The British (1917 – 1948)

The British (1917 – 1948)

History of Palestine

During World War I, Palestine was the base for large Turkish forces which occupied Sinai and made two major attacks against British forces stationed along the Suez Canal.

German contingents and advisors assisted these Turkish forces, who were under the command of Jemal Pasha, the Turkish governor-general of Syria and Palestine. In the autumn of 1917, British forces in Egypt under the command of General Sir Edmund Allenby thrust through southern Palestine and, on 9 December 1917, Allenby made his victory march into Jerusalem. The Turks and a German contingent, however, retained most of Samaria and Galilee until their final retreat from Palestine in September 1918.

Jamal Pasha had ruled with a rod of iron, and his hand was heavy on all Palestinians suspected of anti-Turkish sentiments. The war also thinned-out the population of Palestine and wasted its resources; while plagues of locusts took their toll, and extreme corruption of the Turkish officials bled the Palestinians white.

The worst, however, was yet to come. Five weeks before the British were even to occupy Palestine; they delivered their most crippling blow to the Palestinians.

On 2 November 1917, Arthur Balfour, the British foreign secretary, made, on behalf of the British Government, the following historic declaration:

‘His Majesty’s Government view with favor the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people… it being understood that nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine.’

At the time of the ‘Balfour Declaration ’the Palestinian Jews constituted about eight per cent of the total population. The British Government was therefore signalling its intent to enforce a massive settlement of European Jews in Palestine. The Declaration was also an insult to the overwhelming 750,000 Christian and Muslim Palestinians referred to as the ‘non-Jewish communities’.

The rest is known history. In 1948, the Jewish immigrants – mostly from Europe – declared the creation of the State of Israel. They had increased in such numbers and strength that they were able to overrun most of Palestine; except for the West Bank of the River Jordan and the Gaza Strip.

The Palestinians retreated before the advancing Jewish forces, becoming refugees in their ancient homeland.

The Jews claim Palestine has been promised to them through Abraham.
The Palestinians refugees want their ancient homeland back.
Is there a compromise?