The Partition of Palestine

And other significant events in the history of Israel/Palestine

What is Zionism?

• Zionism is the international political movement that originally supported the reestablishment of a homeland for the Jewish People in Palestine.

• Zionists had three goals for their proposed nation: Jewish nation, Democracy, Promised Land.

Palestine Under Ottoman Rule

• The land was called “Palestine” in reference to the Palestinian people, who were the majority population in the area.

• Jews were treated fairly, and coexisted peacefully, for the most part, with Palestinians under Ottoman rule.

The British Mandate

• The Treaty of Versailles gave Britain and France a “mandate” to administer land formerly governed by the Ottoman Empire

• The British put local Emir’s on the throne in Iraq and (trans) Jordan to establish and run new governments

• Jewish immigration increased during this era, and that led to problems with the resident Palestinian population

The Balfour Declaration• A classified formal statement of policy by the British

government stating that the British government "view with favour" the establishment in Palestine of "a national home for the Jewish people" with the understanding that "nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine, or the rights and political status enjoyed by Jews in any other country.”

• Once this becomes public knowledge, Palestinian reaction is predictably negative. The idea of unlimited immigration of Jews to Palestine, and the creation of a Jewish state in their homeland, is not welcomed by Palestinians.

How does this address the 3 goals of Zionsits? It doesn’t!

UN Resolution 181The Partition of Palestine

•UN 181 created the nations of Israel and Palestine.

•The area formerly known as the British Mandate was divided in Israel, Palestine, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan.

UN Resolution 181Who was involved?British, Palestinians, and Jews

What did the legislation say?Dividing the land of the British Mandate into Israel and Palestine, with the city of Jerusalem being a neutral, “International” city

When did this take place?The UN plan was approved in November of 1947, with British withdrawal by August of 1948

Where did this take place?Palestine (British Mandate @ east end of the Mediterranean Sea)

Why was the plan necessary?Create a homeland for Jews -- sympathy following the holocaust

How was the map formed?Land divided into population centers – Jerusalem a neutral, international city

How has the plan worked out?Poorly for both sides – constant conflict for last 50 years

In 1937, the British Royal Commission proposed a split a little more in line with population demographics.

The UN map was drawn around population centers. What were the population numbers?

Arabs made up more than 70% of the population of Palestine at the time of the partition plan.

Before the British Mandate era, Arabs made up more than 90% of the population in Palestine.

Pretty good deal for Israel!

Are the Zionists happy?Partition Plan Promised Land

It seems a little backward!