The Question of Palestine: Britain’s Role in Instigating a Long-lasting Conflict

Abstract

The date of the declaration of the Israeli entity in 1948 marks a pivotal point in the history of the Middle East and the Arab region. Britain was and will remain the first and most significant country to contribute to this declaration through policies and measures that spanned many years to achieve this goal. The aim of this research study is to shed light on Britain's essential role in the establishment of Israel, relying on a range of books and historical sources. This thesis, consisting of two chapters, addresses a historical and analytical study of Britain's role in the occupation of Palestine in 1948. This is done through reviewing the main historical events that significantly contributed to this process and then analyzing them. This study begins by reviewing the historical relationship between Britain and the Ottoman Empire and studying Britain's active role in weakening and dismantling the Ottoman Empire by supporting the most important revolution witnessed by the Arab region during that period, namely the Great Arab Revolt. This study continues to review the British plan, in collaboration with Western colonial powers, aimed at dividing the Arab region, represented by the Sykes-Picot Agreement of 1916. This thesis also highlights the Balfour Declaration of 1917, which is considered one of the crucial turning points in British policy towards establishing a national homeland for the Jews in Palestine. It further examines the period of British mandate over Palestine and the oppressive policies towards the Palestinians, which paved the way for the ultimate goal of establishing the State of Israel.