1936-1939 Arab revolt in Palestine

1936-1939 Arab revolt in Palestine
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Conflict	1936-1939 Arab revolt in Palestine
Date	1936-1939
Place	Palestine

1936-1939 Arab revolt in Palestine was a widespread uprising against British rule in Palestine, which was then under British Mandate. The revolt was led by Arab Higher Committee, a coalition of Palestinian Arabs and was supported by Iraq, Syria, and Transjordan. Key figures such as Amin al-Husseini, Izz ad-Din al-Qassam, and Fawzi al-Qawuqji played important roles in the revolt, which was also influenced by events in neighboring countries, including the Syrian Great Revolt and the Iraqi revolt against the British.

Background

The British Mandate for Palestine was established in 1920, following the defeat of the Ottoman Empire in World War I. The mandate was based on the Balfour Declaration, which expressed support for the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine. This led to an influx of Jewish immigration to Palestine, which was opposed by the Palestinian Arab population, who felt that their rights and interests were being threatened. The Palestine Arab Congress and the Arab Executive were formed to represent the interests of the Palestinian Arabs, while the Jewish Agency for Palestine represented the interests of the Jewish community in Palestine. The Peel Commission and the Woodhead Commission were established to investigate the situation in Palestine and propose solutions, but their reports were rejected by both the Arab Higher Committee and the Jewish Agency for Palestine.

Causes of the Revolt

The revolt was sparked by a combination of factors, including the Jewish immigration to Palestine, the land ownership in Palestine, and the economic conditions in Palestine. The Palestinian Arabs felt that the British government was not doing enough to protect their rights and interests, and that the Jewish community in Palestine was being given preferential treatment. The Qassamite movement, led by Izz ad-Din al-Qassam, played a key role in the early stages of the revolt, while the Arab Higher Committee, led by Amin al-Husseini, provided overall leadership. The Syrian Great Revolt and the Iraqi revolt against the British also influenced the revolt, as did the Italian invasion of Ethiopia and the Spanish Civil War.

Course of the Revolt

The revolt began in April 1936, with a series of attacks on Jewish settlements in Palestine and British targets in Palestine. The Arab Higher Committee called for a general strike, which was supported by the Palestinian Arab population. The British government responded with force, deploying troops from the British Army and the Royal Air Force to Palestine. The Palestine Police Force and the Jewish Supernumerary Police were also involved in suppressing the revolt. Key events during the revolt included the Battle of Beersheba, the Battle of Haifa, and the Siege of Jaffa. The Revolt's leadership was also influenced by external factors, including the Mufti of Jerusalem and the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem.

Suppression of the Revolt

The revolt was eventually suppressed by the British government, with the help of the Jewish community in Palestine and the Transjordanian Arab Legion. The British government imposed martial law in Palestine, and the Palestine Police Force was reinforced with troops from the British Army. The Arab Higher Committee was banned, and many of its leaders were arrested or forced into exile. The Jewish Agency for Palestine played a key role in supporting the British government's efforts to suppress the revolt, and the Haganah and the Irgun were involved in fighting against the Arab rebels. The Suppression of the revolt was also influenced by the Anglo-Italian Agreement and the Munich Agreement.

Aftermath and Consequences

The revolt had significant consequences for the Palestinian Arabs and the Jewish community in Palestine. The British government's response to the revolt led to a significant increase in Jewish immigration to Palestine, which further exacerbated tensions between the two communities. The White Paper of 1939 was published, which proposed limits on Jewish immigration to Palestine and the establishment of a Palestinian state. The Arab Higher Committee rejected the proposals, while the Jewish Agency for Palestine accepted them. The Revolt's aftermath was also influenced by the Outbreak of World War II and the Invasion of Poland.

International Involvement

The revolt received support from several countries, including Iraq, Syria, and Transjordan. The Arab League was formed in 1945, in part as a response to the revolt and the need for greater Arab cooperation. The United States and the Soviet Union also played a role in the revolt, with the United States providing support to the Jewish community in Palestine and the Soviet Union providing support to the Arab Higher Committee. The League of Nations and the United Nations also became involved in the conflict, with the United Nations Special Committee on Palestine being established to investigate the situation in Palestine. The International involvement was also influenced by the Yalta Conference and the Potsdam Conference. Category:Palestinian history