Between 1517 and 1917, the Ottoman Empire of Turkey controlled the areas of Lebanon, Syria and Palestine. Palestine was not a country. Palestine, like New England, is a region, not a sovereign nation. It had no government, no laws. When the Turks were defeated after WWI, the southern portion of their Empire was mandated to Britain and France. Britain was given the region known as Palestine. This area included what we know today as Israel, Jordan, and the West Bank. Further, in 1917 the Balfour Declaration expressed Britain’s view of the historic rights of the Jewish people to a homeland in the area known as Palestine. Balfour’s position was promptly ratified by the U.S, the French, and the Italian governments.
Four years later, in 1921, the newly formed League of Nations approved the establishment of a national homeland for the Jewish people as outlined by Balfour. The League gave Britain the power to administer Palestine according to the Declaration. The British, in order to get the necessary support to win against the Turks, promised postwar fulfillment of both Jewish and Arab nationalist hopes.
This will astound you. Palestine, as defined by maps of the period and as mandated to Britain by the League of Nations, spanned the Jordan River and covered 45,000 square miles, an area about the size of Pennsylvania. However, in 1921, nearly 4/5s of the territory that was to have been the Jewish homeland was handed over to Emir Abdullah ibn-Husein. What remained of Palestine was now about the size of Maryland, 10,000 square miles. The area in which the Arab states gained independence comprised 1,342,900 square miles, a territory five times the size of Texas. This included Egypt, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and the totally unexpected formation of the Kingdom of Transjordan.
Britain during this time and later was interested in expanding its empire and simply refused to obey the mandate given them. Jewish claims to sovereignty in Palestine were clearly established by history since the 12th century before Christ! These claims were then later recognized by the Balfour Declaration, accepted by other responsible leaders of the time, and legalized by the League of Nations. The League transferred title from the Ottomans to their trustee, Britain, who was too busy expanding an empire and ensuring itself the lion’s share of the area’s vast oil reserves! The oil was owned by the Arabs not the Jews! From the moment of the establishment of the Mandate until it ended 26 years later, Britain hindered rather than helped Jewish efforts at building their homeland, and often was guilty of the grossest violations of her granted powers.
During the following years, there was a systematic effort by the Arabs to rid the area of the Jewish people. There were (and continue to be) attacks on the Jews without mercy. The British ignored the situation. Also, British authorities enacted a system of immigration quotas. Exceptions were made if a Jew paid 1000 Pounds in cash or a professional paid 500 Pounds in cash, very large amounts at the time.
In 1939 the infamous British White Paper which completely broke the terms of the Balfour Declaration and the Mandate of the League of Nations was published. One of the terms of this Paper was to limit Jewish immigration in the Palestine region to 75,000 Jews over a 5 year period, with further levels requiring Arab consent. Another term was a promise to establish an independent Palestine under Arab rule within 10 years. The Brits betrayed the Jews at every turn.
Then came the Holocaust. Hopefully you know the facts surrounding it and WWII, even though many have tried to ignore or rewrite those facts lately to suit their own political agendas. Between 1939 and 1945, 72% of Jews in Nazi-occupied Europe were murdered; 25% of them were children. More than half of all European Jews were killed. This left the surviving remnant of Jews in central Europe as displaced persons or refugees. Many turned to immigrating to Palestine. However, the British put up several blockades and hindrances to this immigration.
There was a great deal of negative publicity against the Brits. In 1946 The Brits found themselves in need of an “Anglo-American Loan” in order to avoid bankruptcy. Between the negative publicity, the need for the loan, and wanting to keep their Arab allies, Britain referred the “Palestine” issue to the United Nations.
The General Assembly of the United Nations, meeting at Lake Success, NY on November 29, 1947 adopted a proposal to partition Palestine into Jewish and Arab states. Those voting against: Afghanistan, Cuba, Egypt, Greece,. India, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, Yemen. Those abstaining: Argentina, Chile, China, Colombia, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Honduras, Mexico, United Kingdom, and Yugoslavia. In all thirty-three nations voted in favor of partition.
Britain was to leave the area by February 1, 1948 according to the General Assembly. Further, Britain was to make available adequate harbor and reception facilities for immediate entry of Jewish immigrants. Instead, Britain refused to participate in any collective effort to enforce the UN resolution. In effect, Britain refused to cooperate in carrying out a UN decision that did not conform to her own colonial policy. As a result, anarchy reigned in Palestine.
Partition of the Palestine area was to include both a Jewish and an Arab state. It was to have been a matter between these two groups. Other Arab states had no claim to even an inch of the land involved. But 48 hours after the General Assembly acted, the Arabs moved to “drive the Jews into the sea.” Convinced that the British were on their side, Arabs from Syria invaded Palestine and attacked Jewish settlements. Another force crossed from Transjordan and set up a local government. Egyptian troops invaded and seized Gaza. These were clear acts of aggression by countries whose sovereignty was not even remotely affected by the UN partition. These invasions prevented the birth of a Palestine Arab state and the internationalization of Jerusalem. This point is usually forgotten today, or ignored. Transjordan and Egypt ignored the rights of Palestinian Arabs in favor of their own territorial expansion. They prevented a Palestinian state for their own people.
A serious blow was dealt to the newly created UN. Through its Arab friends, the Axis powers of WWII managed to continue winning, even after being defeated in war! What continued was a war against the Jews, democracy, and the UN. Jews were expelled from the surrounding Arab nations, a refugee problem that the world refused to recognize. And, the Arabs unleashed all they had against the tiny new nation of Israel. From 1948 until today this aggression and war continues. Had the Arabs accepted partition, an independent Arab Palestine would have been created. Ergo, had they not launched their war of conquest, there would be no “Palestinian” refugee problem!
Let’s put a name to the real cause of the continued Mid-east conflict. Very simply it is anti-Semitism. Only base anti-Semitism explains this continued aggression on Israel and Israel’s invisibility to the media and the rest of the world. Terror attack after terror attack is launched against Israel and Israel is given no voice in the global media. Hundreds and hundreds of people killed in Haifa, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Netanya, Hadera and Sderot and still not a voice. Where is the hue and cry from descent people around the world?
In today's Europe, the venom of anti-Semitism and the hatred of Israel are accepted and propagated, seemingly paving the way for another holocaust. Every Arab nation proclaims the destruction of not only Israel but also of the Jewish people. Yet they are given world forums from which they spew their venom. The rest of the world stands by silently. Europe continues to negate the history of Israel, its right of existence recognized by the UN, and the dignity of Israeli victims. It is as if the Israelis don’t exist. The world portrays Israel as a colonialist, fascist, violent, and arrogant state; often denying Israel’s history and the obvious facts of Arab aggression. I suppose that Europe has a sense of guilt because of the Holocaust. So, by finding reasons to blame Israel, it believes it can assuage its guilt.
Israelis see rockets hitting their civilian population. Her citizens are killed in cafes, buses, supermarkets, restaurants, and cars. But the suicide bombers are portrayed as “victims.” These so-called victims believe that to kill is an act of faith, mandated by their God. And, the world stands in silence about the truth. When the Arabs are called to peace talks their negotiations go like this: You (Israel) give us the West Bank, you lift the blockade, you give us a homeland, you give us Gaza, you give us Golan, you give us Israel. Their leaders proclaim the total destruction of not only Israel but also of all Jews wherever they live. Where is the voice on behalf of the Jewish people? Why are “decent” people silent? The answer is as old as Satan—anti-Semitism, pure and simple.
Four years later, in 1921, the newly formed League of Nations approved the establishment of a national homeland for the Jewish people as outlined by Balfour. The League gave Britain the power to administer Palestine according to the Declaration. The British, in order to get the necessary support to win against the Turks, promised postwar fulfillment of both Jewish and Arab nationalist hopes.
This will astound you. Palestine, as defined by maps of the period and as mandated to Britain by the League of Nations, spanned the Jordan River and covered 45,000 square miles, an area about the size of Pennsylvania. However, in 1921, nearly 4/5s of the territory that was to have been the Jewish homeland was handed over to Emir Abdullah ibn-Husein. What remained of Palestine was now about the size of Maryland, 10,000 square miles. The area in which the Arab states gained independence comprised 1,342,900 square miles, a territory five times the size of Texas. This included Egypt, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and the totally unexpected formation of the Kingdom of Transjordan.
Britain during this time and later was interested in expanding its empire and simply refused to obey the mandate given them. Jewish claims to sovereignty in Palestine were clearly established by history since the 12th century before Christ! These claims were then later recognized by the Balfour Declaration, accepted by other responsible leaders of the time, and legalized by the League of Nations. The League transferred title from the Ottomans to their trustee, Britain, who was too busy expanding an empire and ensuring itself the lion’s share of the area’s vast oil reserves! The oil was owned by the Arabs not the Jews! From the moment of the establishment of the Mandate until it ended 26 years later, Britain hindered rather than helped Jewish efforts at building their homeland, and often was guilty of the grossest violations of her granted powers.
During the following years, there was a systematic effort by the Arabs to rid the area of the Jewish people. There were (and continue to be) attacks on the Jews without mercy. The British ignored the situation. Also, British authorities enacted a system of immigration quotas. Exceptions were made if a Jew paid 1000 Pounds in cash or a professional paid 500 Pounds in cash, very large amounts at the time.
In 1939 the infamous British White Paper which completely broke the terms of the Balfour Declaration and the Mandate of the League of Nations was published. One of the terms of this Paper was to limit Jewish immigration in the Palestine region to 75,000 Jews over a 5 year period, with further levels requiring Arab consent. Another term was a promise to establish an independent Palestine under Arab rule within 10 years. The Brits betrayed the Jews at every turn.
Then came the Holocaust. Hopefully you know the facts surrounding it and WWII, even though many have tried to ignore or rewrite those facts lately to suit their own political agendas. Between 1939 and 1945, 72% of Jews in Nazi-occupied Europe were murdered; 25% of them were children. More than half of all European Jews were killed. This left the surviving remnant of Jews in central Europe as displaced persons or refugees. Many turned to immigrating to Palestine. However, the British put up several blockades and hindrances to this immigration.
There was a great deal of negative publicity against the Brits. In 1946 The Brits found themselves in need of an “Anglo-American Loan” in order to avoid bankruptcy. Between the negative publicity, the need for the loan, and wanting to keep their Arab allies, Britain referred the “Palestine” issue to the United Nations.
The General Assembly of the United Nations, meeting at Lake Success, NY on November 29, 1947 adopted a proposal to partition Palestine into Jewish and Arab states. Those voting against: Afghanistan, Cuba, Egypt, Greece,. India, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, Yemen. Those abstaining: Argentina, Chile, China, Colombia, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Honduras, Mexico, United Kingdom, and Yugoslavia. In all thirty-three nations voted in favor of partition.
Britain was to leave the area by February 1, 1948 according to the General Assembly. Further, Britain was to make available adequate harbor and reception facilities for immediate entry of Jewish immigrants. Instead, Britain refused to participate in any collective effort to enforce the UN resolution. In effect, Britain refused to cooperate in carrying out a UN decision that did not conform to her own colonial policy. As a result, anarchy reigned in Palestine.
Partition of the Palestine area was to include both a Jewish and an Arab state. It was to have been a matter between these two groups. Other Arab states had no claim to even an inch of the land involved. But 48 hours after the General Assembly acted, the Arabs moved to “drive the Jews into the sea.” Convinced that the British were on their side, Arabs from Syria invaded Palestine and attacked Jewish settlements. Another force crossed from Transjordan and set up a local government. Egyptian troops invaded and seized Gaza. These were clear acts of aggression by countries whose sovereignty was not even remotely affected by the UN partition. These invasions prevented the birth of a Palestine Arab state and the internationalization of Jerusalem. This point is usually forgotten today, or ignored. Transjordan and Egypt ignored the rights of Palestinian Arabs in favor of their own territorial expansion. They prevented a Palestinian state for their own people.
A serious blow was dealt to the newly created UN. Through its Arab friends, the Axis powers of WWII managed to continue winning, even after being defeated in war! What continued was a war against the Jews, democracy, and the UN. Jews were expelled from the surrounding Arab nations, a refugee problem that the world refused to recognize. And, the Arabs unleashed all they had against the tiny new nation of Israel. From 1948 until today this aggression and war continues. Had the Arabs accepted partition, an independent Arab Palestine would have been created. Ergo, had they not launched their war of conquest, there would be no “Palestinian” refugee problem!
Let’s put a name to the real cause of the continued Mid-east conflict. Very simply it is anti-Semitism. Only base anti-Semitism explains this continued aggression on Israel and Israel’s invisibility to the media and the rest of the world. Terror attack after terror attack is launched against Israel and Israel is given no voice in the global media. Hundreds and hundreds of people killed in Haifa, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Netanya, Hadera and Sderot and still not a voice. Where is the hue and cry from descent people around the world?
In today's Europe, the venom of anti-Semitism and the hatred of Israel are accepted and propagated, seemingly paving the way for another holocaust. Every Arab nation proclaims the destruction of not only Israel but also of the Jewish people. Yet they are given world forums from which they spew their venom. The rest of the world stands by silently. Europe continues to negate the history of Israel, its right of existence recognized by the UN, and the dignity of Israeli victims. It is as if the Israelis don’t exist. The world portrays Israel as a colonialist, fascist, violent, and arrogant state; often denying Israel’s history and the obvious facts of Arab aggression. I suppose that Europe has a sense of guilt because of the Holocaust. So, by finding reasons to blame Israel, it believes it can assuage its guilt.
Israelis see rockets hitting their civilian population. Her citizens are killed in cafes, buses, supermarkets, restaurants, and cars. But the suicide bombers are portrayed as “victims.” These so-called victims believe that to kill is an act of faith, mandated by their God. And, the world stands in silence about the truth. When the Arabs are called to peace talks their negotiations go like this: You (Israel) give us the West Bank, you lift the blockade, you give us a homeland, you give us Gaza, you give us Golan, you give us Israel. Their leaders proclaim the total destruction of not only Israel but also of all Jews wherever they live. Where is the voice on behalf of the Jewish people? Why are “decent” people silent? The answer is as old as Satan—anti-Semitism, pure and simple.
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