Chapter 1: Build Up Of Tensions Flashcards
What historical claims did Arabs have to the Holy Land?
The Al-Aqsa Mosque (built where Mohammed went into heaven) and the Dome of the Rock both built in Jerusalem
What historical claims did Jews have to the holy land?
They settled over 3000 years ago and the Waling Wall built to symbolise where Soloman’s temple once stood
What was the McMahon Hussein agreement and when was it?
A deal between Britain and Arabs in 1915 where the Arabs agreed to help the British defeat the Ottomans in return for support for Arab independence after the war
What was the Sykes-Picot agreement and when was it?
An agreement between France and Britain made in 1916 where both countries secretly arranged to divide up the Ottoman Empire between themselves after the war to keep access to their oil supplies in the Middle East and control of the Suez Canal
What did the Sykes-Picot agreement mean for Arabs?
Palestine would fall under international control and Arab hopes for independence were largely ignored
What was the Balfour agreement and when was it?
The British Foreign secretary Lord Arthur Balfour wrote a letter to the leader of the British Jewish community, Baron Rothschild in 1917 which declared that Britain would agree with the Zionist plan to establish a home for Jewish people in Palastine
When were Britain awarded the mandate and what did they have to do?
1923, they had to protect the rights of Palestinian Arabs, establish a homeland for Jews and prepare the country for independence.
Why did tensions begin to rise after Britain was awarded the mandate?
Palestinian Arabs were angry that they had not been granted independence immediately and their homeland was being used for Jews
How many Jews were in Palestine?
1922: 84’000
1931: 175’000
1935: 310’000 (mainly Jews fleeing from Antisemitism in Germany)
What happened in early 1936?
The Arab strike. Palestinian Arabs demanded an end to Jewish immigration and went on strike. Palestinian leaders were arrested and neighbouring countries had to get involved because of Britain’s lack of control
What was the Peel commission and when was it?
British investigation of the causes of unrest in Palestine in January-July 1937 where William Peel published a report saying the mandate could never work and recommended to end the mandate and Jewish immigration to Palastine
What took place from 1937-39?
The Arab revolt. Palestinian Arabs reacted angrily to Peel’s recommendation and had violent attacks against British forces and Jews but the British reacted harshly by destroying houses, curfews being put in place and thousands of Arabs being arrested
What was exodus 1947?
A ship that picked up 4500 Jews (mainly holocaust survivors) and sailed for Palestine, but it was stopped by the Royal Navy and passengers were taken back to France, where they went on hunger strike and refused to leave the ship
What was the international reaction of Exodus 1947 being turned away?
Worldwide outrage against Britain and moved the idea of establishing a Jewish state further forward especially after the atrocities of WWII
Why did the US apply economic pressure on Britain after the war?
Ernest Berin refused to let 100’000 Jewish refugees into Palestine as requested by Truman arguing it would cause an Arab revolt, but they had to agree as Britain relied on the US for post war recovery
