June 19, 2015 • 3hr 19min
#2 - Fear and Loathing in the New Jerusalem, pt. 2
The Martyr Made Podcast
Key Takeaways
- The aftermath of World War I created chaos in the Middle East as the Ottoman Empire collapsed and European powers carved up the region
- Arab nationalists sought independence but were betrayed by European powers, particularly France and Britain
- Zionist Jews began immigrating to Palestine in larger numbers, leading to increasing tensions with the Arab population
- The British struggled to balance their commitments to both Arabs and Zionists, often sending mixed messages
- Violence between Arabs and Jews escalated, with major riots in 1920 and 1921
- Zionist leaders became increasingly militant and determined to establish a Jewish state, while Arab leaders tried to resist Jewish immigration
- The seeds were planted for decades of conflict between Jews and Arabs in Palestine
Introduction
This episode covers the tumultuous period in Palestine and the broader Middle East immediately following World War I. With the Ottoman Empire defeated, Arab nationalists sought independence while European powers, particularly Britain and France, sought to extend their influence in the region. Meanwhile, Zionist Jews began immigrating to Palestine in larger numbers with the goal of establishing a Jewish homeland. These competing interests set the stage for decades of conflict.
Topics Discussed
Post-War Chaos in the Middle East (0:00)
The episode begins by describing the chaotic situation in the Middle East after World War I. The Ottoman Empire had collapsed, leaving a power vacuum. Arab nationalists who had fought against the Ottomans now sought independence. However, European powers, particularly Britain and France, had made conflicting promises during the war and now sought to extend their own influence in the region.
- The Sykes-Picot Agreement between Britain and France divided up Ottoman territories
- Arabs felt betrayed as promises of independence were broken
- Famine and disease had devastated much of the region during the war
"The smell of gunsmoke still lays thick over the landscape, and the ink is still wet on the Balfour Declaration and the several new international agreements."
Arab Nationalism and Emir Faisal (15:00)
The episode discusses the efforts of Emir Faisal, son of the Sharif of Mecca, to establish an independent Arab state centered in Syria. Faisal had led Arab forces against the Ottomans during WWI and now sought to create a unified Arab nation.
- Faisal declared the independent Arab Kingdom of Syria in 1920
- France opposed this, claiming Syria under the Sykes-Picot agreement
- Faisal was forced to surrender to French forces
- This crushed Arab hopes for a unified independent state
"Faisal had been betrayed. I mean, there's no other way to put it. And looking back, most of us think what he was probably finally thinking in that moment. Of course, he was betrayed."
The Balfour Declaration and Zionist Immigration (30:00)
The episode explains how the 1917 Balfour Declaration, in which Britain expressed support for a Jewish homeland in Palestine, led to increased Jewish immigration. This created tensions with the Arab population.
- Zionist leaders like Chaim Weizmann pushed for Jewish immigration
- The Jewish population in Palestine grew rapidly
- Arabs feared being displaced from their land
- British officials sent mixed messages about their intentions
"Whatever Weizman was telling Faisal, his allies in Palestine were seeing what this American commission was seeing. They were seeing Zionists out in the streets holding parades and rallies celebrating the Balfour declaration and circulating pamphlets and giving speeches that were openly talking about Palestine being taken over all together, made into a Jewish state."
The Nebi Musa Riots of 1920 (45:00)
The episode describes the outbreak of violence between Arabs and Jews during the Nebi Musa festival in Jerusalem in April 1920. This marked a turning point in Arab-Jewish relations.
- Tensions were high as Arabs protested Zionist immigration
- Violence erupted, with attacks on Jews by Arab mobs
- 5 Jews were killed and over 200 wounded
- The British were unable to contain the violence
- Zionists accused the British of failing to protect them
"Whatever Weizman was telling Faisal, his allies in Palestine were seeing Zionists out in the streets holding parades and rallies celebrating the Balfour declaration and circulating pamphlets and giving speeches that were openly talking about Palestine being taken over all together, made into a Jewish state."
Herbert Samuel as High Commissioner (1:00:00)
The episode discusses the appointment of Herbert Samuel, a British Jew and Zionist supporter, as High Commissioner of Palestine in 1920. This further alarmed the Arab population.
- Samuel tried to balance Arab and Zionist interests
- He imposed limits on Jewish immigration
- Samuel advocated for a binational state with both Jews and Arabs
- Zionists felt betrayed by Samuel's attempts at compromise
"Samuel had dedicated his life to Zionism for many, many years. He had done as much as anyone to this point to move the Zionist cause forward. But they abandoned him after this."
The Jaffa Riots of 1921 (1:15:00)
The episode describes another outbreak of violence in May 1921, starting with clashes between communist and labor Zionist groups and spiraling into Arab attacks on Jews.
- 47 Jews and 48 Arabs were killed
- Hundreds were wounded on both sides
- British forces used aircraft and machine guns against Arab rioters
- The violence shocked British officials
- A British investigation again blamed Zionist provocations
"When it was over, 47 Jews had been killed and 48 Arabs were dead. Hundreds were wounded. The Jaffa riots sent another shockwave through the British administration and the Zionist movement."
Increasing Militancy of Zionist Leaders (1:30:00)
The episode explains how Zionist leaders became increasingly militant and determined to establish a Jewish state after the outbreaks of violence. Figures like David Ben-Gurion rejected compromise with the Arabs.
- Ben-Gurion said there was "no solution" to the conflict with Arabs
- Some leaders openly spoke of conquering the land from Arabs
- Zionists began preparing for armed conflict
- More moderate voices were marginalized
"Behind the scenes, Ben Gurion ridiculed those who thought that there was any room at all for compromise between the Jews and the Arabs."
British "Divide and Rule" Tactics (1:45:00)
The episode describes how the British used "divide and rule" tactics to maintain control, playing Arab factions against each other.
- The British exploited rivalries between Arab families
- They appointed leaders from competing factions to different roles
- This prevented a unified Arab resistance
- But it also planted seeds for future conflict
"The whole point was to tie up a society in so many confusing knots that it spends all its energy struggling against itself."
Conclusion
The episode concludes by reflecting on the tragic nature of the developing conflict, with both Jews and Arabs feeling existentially threatened. It sets the stage for decades of violence to come as both sides became increasingly uncompromising in their goals. The seeds were planted for a protracted struggle over the land of Palestine that continues to this day.
The host ends with a somber reflection: "Palestine's about to show us that in the absence of better choices, these four things can serve as the foundation of the world. Only it's a world where every value is turned upside down, where rape is called love, where every murderer is a hero and every mangled corpse is lifted up as a martyr."