How did the British “divide and rule” Palestine?
Explore how British colonial policies of ‘divide and rule’ deepened divisions between Arabs and Jews in Palestine, shaping the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict from 1917 to 1948.”
Introduction:
Between 1917 and 1948, British rule in Palestine followed a deliberate strategy of “divide and rule,” which sought to maintain control over a politically volatile territory by exploiting existing sectarian and communal divisions. This method of governance exacerbated tensions between the indigenous Arab population and the growing Jewish community, leading to long-lasting conflict that continues to shape the Israeli-Palestinian dispute to this day. By understanding how the British effectively implemented this strategy, we can gain a clearer picture of the historical forces that underpinned the conflict and contributed to the modern-day realities in the region.
The Historical Context of British Rule in Palestine:
Before British control, Palestine was part of the Ottoman Empire for nearly four centuries. With the decline of the Ottoman Empire during World War I, the British saw an opportunity to exert influence over Palestine, a land of strategic importance due to its proximity to the Suez Canal and its religious significance to Jews, Christians, and Muslims.
In 1917, British forces captured Palestine from the Ottoman Turks, and later that year, the British government issued the **Balfour Declaration**. This declaration promised the establishment of a “national home for the Jewish people” in Palestine, without consulting the Arab inhabitants, who made up more than 90% of the population at the time. This controversial policy would sow the seeds of division, creating a tense environment of distrust, resentment, and competition between the Jewish immigrants and the Arab population.
The British Strategy of “Divide and Rule”:
“Divide and rule” is a well-known strategy used by imperial powers to weaken opposition and maintain control over their colonies. The British applied this method in various regions, including India and Africa, but it played an especially destructive role in Palestine.
1. **Exploiting Sectarian and Religious Differences**:
The British deliberately deepened the already existing religious and ethnic divisions between the Muslim, Christian, and Jewish populations of Palestine. Muslims and Christians, despite religious differences, had historically coexisted peacefully. However, British policies exacerbated these differences by setting up separate religious courts and educational systems for different communities, further entrenching social divisions.
The British also promoted religious leaders who supported their agenda. One example is the Mufti of Jerusalem, **Haj Amin al-Husseini**, a key figure in the Arab nationalist movement. The British government’s decision to support his appointment gave him significant influence over the Arab population, although his later controversial actions, including alleged collaboration with the Nazis during World War II, would have a lasting impact on his reputation and the politics of the region.
2. **The Balfour Declaration and Zionist Immigration**:
The Balfour Declaration of 1917 was the linchpin of British policy in Palestine, promising support for the establishment of a Jewish homeland. However, the British did not envision how this policy would inflame tensions with the indigenous Arab population. Jewish immigration, spurred by British encouragement and facilitated by Zionist organizations, began to increase dramatically after World War I.
Between 1920 and 1947, the Jewish population in Palestine grew from around 60,000 to over 600,000. This massive influx of immigrants, coupled with the acquisition of land by Zionist organizations like the **Jewish National Fund**, sparked a growing sense of insecurity and resentment among Palestinian Arabs. The British government’s failure to manage this demographic shift, or address Arab concerns, would ultimately lead to violent confrontations between the two communities.
3. **Creating Separate Political Institutions**:
The British further entrenched divisions by establishing separate political structures for Arabs and Jews. In 1929, they allowed the formation of the **Jewish Agency**, which became the primary representative body for the Jewish community in Palestine. The Jewish Agency played a crucial role in organizing Jewish immigration, land acquisition, and economic development.The Islamic Empire’s Expansion into Spain
In contrast, the Arab population was left politically fragmented. Although the **Arab Higher Committee** was established in 1936 to represent Arab interests, it lacked the organizational strength and resources of the Jewish Agency. This political imbalance fueled further resentment among Arabs, who felt sidelined by British policies that appeared to favor the Zionist cause.
4. **Fostering Economic Competition**:
Economic disparities were another way the British exacerbated tensions between the two communities. Jewish immigrants, many of whom came from Europe, brought with them capital and skills that allowed them to build a modern economy. With British support, the Jewish community established its own economic institutions, such as the **Histadrut (General Federation of Jewish Labor)** and the **Jewish National Fund**, which acquired land from Arab landlords, often at the expense of Palestinian tenant farmers.
The British facilitated the development of these Jewish institutions by granting them land, resources, and political backing, while the Arab population struggled with poverty and unemployment. This economic competition deepened social divisions, as the Jewish sector thrived, while many Arabs faced land dispossession and economic marginalization.
5. **Military Recruitment and Administrative Fragmentation**:
The British also used military recruitment to reinforce divisions between Jews and Arabs. During World War I and II, the British formed separate military units for Jewish and Arab recruits. The **Jewish Legion**, established in 1917, fought alongside British forces, strengthening the bond between the British and the Zionists. In contrast, Arab soldiers were relegated to menial tasks, further alienating them from the British military apparatus.
Administrative fragmentation was another tactic used by the British to weaken the unity of the Palestinian population. The British divided Palestine into separate administrative zones, with different levels of autonomy and governance. They established the **Jewish Settlement Police**, which operated exclusively in Jewish areas, while Arab areas were policed by the British-controlled **Palestine Police Force**. This created a sense of isolation and distrust between the two communities, as they were governed by different authorities with competing interests.
6. **Manipulating Media and Propaganda**:
British authorities also manipulated media and propaganda to control the narrative and perpetuate divisions. They used the British-owned **Palestine Post** and the Jewish-owned **Davar** newspaper to promote Zionist narratives and policies. These outlets often highlighted Jewish achievements and downplayed Arab grievances, contributing to a skewed public perception of the situation in Palestine.
Meanwhile, Arab newspapers were subject to censorship and repression. Any criticism of British policies or support for Arab nationalist movements was met with harsh penalties. This suppression of Arab voices in the media further deepened the divide between the two communities and made it difficult for Arabs to organize a cohesive resistance to British rule.
The Long-Lasting Impact of British Rule in Palestine:
The British “divide and rule” strategy in Palestine left a legacy of division, violence, and mistrust that continues to shape the Israeli-Palestinian conflict today. By favoring the Zionist movement and exacerbating sectarian and political divisions, the British set the stage for decades of conflict.
The 1948 **Nakba** (or “catastrophe”), when hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were displaced during the creation of the state of Israel, can be traced directly back to British policies that encouraged the fragmentation of Palestinian society. The divisions created during the British mandate period also laid the groundwork for the 1967 **Six-Day War**, the establishment of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
Today, the consequences of British imperialism in Palestine can be seen in the persistent barriers to peace in the region. The deep-rooted mistrust, economic disparity, and political fragmentation that were fostered by British policies remain significant obstacles to resolving the conflict.
Conclusion:
The British “divide and rule” policy in Palestine was a calculated effort to maintain control over a complex and divided society. By exploiting sectarian and political divisions, the British ensured that the Arab and Jewish populations would remain in conflict, unable to unite against their colonial rulers. This legacy of division continues to shape the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as both sides struggle with the consequences of decisions made during the British mandate period.
Understanding this history is crucial for developing a nuanced approach to resolving the conflict and promoting a just and lasting peace. Only by acknowledging the role of external powers in perpetuating the conflict can we begin to address the underlying issues that continue to fuel violence and mistrust in the region.