British Mandate

What was the British Mandate?

The Mandate was the legal authority of Britain to rule over Palestine as given by the League of Nations in 1923.

What were the terms of the British Mandate?

Britain had to protect the rights of Palestinian Arabs, establish a homeland for Jews and prepare the country for independence.

What did the Palestinian Arabs think of the British Mandate?

The Palestinian Arabs wanted independence immediately so they were furious. They were not consulted and did not want to give up land for the Jewish Homeland to be created.

What did the Jews think of the British Mandate?

The Jews were pleased they would now have a Homeland and the Jewish Agency was set up to encourage immigration to Palestine. By 1931 the population of Jews had more than doubled.

How many Jews moved to Palestine because of the British Mandate?

By 1931 the population of Jews in Palestine was about 175,000. By 1935 another 135,000 had arrived, mostly escaping the Nazis.

What tensions did the British Mandate cause?

Hundreds of Arabs and Jews were killed in violent clashes. It resulted in:

• ❖ The Jews formed the Irgun, a terrorist organisation. Aiming to protect themselves and ensure their homeland was created, by violence if necessary.
• ❖ 1936-39 saw an Arab uprising against the British. It took 20,000 British troops and the Haganah to put it down. It resulted in the death of 10% of Adult Arabs in Palestine.
• ❖ A partition of the country was suggested to stop the violence. Jews accepted it. Arabs rejected it.

How did the outbreak of the Second World War affect the British Mandate?

Britain needed the oil from the Middle East and so they needed the Palestinian Arabs on their side. This led to them limiting Jewish immigration into Palestine to 10,000 a year for five years. This led to the Palestinian Jews setting up Lehi, an extremist group.

Why did the British Mandate end?

Britain announced they would withdraw on the 15th May 1948 because it was in an impossible position. It needed to keep both the USA and Middle East happy for economic and oil reasons. It was unable to do this. The British public wanted to bring back their soldiers as the Second World War was over but they were still there. It was also injuring Britain's reputation due to their actions around the SS Exodus.