Israel’s declaration of independence precipitated not only the birth of a Jewish state, but the beginnings of a mass upheaval, as the ancient Jewish communities of the Arab World were forced to flee. Nearly a million people left. Lyn Julius examines why, and what became of them, particularly those who fled to the newly-found State of Israel.

Lyn Julius, the UK-born daughter of Iraqi-Jewish refugees, is the co-founder of Harif, an association of Jews from the Middle East and North Africa in the UK. A journalist and blogger, her work has appeared in the Guardian, Jewish News, Ha’aretz, Standpoint and Huffington Post, among other media.

Jenni Frazer’s award-winning career in journalism has spanned over 30 years, during which she has performed nearly every kind of role, from news reporter to bureau chief, from editing and commissioning to running a team of reporters. She has interviewed many major celebrities and been a media commentator on UK radio and TV, including News 24 and The World Tonight for the BBC.