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The [[crusades]] led to the destruction of of these Jewish communities (including that of Jerusalem, where Arab Christians, [[Muslims]] and Jews were murdered indiscriminately by the Christian Crusaders) and the temporary expulsion of Muslims who refused baptism from much of what is now Israel. The fall of the last crusader kingdom in 1290 gave way to Mameluk then Ottoman domination of the territory, which lasted until the territory came under British mandate of Palestine in 1920.  

The [[crusades]] led to the destruction of of these Jewish communities (including that of Jerusalem, where Arab Christians, [[Muslims]] and Jews were murdered indiscriminately by the Christian Crusaders) and the temporary expulsion of Muslims who refused baptism from much of what is now Israel. The fall of the last crusader kingdom in 1290 gave way to Mameluk then Ottoman domination of the territory, which lasted until the territory came under British mandate of Palestine in 1920.  

The British and late Ottoman authorities permitted the resettlement of Jews from Europe, many of them looking to establish a Jewish state in the region, part of a movement called Zionism. In the last years of British mandate the number and strength of the Jews in Palestine increased, with many adopting extremely radical tactics to achieve there goal of an independent Jewish state. Terrorist organizations such as Irgun and Lehi attacked British and Arab targets, killing civilians of all faiths in the process. Britain's occupation became too expensive and they handed control to the united nations.  

The British and late Ottoman authorities permitted the resettlement of Jews from Europe, many of them looking to establish a Jewish state in the region, part of a movement called Zionism. In the last years of British mandate the number and strength of the Jews in [[Palestine]] increased, with many adopting extremely radical tactics to achieve there goal of an independent Jewish state. Terrorist organizations such as Irgun and Lehi attacked British and Arab targets, killing civilians of all faiths in the process. Britain's occupation became too expensive and they handed control to the united nations.  

[[Image:Mosque.jpg|right|thumb|Th Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem]]

[[Image:Mosque.jpg|right|thumb|The Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem]]

The UN came up with a partition plan, which was generally accepted by Jews in Palestine, but rejected by the Arab majority. Israel declared itself independent on 14 May 1948, which was followed by the invasion of Palestine by Arab nations, leading to the war of 1948. Israel won that war and has been independent ever since. Many Muslim inhabitants fled the new state, or were driven out by Israelis, which, along with immigration from the Jewish diaspora, led to the creation of a Jewish state in fact as well as name.

The UN came up with a partition plan, which was generally accepted by Jews in Palestine, but rejected by the Arab majority. Israel declared itself independent on 14 May 1948, which was followed by the invasion of Palestine by Arab nations, leading to the war of 1948. Israel won that war and has been independent ever since. Many Muslim inhabitants fled the new state, or were driven out by Israelis, which, along with immigration from the Jewish diaspora, led to the creation of a Jewish state in fact as well as name.