See full scan at the bottom of the page.
Throughout the 1970s, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) circulated pamphlets to influence global perceptions of the Arab-Israeli conflict. One such document, “Basic Facts About the Palestine Problem,” frames the establishment of the State of Israel as historically unjust and casts Israel’s subsequent policies as aggressive expansions into Arab lands. Structured as a rapid-fire sequence of “Do You Know?” statements, the text provides a crash course in the PLO’s view of what they deem an illegitimate partition of Palestine.
Historical Context
Rooted in the Arab–Israeli conflict that intensified after 1948, the PLO was founded in 1964 to represent and advocate for Palestinians’ national aspirations. By the mid-1970s, Israel’s control over land beyond its 1948 boundaries—particularly following the 1967 Six-Day War—was condemned by many Arab states. The PLO, seeking broader international support, produced literature like this pamphlet to bolster claims of displaced populations, historical land ownership, and perceived legal flaws in the United Nations’ partition plan.
The questions repeated throughout—“THAT…?” “DID YOU KNOW…?”—present a series of facts and figures curated to challenge what the PLO viewed as a one-sided Western narrative favoring Israel. By citing percentages of land owned, population data under Ottoman and British rule, and the official condemnation of Israel by various UN bodies, the pamphlet argues that Israel is neither legitimate nor abiding by international norms.
Strategy and Purpose
- Rapid-Fire “Facts” Presentation
The pamphlet leverages short, emphatic bullet points, each beginning “THAT…” or “DO YOU KNOW?” This rhetorical approach is reminiscent of a quiz, intended to catch readers unaware and spur them to question familiar narratives about Israel’s founding. - Legal and Diplomatic Framing
Multiple references to UN votes, the 1947 Partition Plan, and subsequent Security Council resolutions seek to portray Israel’s creation as an international anomaly. Accusing Western powers—especially the United States—of exerting political pressure, the text underscores the PLO’s stance that global opinion was coerced or misled. - Underscoring Palestinian Land Ownership
The pamphlet repeatedly cites high percentages of land purportedly owned by Arabs prior to 1948, with a minimal fraction “officially” held by Jewish immigrants. These figures are included to reinforce the claim that the State of Israel emerged primarily on Arab land. - Critique of Israel’s Regional Isolation
The text highlights Israel’s purported alienation within the “emerging world of Afro-Asia” and underscores that Arab states, along with several non-aligned nations, have questioned Israel’s legitimacy. This messaging aimed at aligning the Palestinian cause with broader Third World movements for decolonization.
Language, Imagery, and Symbolism
- Historical Tense and Moral Imperative
The repeated references to past colonial mandates, “occupation,” and “alien minority” leadership create a stark moral narrative. This historical lens suggests an ongoing injustice—one that demands correction. - Use of Ellipses and Italics
Interspersed ellipses throughout the text build suspense and highlight particular claims. Italics and bold headings give weight to emotive words like “Jewish State” or “bastion of democracy,” signaling the PLO’s skepticism toward Israel’s self-description. - Simplified Blame of Western Powers
The pamphlet insists the “Western powers” manipulate or sustain an “arms balance” in the Middle East. By grouping the U.S., Europe, and others as monolithic forces, it forges a stark us–them dynamic.
Longer-Term Impact and Relevance
As a piece of political advocacy, “Basic Facts About the Palestine Problem” exemplifies the PLO’s mid-20th-century approach to shaping international opinion. Such pamphlets sought to clarify (and politicize) the Palestinian narrative, encouraging sympathetic actors—particularly in Africa, Asia, and among non-aligned states—to support Palestinian self-determination.
Over time, the Arab–Israeli conflict deepened and pivoted through various peace initiatives, wars, and accords (notably the Oslo Accords in the 1990s). Yet much of the framing here—a focus on land ownership, condemnation of alleged Israeli aggression, and frustration with Western policy—still resonates in current debates. The pamphlet is a key artifact of how the PLO contested Israel’s legitimacy on the world stage, employing a fact-driven, accusatory style that has shaped public discourse for decades.
Special thanks to the USC Digital Imaging Lab for their support in digitizing this item.
