Jews left

Jewish woman and child receiving Arab-supplied bread at hospital

Priest walking past the Convent of Notre Dae du France which was damaged during fighting in the city

Jewish prisoner being escorted by Arab soldiers

Orthodox Jewish man preparing to evacuate Jerusalem

Stanton St. in Haifa completely deserted after the Jews drove out all the civilians

Women and children refugees evacuating the village of Zenin

A barge bringing Arab refugees to the dock in Haifa

A 13-yr-old Arab boy lying dead on street of Haifa

Dead Jewish Englishwoman lying on hospital floor after surrender of Jerusalem

Injured Arab soldiers lying on cots wayting to be evacuated in Haifa

Nurse treating wounded Jewish soldier in Jerusalem

An Arab child refugee waiting on the dock to leave Hafia

Dr. Moussa Husseini (4R), and a leader of Haganah forces, walking with Arab soldiers after signing the surrender of Jerusalem

Arab refugees in Haifa waiting to be ferried to an Arab city

An Arab guard checking a car at the road block

King Abdullah (C) and his party climbing the steps of the Dome of the Rock

King Abdullah (C) and his party standing in front of the Dome of the Rock

King Abdullah of Jordan (CL) and his party leaving Haram esh Sarif

King Abdullah (C) and his party attending a banquet during truce

King Abdullah Ibn Hussein (L) talking with Sir Harry Luke

Israel’s Foreign Minister Moseh Sharett (R) seated with members provisional govt, Golda Meir Israel while Israel Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion reads Proclamation of Nationhood. Jerusalem, Israel May 1948. Frank Scherschel

A Royal Marine searching an Arab

King Abdullah of Jordan (C) touring Jerusalem during truce

The following are all 1948 photos by Frank Scherschel. All these Frank Scherschel were taken in May.

Hurrying toward air raid shelter in Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv

Passenger Inspection Hal

Press conference given by Moshe Shertok (center).

Magen David Adom driving Jerusalem – Tel Aviv highway to go into action near Bab el Wad

Final patrol by British tanks pushes three rubble strewn streets of Jaffa intent on preventing any further fighting between Jews and Arabs before experation of mandate

Arabs drinking coffee and smoking Hubble-Bubbles

People running away from the watersfront during air raid in Tel Aviv

Christian family going to Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem

Municipal authorities of Jerusalem

Old City of Jerusalem

Photos licensed for personal non-commercial use only by LIFE.