Zionist Movement Flashcards
Explain the Emergence of Political Zionism in 1800s
Zionism offered an escape from persecution and an alternative hope, inspired nationalism.
1800s originated in Russia (lots of anti-Semitism)
Jews would never be treated equal in Europe – seize their own destiny and establish a Jewish state.
Hertzel – forged existing strands of this ideology into an international movement – clear political objective to forge a new state. harking back to the biblical and historic covenant of the Jewish people concerning the land of Israel (knocks on the doors of the rich and powerful.)
Migration - settlement waves of migrants all from Europe attracted and inspired by Zionist slogans - Palestine is empty. Making the desert bloom.
The Role of Britain
Chaim Weizmann – activities towards the Zionist cause and set up contact within the British government and helped to keep the issue of Zionism before the British cabinet
potential to serve British imperial interests.
British presence within the region would keep France out of the area and was vital for Suez.
This helped to produce a British declaration in support of Zionist objectives in Palestine.
Arthur Balfour – British foreign secretary – informed senior Zionist figure about the British governments support.
The British capture of Jerusalem in 1917 – under British military occupation until 1920. King Faysal of Syria was appointed to reconcile conflicting aspirations of Zionism and Arabism.
1920 - San Romeo Conference: awarded British mandate for Palestine. League of nations
Sir Herbert Samuel – entrusted with implementing the policy to satisfy Balfour declaration.
The contradictions of the Balfour Declaration
How could it seek to establish a national homeland for the Jews as well as ensure the rights of the Arab majority?
1922 – White Paper
Jewish national homeland could not have an imposition on the Arabs but that Jews had the right to Palestine and that it could be the centre for religion and race. – Failure to remove the ambiguities in the Balfour declaration.
Role of the Labour Movement
The Labour movement – Zionist
Formed to promote Jewish trade unionism
Creation of public works – self-sufficiency of Jewish labour instituted a boycott of Arab products and workers.
Control over the Jewish defence force – reserve army which was fully integrated into the political institutions of the Jewish community.
Role of the Mapai Party
The Mapai Party
- interests of labour and Zionism were identical
- Ben Gurion – leader of party and later PM in 1948.
- gained support from the Jewish community in US – US representatives played role in the WZO, donated funds and the rise of US power helped to shape the outcome of Palestine conflict.
Role of the revisionist party
Revisionist Zionism
- Weizmann’s approach was too hesitant and too dependent on Britain.
- called for immediate mass immigration to Palestine and immediate proclamation of a Jewish commonwealth.
- large-scale immigration including Transjordan.
- support from youth in eastern Europe
- Jabotinsky’s death led to decline in support but his two disciples later became PM’s and revived the uncompromising spirit.
the role of organisations from both communities.
The Role of Organisations
- The deepening conflict between the two communities built up their political and social organisations. Both insecure throughout interwar period.
- Arabs frustrated as wanted to gain legal recognition but rejected any overtures to participate in national organisations as it was seen to accept the Balfour declaration.
- Zionist leaders convinced that the British intent to be fair to the Arabs was a sign they were blocking efforts to become a Jewish national homeland.
Role of Palestinians Organisations
Palestine did not have a constitution, parliament or elections (did not represent any element of populations).
The Zionist threat was clear and the Palestinian Arab congress in 1920 is formed but is loosely constructed.
They sought to preserve their own social and policy pre-eminence by adopting a policy of moderate opposition.
Didn’t have the influence that Weizmann was able to exert in London. – collective leadership weakened and was a tendency to overlook the importance of forming a cohesive political organisation which could gain support.
Musa Al-Husayni – formed Arab executive but Britain refused to accept it.
o Did not have popular mobilisation
o Failure to secure mass support.
o Died in 1934 – Arab executive failed to exist.
o Competition between rival Palestinian families did not help.
Immigration and Land
Zionist objective was to have unrestricted immigration and access to require as much cultivable land.
The goals of Zionism repressed a threat to Arab existence
The fifth Aliyah from 1933-1936 saw over 170,000 Jews immigrate to Palestine and Arab population grew, total population grew by over 500,000 and no wonder there was contestation to land.
Zionist willing to pay high prices for land which even attracted Arabs to sell off. Lead to an eviction of Arab tenant farmers and British tax forced peasants to borrow. The effect of the land transfers, British policy & Arab notable attitudes lead to impoverishment and marginalisation of Arab peasantry.
o Lead to outbreaks of violence
Wailing Wall Disturbances 1929
Dispute over the Jewish right to access to a holy wall which they claimed they had a holy right to but Muslims also had a right.
British had to forcibly remove some Jews after they contested the rights.
Muslim council launched campaigns into the dangerous effects of Zionism.
Britain sent a commission to find out that the root cause of conflict was increasing Jewish immigration and instructed for restrictions on immigration.
o But was reversed after mounting Jewish opposition.
The 1936 Arab Revolt
1936 Arab Revolt
Great depression, large scale immigration left widespread unemployment between Jews and Arabs
Spontaneous uprising against Zionism, British imperial & entrenched Arab leadership.
killing of Jewish promoted killing of 2 Arab farmers – lead communities into demonstrations and mob attacks.
General strike enforced by Arabs until Britain granted demands to halt immigration
Formed a national organisation, the Arab Higher committee – a belated attempt to unify factions within Palestinian elite.
When attempts to mediate the situation failed, the British responded by crushing the rebellion leaving 1000 Arabs dead and 80 Jews. – it resolved nothing.
The Peel Commission
one reason the strike was called off was Britain pledge to investigate commission by Lord Peel 1937
Argued that obligation in the Balfour were contradictory and that a unitary state could not be achieved.
- the mandate keeps the antagonism alive
- Peel report recommended that the mandate should be terminated and Palestine to be portioned, where Britain would continue to have power in some areas.
Partitions?
Higher Arab Commission opposed as it violated the rights
Zionists favoured partitioned but argued that the land given to the Jews was not adequate. – but ultimately was rejected
The Great Revolt
Great Revolt
Britain’s efforts collapsed.
Arab violence renewed. – locally led, British direct minister was murders, higher commission was dissolved and arrested
Focus on destroyed infrastructure, police and destroying Jewish settlement
Government services came to a halt and rural areas controlled by Arabs.
Peasant social revolution against notables – wealthy landowners were coerced into making donations.
Britain did not manage to restore order until 1939.
600 brits killed, 2000 Jews, 3000 Arabs – forced Britain to reassess its Palestinanin policy. – prompted also by impeding war in Europe – Oil + airfield in middle east would be vital for Britain and with increasing Arab states showing solidarity, Britain recognised need to placate them in order to secure future cooperation.
1939 White Paper
In 1939 – Britain issued a White Paper stating that it was not part of their policy that Britain should become a jewish state, restricted immigration, restriction on land transfers, within 10 year Palestine declared independent. – Widely condemned by Jewish community during the time of Hitler.
The birth of Israel
The Holocaust – promoted many to believe the jews should have a homeland
Us became centre for Zionist activity.
Ben-Gurion – due to Britain restricting immigration, they would have to seize force.
Zionist campaign of sabotage against British administration 1945-1947 sees Britain loose control of Palestine and refers the matter onto the United Nations, report concluded that Britain terminate mandate.
UN divided but some called for separate states with internationalised zones
Britain departed, leaving no formal transfer of power and no government. Ben Gourin – declared independent Israel and was recognised by US and SU.
Arab-Israeli War 1948 – 700,000 Arab refugees feeling Israeli persecution. Other Arab states intervene in war but fail leading to the Al-Nakba defeat.
