ABSTRACT
This chapter shows graphically how political boundaries in the Arab world and the composition of the population of Palestine/Israel have changed over the period. The 1948 war left Israel with boundaries more generous than those of the UN plan, which the Jews had accepted. After the 1956 war, international pressures forced Israel back to the 1949 lines. After the 1967 war Israel announced the incorporation of Jordanian Jerusalem into Israel. On the few occasions now that Israel has defeated the Arab states in war she has sought to enlarge her territory, thus lending credence to Arab charges of expansionism. Yet apart from Jerusalem, Israel seems to be interested in further territorial acquisitions only for strategic reasons. Israel needs a shorter frontier, which occupation of the west bank of the Jordan would provide. Israel also needs greater security from Syrian attacks, which occupation of the Golan heights would ensure.
