Britains Involvement with Palestine

History – Middle East

How Significant was the role of Britain in the development within Palestine up to 1939?

After the First World War, Britain took control of land. From that day they played a significant role in the development within Palestine up too the years of 1939. The development’s were made during the ; Jewish Claim to Palestine, The Arab claim to Palestine and the British rule in Palestine between 1919- 1939.

In 1917 A British Zionist named Chaim Weizmann, worked hard to win the support of the British government for a Jewish Homeland. This was one of the first changes to Palestine in a long time, as before Jews were living in diaspora all over Europe and they felt they were not treated equal, this is commonly known as Anti Semitism. This was when Britain first decided to help with Palestine. At the time Britain were bogged down in the fighting with Germany and they were keen to bring the USA into the War. Britain believed that the Jews could influence their government's actions. This was the reason why they declared its support for a Jewish homeland in Palestine. It was Known as the Balfour Declaration and Britain expressed there support for a Jewish homeland. This proved to be a great significance because the Jewish People now believed that they had something on their side, and was the first step towards Getting into Palestine. This however was more significant for Britain as they believed by doing this it would garner Jewish support for the allied effort in the first world war.

Another Key development was the Arab's claim to Palestine. Years prior they swept across the middle east and Palestine was one of the countries which they took over. At the time they were ruled by a Turkish Ruler. However the Arabs didn't like him so their aim was the re-establish Arab rule in the middle east. In 1913 there first Arab National Congress was held, and they called for independence from turkey and unity among the Arabs. However this was a back turn...