Talk:1948 Palestinian expulsion and flight/Archive 21

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Haifa

As it currently is, the article only describes Morris' description of the psychological warfare as a factor. However, the quote is taken out of context, and later on, Morris states that

The Haganah mortar attacks of 21–22 April were primarily designed to break Arab morale in order to bring about a swift collapse of resistance and speedy surrender. There is no evidence that the commanders involved hoped or expected that it would lead to mass evacuation (though events in Tiberias four days before must have been prominent in their minds).

At the same time, the article ignores the Morris' description of the events of April 22, during which the Arab leaders decided to leave, despite being entreated by the Jews and British to stay. By the nightfall of April 22, there were still 30,000-40,000 Arabs remaining in the town. Therefore, I think adding this information is important. Amayorov (talk) 19:59, 9 July 2024 (UTC)

Per my comment in previous section, review all sources and see what the balance of them says, we don't need to get into the weeds on everything. Selfstudier (talk) 09:46, 10 July 2024 (UTC)

My concrete proposals are:

1. Follow up "According to Pappé, this mortar barrage was deliberately aimed at civilians to precipitate their flight from Haifa" with "while Morris disputes this claim"

2. Add the following sentence following Karsh's assessment.

Benny Morris agrees, while also acknowledging "an undercurrent of expulsive thinking."

2. Add the following paragraphs after "I am sending you posters in Arabic; disperse on route."

Truce negotiations between Haganah and the Arab leaders took place on April 22. Despite the Haganah's assurances that "Arabs will carry on their work as equal and free citizens of Haifa and will enjoy all services along with the other members of the community," the Arab representatives stated that "the Arab population wished to evacuate Haifa... man, woman and child." According to Morris, this led Jewish officials to (incorrectly) believed that the "unexpected exodus from Haifa" was part of a comprehensive Arab plot to "villify Jews".

From April 22 onwards, Morris states that there is "a surfeit of evidence" that the Arab leaders both ordered and encouraged the evacuation Both Morris and Karsh reference British and American intelligence reports, Alan Cunningham's assessment, personal memoirs, and Haganah's assessments, that "the Jews have been making extensive efforts to prevent wholesale evacuation," while the "total evacuation is being urged on the Haifa Arabs from higher Arab quarters and that the townsfolk themselves are against it." Regarding the reasons for the alleged Arab encouragement of the exodus, they speculate that it was to avoid "possibility of Haifa Arabs being used as hostages in future operations after May 15," and to escape "the gearing of Transjordan's armed force for a wholesale massacre"

3. Add this paragraph at the end.

Morris assess that the fall and exodus of Arab Haifa, given the city’s "pivotal political, administrative and economic role," was a major "precipitant" of the subsequent flight from other locations.

As always, I'm open to suggestions! Amayorov (talk) 22:29, 11 July 2024 (UTC)

Sounds reasonable. Alaexis_¿question? 22:22, 10 July 2024 (UTC)

Thanks! I've shortened it for conciseness. If there are no objections, I will be adding it in 12 hours. Amayorov (talk) 22:29, 11 July 2024 (UTC)

I've reformatted your references since {{r}} doesn't work inside <ref> tags. I've no objections to a different, more elegant solution. Best, Wham2001 (talk) 13:57, 13 July 2024 (UTC)

I don't have time to get into this right now but I strongly object to these additions. This is pretty blatant denialism being added to the article. IOHANNVSVERVS (talk) 05:53, 14 July 2024 (UTC)

@TarnishedPath Why did you revert these edits? Amayorov (talk) 06:33, 17 July 2024 (UTC)

Please see what I wrote in the below topic. I don't find Morris's Nakba denialism appropriate or WP:DUE. TarnishedPath^talk 06:38, 17 July 2024 (UTC)

You shouldn't revert the edits before discussing them.

Again, what I strongly object to is misrepresentation and selective referencing of Morris' work. You cannot quote a huge paragraph on him regarding Haganah's psychological warfare, while ignoring everything he says above and below it. Besides, Nakba denialism is a strange argument. Nobody denies that it happens, but as Wikipedia article, it should reflect the broad body of research about it, from world-leading academics. Selective quoting them is exactly what would make WP:UNDUE. Amayorov (talk) 06:42, 17 July 2024 (UTC)

Morris is already referenced in the article. You made substantial changes all based on his opinions. That's entirely WP:UNDUE. TarnishedPath^talk 06:50, 17 July 2024 (UTC)

He's referenced selectively, by placing emphasis on parts of his work, while ignoring everything he says below or after. This is clearly interferes with ensuring a WP:NOV. Do you have any argument for omitting parts of his work, rather than it being a supported Nakba denialism? Amayorov (talk) 06:59, 17 July 2024 (UTC)

Ps, there is no policy which requires that I not remove material before discussing it. Please consider WP:ONUS. TarnishedPath^talk 06:52, 17 July 2024 (UTC)

It also says

Neutrality requires that mainspace articles and pages fairly represent all significant viewpoints that have been published by reliable sources, in proportion to the prominence of each viewpoint in those sources.

Given that Morris is the most references author on this page anyway, selectively quoting him or ignoring him is WP:UNDUE. Amayorov (talk) 07:01, 17 July 2024 (UTC)

You make an argument for reducing the amount of quoting of the opinions of one specific source, not for increasing it. I don't think we're going to agree on this so I've posted notices on the three most relevant Wiki Projects talk pates and the Nakba article's talk page. TarnishedPath^talk 07:04, 17 July 2024 (UTC)

Can you link me to them? Amayorov (talk) 07:05, 17 July 2024 (UTC)

They are at the Israel WikiProject's talk, the Palestine WikiProject's talk, the Israel and Palestine collaboration WikiProject's talk and the Nakba article's talk. TarnishedPath^talk 07:20, 17 July 2024 (UTC)

I think we need more discussion here. Morris is quoted outrightly wrongly. An example is regarding the alleged Jewish National Committee's failing to give assurances to the Arab leadership during the truce negotiations in Haifa. In fact, Morris explicitly says that it was the Arab National Committee, which couldn't guarantee that no incidents would occur from their side.

I'm also against selective quoting and cherry-picking the bits to promote a particular view. For example, Morris (rightly) quoted on the Haganah's use of psychological warfare, the well-poisoning program, the expulsions from Lydda and Ramle, etc. At the same time, he's ignored when it comes to the Arab evacuation orders, that the Haganah's mortars didn't target civilians at Haifa, and plenty of other important instances.

I've seen people say that certain parts from Morris cannot be included because they're "Nakba minimising". We cannot separate a historian's work into "Nakba minimising" and "Nakba maximising", and only quote the latter, if we want to build a neutral unbiased encyclopaedia. Of course, any historians disagreeing with him should be included too.

@IOHANNVSVERVS @Wafflefrites @XDanielx @Iskandar323 @BilledMammal @Wham2001 Amayorov (talk) 11:34, 18 July 2024 (UTC)

Rather than assume that he is routinely selectively quoted, alternatives include that he is mentioned more where his input provides particular insight and less where his input may be contradicted by other sources. Iskandar323 (talk) 13:20, 18 July 2024 (UTC)

Regarding the first issue, I've added a {{cn}} tag to the sentence in question. If no sources are provided confirming it then it can't stay in the article.

Let's discuss selective quoting and cherry-picking on a case-by-case basis in dedicated threads, otherwise it's very hard to follow the discussion.

In any case the arguments for or against using a given source should be policy-based, e.g., that there is another reliable source saying the opposite. Alaexis_¿question? 20:58, 18 July 2024 (UTC)

I've added the uncontroversial suggestions 1-2. Regarding the truce negotiations and the Arab orders, which attracted most disagreement, I suggest opening a WP:RFC. Amayorov (talk) 18:38, 13 September 2024 (UTC)

Unconditional surrender at Haifa: gross misrepresentation

The article currently states

On 21–22 April in Haifa, after the Haganah waged a day-and-a-half battle including psychological warfare, the Jewish National Committee was unable to offer the Palestinian council assurance that an unconditional surrender would proceed without incident.

I cannot find this confirmed by any of the provided references, to Benny Morris or otherwise. In fact, Morris refers to the Haifa Arab National Committee (NC), who, in response to a truce deal, responded "that they were not in a position to sign a truce, as they had no control over the Arab military elements in the town and that . . . they could not fulfill the terms of the truce, even if they were to sign. They then said as an alternative that the Arab population wished to evacuate Haifa . . . man, woman and child."

That is the same Haifa Arab National Committee that, in communique number 7 (dated February 22 1948), and with approval from the Arab Higher Committee, demanded that the Arabs cease shooting and return to their regular workplace.

This is a gross misrepresentation that must be corrected. I suggest the following

On 21–22 April in Haifa, after the Haganah waged a day-and-a-half battle including elements of psychological warfare, the Haifa Arab National Committee was unable to accept the truce deal and decided to evacuate the town's Arab population.

As always, I'm looking forward to suggestions and corrections. Amayorov (talk) 13:51, 13 July 2024 (UTC)

The material at Battle of Haifa (1948)#The battle is correct? Selfstudier (talk) 14:21, 13 July 2024 (UTC)

Yes, Battle of Haifa (1948) makes no reference to the Jewish National Committee. However, it's ambiguous too. It refers to the "National Committee (Haifa)" that couldn't "guarantee that no incidents would occur." That should be amended to make it clear that it was the Arab NC, and that it couldn't guarantee that no incidents would occur from their side. Amayorov (talk) 08:47, 14 July 2024 (UTC)

Walid Khalidi has repeatedly debunked the myth of Arab evacuation orders in Haifa. See, for example, "The Fall of Haifa Revisited" (2008). إيان (talk) 05:04, 17 July 2024 (UTC)

Agree that it's inappropriate and WP:UNDUE to go down the pay of Nakba minimisation. TarnishedPath^talk 05:45, 17 July 2024 (UTC)

It has not been debunked. Walid Khalidi only analysed radio broadcasts to come to his conclusions, while Morris bases his conclusions on American/British intelligence, conclusions from the High Commissioner for Palestine, and internal Haganah reports, and other evidence. You don't have to state this as fact, but as a possible perspective – from a historian, on whose research much of the rest of the article is based.

Again, what I strongly object to is misrepresentation and selective referencing of Morris' work. This example is particularly egregious – there were no Jewish National Committee that could not "offer the Palestinian council assurance that an unconditional surrender would proceed without incident." You cannot reference Morris on this, when he talks about the opposite! Amayorov (talk) 06:39, 17 July 2024 (UTC)

@TarnishedPath Amayorov (talk) 06:39, 17 July 2024 (UTC)

Morris is a biased writer who engages in Nakba denialism. The position is WP:UNDUE. I see no problem with some small inclusion of his views in the article but the expansion that you introduced, based on his POV alone was WP:UNDUE. TarnishedPath^talk 06:48, 17 July 2024 (UTC)

"Morris is a biased writer who engages in Nakba denialism." – I find this statement ridiculous, giving that he was the first who uncovered the extent of Nakba, and that his works are widely quoted by even such authors as Pappé and Finkelstein.

He's no more biased than any of the other authors, and must be referenced non-selectively. He's already the most sourced from author on this page. Amayorov (talk) 07:04, 17 July 2024 (UTC)

Again you're making an argument for reducing the amount of sourcing to the opinions of one specific writer, not increasing it. TarnishedPath^talk 07:06, 17 July 2024 (UTC)

It's not about his "opinions", but rather the primary evidence that he uncovered and deemed relevant. I'm making an argument for quoting him non-selectively, in order to make the article WP:NOV. If you wish to reduce the amount of referencing him, you'd have to rewrite over half the page. Amayorov (talk) 07:11, 17 July 2024 (UTC)

We always quote selectively both for brevity and because of copyright. The opposite of quoting selectively would be quoting the entire work. I do not see how expanding the quotation for him is useful, especially given Morris is already given plenty of airplay in this article. TarnishedPath^talk 07:17, 17 July 2024 (UTC)

Because you quote evidence that he provides, supporting the fact that the Haganah engaged in psychological warfare at Haifa, while ignoring the many pages where he describes the "surfeit" of evidence that the Arab leadership (both local and the AHC) ordered and spurred on the evacuation. Such selective quoting seems like pushing a particular POV. Amayorov (talk) 07:19, 17 July 2024 (UTC)

I entirely disagree and I find covering Morris's opinion on that to be Nakba minimisation at the very best. TarnishedPath^talk 07:21, 17 July 2024 (UTC)

You cannot separate a historian's work into "Nakba maximising" and "Nakba minimising" and quote only the former, if you want to build a neutral encyclopaedia. Amayorov (talk) 07:29, 17 July 2024 (UTC)

You cannot separate a historian's work into "Nakba maximising" and "Nakba minimising" and quote only the former. That's certainly not a synthetic distinction I proposed, nor a course of action I suggested. If it were a course of action I suggested I'd be engaged in the complete removal of Benny Morris, which is demonstrably not the case. What however is going against NPOV is seeking to disproportionately rely on the view points of exactly one author. It needs to be toned down a bit. He's not the only author out there. TarnishedPath^talk 11:04, 17 July 2024 (UTC)

That's certainly not a synthetic distinction I proposed, nor a course of action I suggested. Certainly, but the article currently appears to be doing just that, at least to some extent. Amayorov (talk) 11:09, 17 July 2024 (UTC)

Morris's name is mentioned 18 times in the body of article. 3 times in notes, 25 times in the references and 3 times in the source list. Just the 21 times (18 inline and 3 via notes) he's mentioned by name attributing his view point says that is almost certainly not the case and in fact that we have somewhat of a problem with an over-reliance on the POV of Benny Morris. TarnishedPath^talk 11:36, 17 July 2024 (UTC)

Yes, but he's quoted selectively. He's (rightly) quoted on the Haganah's use of psychological warfare, the well-poisoning program, the expulsions from Lydda and Ramle, etc. At the same time, he's ignored when it comes to the Arab evacuation orders, that the Haganah's mortars didn't target civilians at Haifa, and plenty of other important instances.

Sometimes, he's even quoted perversely, such as regarding the alleged Jewish National Committee's failing to give assurances during the truce negotiations at Haifa, whereas in fact it was the Arab National Committee. Amayorov (talk) 12:04, 17 July 2024 (UTC)

Worth noting that the article being republished here, "The Fall of Haifa", was written by Khalidi in 1959 when Morris was 11. It looks like Khalidi added an intro to this republication which briefly criticizes Morris, but of course the underlying 1959 article does not.

The 1959 article probably isn't too relevant today. E.g. it says that the Haifa National Committee did nothing to encourage evacuation, which I don't think anyone (today) denies. Even Karsh would agree, saying Although the Committee strove to curb the mass flight, urging Haifa's Arabs to stay put and castigating those who fled-occasionally, these warnings were backed by the torching of escapees' belongings-its remonstrations proved of no avail.

I think Morris' views on the topic are quite significant and should be mentioned. There are scholars who argue Morris overemphasizes evacuation orders, which can be mentioned as well. Criticism isn't generally a reason to remove content, particularly in this area where every prominent work attracts criticism.

"Overuse of Morris" doesn't seem like a convincing reason to remove content either, partly since his work in this area is quite prominent (surely Technological singularity shouldn't limit mentions of Kurzweil?), but more importantly because WP:WEIGHT pertains to viewpoints on a particular topic (like evacuation orders), not to particular sources. — xDanielx ^T/_C\^R 22:17, 18 July 2024 (UTC)

°The only problem above is overuse of Morris, not his bias.

• The article, like most of wiki I/P historical articles, is in a poor state. And one of the reasons is that considerable emphasis is given to citing positions by prominent scholars in the midst of the factual narrative. All opinions of this kind should always be relegated below a strict narrative focus on the chronological reconstruction that established the facts as they are known to unfold day by day/week by week.
• The section on Haifa here is woefully inadequate. It should, by rights, synthesize Battle of Haifa (1948), but we cannot do that at present because that is one more example of an inadequate reconstruction of the factual record, and overreliance on just one historian: 16 of the 43 references go back to Morris, the next most used sources are primary documents of the period, and then we have passing references to bits and pieces from Pappé, Segev, Azoulay etc., as minor voices. Kimche gets more mention than any of those. There is no use of Walid Khalidi, The Fall of Haifa Revisited Journal of Palestine Studies, Vol. 37, No. 3 (Spring 2008), pp. 30-58, which though earlier than Morris 2004, was updated in a 2008 reprint which took in and criticized Morris' narrative, including an accusation that Morris ignored or suppressed core information available to him.
• So rather than jam more Morris stuff in here, there are two tasks. The primary one would be to revise the Battle of Haifa article, with an approach that established a detailed factual record of the sequence of events, (with brief notes when secondary accounts differ) and once that is done, readjust the Haifa section here, which is pathetically scrappy.

Nishidani (talk) 08:35, 17 July 2024 (UTC)

+1, I too am not particularly happy at this excessive focus on Morris. Selfstudier (talk) 08:58, 17 July 2024 (UTC)

All opinions of this kind should always be relegated below a strict narrative focus on the chronological reconstruction that established the facts as they are known to unfold day by day/week by week. – how could this be done in light of Wikipedia:No original research, and the often significant differences between secondary sources as to what those facts were?

The only problem above is overuse of Morris, not his bias. – in my view, the problem is that he's used selectively. As I wrote above, you cannot separate a historian's work into "Nakba maximising" and "Nakba minimising" and quote only the former, if you want to build a neutral encyclopaedia.

overreliance on just one historian – One must distinguish between backing up objective facts using a historian's research, and representing the conclusions that that historian draws from them as fact. The fact is that Morris brought light on a lot of primary evidence from Israeli and Western archives from the 1940s, which often cannot be complemented, because the Arab archives are all still closed Amayorov (talk) 09:01, 17 July 2024 (UTC)

Morris brought light on a lot of primary evidence from Israeli and Western archives from the 1940s, which often cannot be complemented, because the Arab archives are all still closed—bruh. You gotta be kidding with this.

I'm with TarnishedPath, Nishidani, and Selfstudier. إيان (talk) 17:17, 17 July 2024 (UTC)

First, as I've said, I'm not arguing for Morris to be used exclusively — rather that he is referenced non-selectively, instead of cherry-picking the bits to promote a particular view. To some extent, that is presently the case. Even more worrying is that sometimes he is cited outright wrongly, such as the reference to a "Jewish National Council" at Haifa that couldn't guarantee a ceasefire without an incident, whereas in fact it was the Arab NC.

Secondly, my point is true — all Arab historical archives, including those of the military, the main political parties, and royal courts, are still closed. That's not to say that you can't try and compensate for them. Amayorov (talk) 17:53, 17 July 2024 (UTC)

We can certainly utilise more sources and note when they disagree but the weight given to various positions should be based on the scholarly sources (reviews, citation, critique) and not on editors' own opinions. Alaexis_¿question? 21:02, 17 July 2024 (UTC)

References