The End of the British Mandate 1948

Just after World War I, Europe's boundaries were undergoing some dramatic alterations. The British Mandate changed the map of Europe. By 1948, and the end of the mandate, the Middle East map would also be changed.

France and Great Britain declared war on the second Ottoman Empire in World War I and parts of the Middle East had been liberated. Lebanon and Syria went to France and the British seized control of Iraq and Palestine (modern day Israel, including the West Bank and Jordan).

The Balfour Agreement was signed and essentially stated that The British Parliament would develop an Independent Jewish Homeland to be called Israel (in the current Israel location today). Back then Israel was called Palestine. Again anti-Semitism raged, and this only broadened an ongoing controversial subject; the re-settlement of the Jews into their homeland.

Later, the Arab’s, (represented by Amir Faysal) and the Zionists, (Jews represented by Chaim Weizmann) convened at peace treaty negotiations along with the Allied and Central Powers. Nonetheless, because the pledges were not fulfilled to the Arab’s satisfactions, they did not conform to this agreement.

As a result, the League of Nations (now known as the United Nations), came together during a conference to determine a compromise. The purpose of the meetings concluded on July 24, 1922 with an approval by the League of Nations Council. The United States had not yet joined the League, but they did agree on the plan of the Jewish National Home in Palestine (Land of Israel). The British Mandate of Palestine was therefore in effect from 1920 to 1948, and divided Palestine for the first time since before the Ottoman Empire.

The British Mandate declared the “historical connection of the Jewish people with Palestine,” called upon the mandatory power to "secure establishment of the Jewish National Home," and recognized "an appropriate Jewish agency" for advice and cooperation.

The British commitment to the institution of a Jewish homeland in Palestine was made with good intentions, however it significantly weakened over the years. Therefore another idea was purposed; the MacDonald White Paper of 1939

It was supposed to resolve the opposing Arab opinion about Jewish settlement. By this time, desperate refugees from the Holocaust emerged, but their settlement back to their homeland was prevented. Jewish immigration was periodically limited by the British, but even more so restricted after 1939. However, the Arab immigration was not restricted at all.

The Zionists were becoming angry. The Mandate was not working. A workable decree was required to pacify the Arabs and the Jews. As World War II came to a close, action was required on behalf of Jewish people. The survivors of the Holocaust were in need of resettlement, and so it happened through the establishment of a Jewish state.

The British were looking to get out of the Middle East, and they needed to appease both Arabs and Jews. An eleven member committee comprised the UN Special Committee, UNSCOP, convened to study the issues. It was determined that the Jewish National Home was never fulfilled and that both the Arabs and Jews were claiming the state. An end to the British Mandate was at hand. As a result, Palestine (Land of Israel) was about to become two states; one Arab and the other Jewish in a call to partition the area. It also called for the withdrawal of British forces and a termination of the mandate by August 1, 1948, and establishment of the new independent states by October 1, 1948. The conclusion to the British rule with the U.N. Partition Plan of Palestine was met with delight by the Jews. It was accepted by the Jewish community leaders in Palestine; the Jewish Agency. On the contrary, the Palestine Arab Higher Committee, rejected the Partition Plan by the Arab League (still in existence today with over 21 Arab states).

Keep in mind that the Jerusalem-Bethlehem cities, home of the Holy Places and religious buildings and sites, had been granted special international protection. It did not belong to neither of the two states.

Turmoil and chaos began again. The mandate was no longer in effect, and consequently the Palestine Civil War broke out, but the victory went to the Jews. Britain announced it’s pulling out of Palestine by May 15, 1948 without a transition plan in place. The day before Britain’s withdrawal, the Jewish community published their Declaration of Independence. The State of Israel was proclaimed when the flag bearing the Star of David was raised over Israel. Subsequently, five Arab armies unsuccessfully attacked Israel, starting the Arab-Israeli War.

To really understand the division of the Palestinians and the Jews, you undoubtedly must go back to Abraham where it all originates. The Jewish people base their claim to the Land of Israel on four premises: the Jewish people settled and developed the land; the international community granted political sovereignty in Palestine to the Jewish people; the territory was captured in defensive wars; and God promised the land to Abraham, specifically detailed in Genesis 15.18-19 and exclusively to Abraham as explained in Genesis 32.24-30. The providential protection afforded to the Jewish people has always been their security and will continue to be their refuge.