Episode 014: Israel's Early Wars - 1948, 1967, 1973

In the 14th episode of 'The One New Man', co-hosts Chris Kuehl and John Myers discuss significant historical events leading to the establishment of the modern state of Israel and its subsequent wars. The episode recaps with the British Balfour Declaration and the mandate that formalized it, followed by the restrictive British white papers, and culminates in the 1947 United Nations Partition Plan. The episode also delves into the Arab-Jewish conflict around the establishment of Israel. The UN Partition Plan's adoption leads to increased violence and celebration among Jews, with contrasting somber reflections from leaders like Menachem Begin and David Ben Gurion who anticipated future wars. Highlighted is the first war of 1948, including key milestones like the Kfar Etzion massacre and the formation of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The narrative transitions to the events and alliances leading up to the Six-Day War (1967) and the Yom Kippur War (1973), showcasing how Israel's unexpected victories reshaped political dynamics in the Middle East. These wars are reviewed through the perspectives of faith and the divine intervention believed by many to be aiding Israel. John explores King David's faith as a warrior, paralleling the miraculous triumphs in these wars, and emphasizes the importance of humility before God.