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Build-up of tension in Palestine, 1917 to 46

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Under British rule after the First World War, Jewish and Arab communities in Palestine came into growing conflict.

The Balfour Declaration and the Mandate

In the Balfour Declaration (1917), Britain supported a 'national home for the Jewish people' in Palestine, while saying the rights of existing non-Jewish communities should not be harmed.
Britain ruled Palestine as a mandate after the war.
Arabs felt promises made to them had been broken.

Immigration and violence

Jewish immigration rose, especially after Nazi persecution began in 1933.
Arabs feared losing their land and majority; there were riots and an Arab revolt (1936 to 39).
The Peel Commission (1937) proposed dividing Palestine; it was not carried out. Britain limited Jewish immigration in 1939.

Jewish armed groups

After 1945 some Jewish groups used violence against British rule to force Britain out and create a Jewish state.
In 1946 the group Irgun bombed the King David Hotel in Jerusalem, British headquarters; 91 people were killed.
Britain handed the problem to the UN in 1947.
Worked example

Why did Jewish immigration to Palestine increase tension in the 1930s?

  1. Nazi persecution drove many Jewish people to Palestine.
  2. Arab Palestinians feared losing land and their majority.
  3. This led to riots and the Arab revolt of 1936 to 39.

Answer: Arabs feared losing their land and majority as immigration rose.

Key idea

The Balfour Declaration (1917) backed a Jewish national home; Britain ruled Palestine as a mandate. Rising Jewish immigration led to Arab protests and the Arab revolt (1936 to 39); the Peel Commission (1937) proposed partition. After 1945, Jewish armed groups attacked British rule, including the King David Hotel bombing (1946).

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