Assessment of Empire in Palestine

Question 1

What did Britain have to do under the British mandate for Palestine, confirmed by the LON in 1922? What was said in the Preamble?

Answer 1

• Establish a national home for Jewish people
• Support and respect the Arab community
  (as per Balfour Declaration)

Preamble said Britain was to administer Palestine to a point where it could reach self-governance. It was to provide “tutelage” as was set out in Articl 22 of the Covenant of the LON.

Question 2

What were Britain’s metropolitan interests in Palestine?

Answer 2

• Securing the border with Egypt for the Suez Canal

- Securing the oil supply from Iraq through the Kirkuk-Haifa Pipeline

Question 3

Why didn’t Britain set up a loyal Arab king in Palestine like in other middle-eastern territories?

Answer 3

• Due to the conflict that would ensue between Jews and Arabs
• Would prevent them from fulfilling aims of LON mandate (make Jewish homeland, prepare for self-government etc.)
• Risked allowing French influence to spread into Palestine from Syria and Lebanon (could back the Jews if an Arab king was put in place)