British Mandate of Palestine

As the world was plunged into the chaos of World War I, the tides of history began to shift. After the end of The Ottoman Empire, The Lands of Palestine and Jordan was in the hands of Britain. In 1920, the British Mandate for Palestine officially began.

British Mandate of Palestine Flag

## British Mandate of Palestine

### Precced by

* The Ottoman Empire
* British Empire
* World War I

### Succeded by

* Arab-Israeli War
* British Empire
* Kingdom of Iraq

# Zionist Movement

Palestine was a land of diversity, a tapestry of different cultures and faiths. Its population included Muslims, Christians, and Jewish communities. The majority were Muslims, but the Jewish presence was significant, particularly in cities like Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Haifa.

The British Empire's occupation of Palestine and Jordan had left a trail of resentment and anger among the Arab-Ottoman population, who had deep-rooted claims to the land.

In 1917, the British Empire issued the Balfour Declaration, expressed support for the establishment of a "national home for the Jewish people" in Palestine. This declaration created the Zionist movement.

The Jewish immigrants acquired land and established settlements into Palestine, further exacerbating tensions with the Arab population, who had their own historical ties to the region.

Riots and protests continued to plague the lands of Palestine and Jordan, as the Arab population steadfastly resisted the oppressive grip of the British Empire. The years between the World Wars were marred by a series of significant events:

### 1920 Nebi Musa Riots

This event marked one of the first major clashes between the Arab population and the British-backed Zionist movement. The Arab community, incensed by the perceived injustices of British policies, erupted in protest, leading to violent confrontations in Jerusalem and its surroundings.

### 1929 Hebron Massacre

In the ancient city of Hebron, tensions reached a breaking point when a riot broke out, leading to the tragic massacre of Jewish residents. The British Empire's failure to prevent this bloodshed further deepened the divide between Arab and Jewish communities.

### The Arab Revolt of 1936-1939

A culmination of grievances against British rule, this widespread revolt engulfed Palestine and parts of Jordan. The Arab population rose against both the British occupiers and the growing Jewish settlements, demanding an end to British support for Zionist interests.

The British Empire continued to prioritize the Zionist movement's interests, contributing to the escalation of violence. It was a tumultuous time when the rights and claims of the Arab-Ottoman inhabitants of Palestine and Jordan were consistently ignored.

# WWII

As World War II approached, the British Empire's presence in Palestine and Jordan remained a source of deep resentment among the Arab population. The war had a profound impact on the region:

### Anglo-Iraqi War

In 1941, a pro-Axis coup took place in Iraq, which posed a threat to British interests in the region. In response, British forces swiftly moved to crush the uprising, and the Anglo-Iraqi War began further fueling the anti-British sentiments among the Arab population.

### The Holocaust and Jewish Immigration

After WW2, news of the Holocaust sent shockwaves around the world. The horrors suffered by European Jews stirred international sympathy and calls for a Jewish homeland. The British Empire, however, continued to limit Jewish immigration to Palestine, causing frustration among Jewish communities and worsening tensions.

# UN Partition Plan

The British Empire issued the 1945 Proclamation, which reiterated its commitment to the Balfour Declaration of 1917, favoring the establishment of a Jewish state. This declaration, seen as yet another betrayal of Arab rights, led to increased resistance and protests. The Arab population's resistance against British policies and the Zionist movement grew stronger. The British Empire's unyielding support for the establishment of a Jewish state in Palestine only fueled the fire.

In 1947, as the British Empire continued to maintain control over the region, the situation reached a breaking point. Violence erupted, leading to the exodus of Arab and Jewish communities from their homes. The British Empire's inability to quell the conflict further deepened their image as oppressors.

The United Nations proposed a partition plan for Palestine in late 1947, which called for the creation of separate Jewish and Arab states. The plan was met with mixed reactions, but the British Empire's handling of the situation added to the growing perception that they were favoring the Zionist movement.

In May 1948, the State of Israel was declared, leading to the Arab-Israeli War. The British Empire's decision to withdraw from Palestine further stoked the flames of conflict. Arab nations, including Jordan, entered the fray to defend Arab interests.