Study Guide Questions 2 - September 9, 2009

Why were Palestinian Arabs angry about Jews immigrating to Palestine after WWI?

The Palestinian Arabs were angry about Jews immigrating to Palestine after WWI for a number of reasons. For one, the Arabs felt that Palestine was their land and that the Jews, who were buying land from Arab landowners, were taking land that wasn't theirs. In addition, the Arabs who were working the land were often evicted once the land was purchased by a Jewish person because the Jews would often employ only other Jews. The Arabs felt that the Jews were taking over their land and that Britain was siding with the Jews and helping them right along. 

Why did British rule lead to an Arab rebellion in Palestine?

British rule (indirectly) led to an Arab rebellion in Palestine because the Arabs felt that the British were allowing the Jews to take over their land, and in a sense the British were doing this but in a way so that it wouldn't be completely obvious that they were showing favoritism to the Jews. The Arab Rebellion, which occurred from 1936 to 1939, began when Arabs attacked Jewish settlements out of anger. The British hanged Arab leaders, helped organize and train the Jewish Defense Force, and helped teach the Jews to defend themselves shortly after.

Why did the British decide on, and later reject, the partition of Palestine? 

The British decided on and then later rejected the partition of Palestine because at first, Britain was going to attempt to end the conflict by creating two separate states out of Palestine - one Jewish and one Arab. The reason that Britain changed their mind and rejected this idea later on had to do with the approaching war. The British feared a growing friendship between the Arabs and Germany and most likely felt that the Arabs would be angry if there was the creation of a Jewish state at all (also probably thinking that the Arabs would look to Germany for assistance in getting back ALL their land in Palestine), and since the British needed to maintain close ties with all of the Middle East so that oil and other materials would continue to reach Britain from this region, they instead limited Jewish immigration and tried not to do anything to greatly offend either side.