Israel-Palestine #1


Right before World War I, nationalism and Zionism were sweeping through Europe. With this desire of freedom for occupied nations, World War I erupted in 1914 and flung the world into turmoil. Britain, France and Russia were against Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire (which contained the Middle East). The outcome of WWI, the peace conference in Paris, and Britain’s role in these events formed the outlines of the Middle East of today.

While physical battles were occurring throughout Europe, secret scheming was taking place between Britain and France. Foreseeing their victory in WWI, France and Britain signed the Sykes-Picot Agreement in 1916. Under this treaty the Ottoman Empire was broken into “Zones of Influence” to be ruled by the Allied Powers, with Britain controlling the land called Palestine. A year later in the Balfour Declaration the British promised Palestine to the Jews to contribute to the establishment of a Jewish homeland. In addition to promising the Jews Palestine, the British also gave their word that they would help create an independent Arab state if the Arabs would, in turn, help the British by rebelling against the Ottoman Turks in Arabia. Thus Palestine, later to become Israel, has been called the "Thrice Promised Land". With the end of the war in 1918, it was time for Britain to uphold its promises: to give the Jews the protectorate of Palestine and to help create an independent Arab state.

The Paris Peace Conference in 1919 after the end of WWI resulted in the creation of the League of Nations and the division of the Middle East. Britain now controlled Palestine, most of the Arabian Peninsula and Transjordan, and France controlled present-day Syria and Lebanon. In addition, nations such as Turkey and Saudi Arabia proclaimed independence. The League of Nations recognized Jews' right to settle in Palestine, while the people already settle there (of various Arab-Muslim decent) became increasingly angry with this massive migration of Jews into their land. After WWII, the UN suggested creating one state for the Jews and one for the Palestinians, but the Arabs already living there rejected this plan. Thus, because Britain promised Palestine to the Jews, while also promising to help create a free Arab state during WWI, territorial conflict over Palestine was to be expected. Eventually, Palestine was given to the Jews by Britain officially around 1949, forcing many Palestinians into refugee camps. Now, one topic of controversy is what territory Israel includes. Some believe the Jews have a right to own the land according to Biblical borders, while others go by what Britain's protectorate consisted of. The rest of the Middle East, however, does not even recognize Israel as a state, let alone think of what its borders are.


Since I will not be in class tomorrow, here is the link to my article:
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/05/02/africa/israel.php