Abstract The paper looks at the Balfour declaration and examines the declaration that was produced by historical British solicitude for European Jewry. The paper explains how this and exigencies of World War I diplomacy contributed along with many other factors to Israeli independence in 1948. The paper details the circumstances that led to the adoption of the Balfour Declaration.
From the Paper "This research paper analyzes the circumstances which led to the adoption by the British government in November of the Balfour Declaration and discusses its principal consequences including the relationship between its adoption and implementation and the eventual establishment of the State of Israel."
Abstract This paper delves into the reasons why the British Government created the Balfour Declaration. It examines the true motives and despite their wish to help the Jews set up a homeland, they also had their own domestic issues at heart -from the necessity of securing the Suez Canal to the desire to empty their country of the Jewish people to avoid a rise of anti-Semitism.
From the Paper "The Balfour Declaration was declared partly to elicit support from the powerful American Jewry who, in gratitude, might convince the United States to help Great Britain in the allied war effort. The Allies' (Great Britain, France, and Russia) outlook for World War I was bleak at the time: most battles they were fighting or had fought ended in stalemate with no victor. They needed a new ally that would tip the balance in their favor, allowing them to defeat the Central Powers (Germany, Austria, and the Ottoman Empire). In the current stage of the war, the U.S. was apathetic to joining either side, but they had substantial military potential and financial resources. If Britain issued a document that favored a Jewish home in Palestine, they thought that this inducement would be enough to encourage American Jewry to aid Great Britain in the war.1 The British believed the American Jews were extremely wealthy and among U.S. President Wilson's top advisors. Contrary to this notion, there were very few American Jews that were politically powerful, wealthy, or even Zionists that would appreciate this type of document. Britain's ignorance of the status of American Jewry thus played a main factor in the issuance of the Balfour Declaration.2 Here it is apparent that the British claim of Zionist sentiment really had no effect on their decision to issue the Declaration. They acted quickly and complied with British Zionists to design a quid pro quo that said " if the Allies committed themselves to giving facilities for the establishment of a national home for the Jews in Palestine, [the Zionists] would do their best to rally Jewish sentiment and support throughout the world to the Allied cause."3 Hence, the British used the Balfour Declaration merely as a tool to utilize what they thought was powerful Jewish influence in the United States. It is most probable that if the Allies were winning World War I at the time, the Balfour Declaration would not have been issued. There was not a strong Zionist commitment within the British Parliament and the Jews were used only as a part of Great Britain's bigger plan to bring the U.S. on the Allied side.4"
Abstract This paper explores the impact the Balfour Declaration of 1917 and how it influences and endangers the Palestinian-Israel conflict. The author takes the reader on an exploratory look at the declaration as well as current problems that declaration is creating.
From the Paper "The history behind the Israel ? Palestinian conflict is long and complicated however there are several things that become more obvious as time goes on. One of the problems in the conflict that cannot be denied is the impact that the Balfour Declaration has on the situation today. In Daniel R. Brower?s, The World in the Twentieth Century From Empires to Nations Fifth Edition the detailed examination of the conflict makes the reader understand how the Balfour Declaration virtually ties the hands of the Palestinian participants with no obvious compromise or solution."
Abstract This paper discusses the reasons why the Balfour Declaration of 1917 was so important for the political and social developments in Palestine at the time. It discusses the history of the Declaration and the British interest in the area. The paper then shows how the ambiguity of the Declaration marked the beginnings of the Arab-Israeli conflict that still exists today.
From the Paper "The 1917 Balfour Declaration added to the tensions between the Palestinian Arabs and Jews worldwide, thus it can be seen as one of the beginnings of the Arab-Israeli war present in today's society. The ambiguity of the document led to much confusion between Jews as to what portion of Palestine would become theirs, which has been argued to have been part of the British government's aims in order to gain Jewish support for the war whilst being careful to keep peaceful relations with the Palestinian Arabs at the time. The Balfour Declaration was a document based on colonialism, nationalism and imperialism; the colonization of the Palestinian Arab's territory by the Jewish people according to Jewish ideals for a national homeland in Palestine, in order to secure the strategic Suez Canal and control over oil in the region."
Abstract This paper examines how, in "Understanding Administrative Evil", authors Guy B. Adams and Danny L. Balfour explore the idea and evolution of the concept of evil. It looks at how, over time, historical evil has evolved into administrative evil, a form of evil that is unique to modernity, and how the main differences between historical and administrative evil lie in the perpetrator's motivation. It analyzes how, to illustrate their arguments, Adams and Balfour cite numerous and varied cases of administrative evil, including the Jewish Holocaust, welfare reform, immigration, and the destructive organizational culture at NASA that spawned the Challenger tragedy.
From the Paper "To support their argument, Adams and Balfour apply their theory to a number of modern historical events. In their first study, the authors analyze the Holocaust, first by summarizing the debate between intentionalist and functionalist scholars. However, to fully understand the German society's complicity in the Holocaust, Adams and Balfour argue for a synthesis ? that the Holocaust grew out of a "confluence of historical and political forces, racist ideology and anti-Semitism, organizational competition and the bureaucratic processes of a highly developed modern society" (59)."
Abstract This paper discusses the impact of American policy support for Israel on the Arab-Israeli conflict. It acknowledges America's identity as a super-power, and as such, its ability to be a determining factor in the success of a foreign national agenda. The discussion explores the issue of American support for the Israeli cause.
From the Paper "As World War II drew to a close, and the planet was forced into a recalibration of unprecedented proportions, the United States began its long emergence as the most expansive super-power that had yet been known. Its influence, that would compete virulently with the post-war Soviet influence for half a century, has since disseminated into every facet of the geopolitical theatre. As such, American support can operate as the determining factor in the success of a national agenda."
Abstract The paper introduces the 3 major religions - Judaism, Islam and Christianity. It shows their historical ties to the Holy Land and the significance of these religions to Palestine and Israel. The paper then gives an overview of the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and surmises that the conflict is not a religious one, rather it is a struggle over land.
From the Paper "Moreover, to date, these conditions have further deteriorated in that area. The 11 September attacks were carried out by Arabs lead by Osama Bin Laden based in Afghanistan who expressed solidarity with the Palestinian cause for the first time. This also brought into world focus the South Asian region, US attacks in Afghanistan have further highlighted the second most dangerous flashpoint in the world that is between India and Pakistan.
The Palestinian/Israeli conflict and the south Asian situation can further get out of hand if both sides do not act rationally. Evicting one from the area will not solve the problem instead; it will further worsen the situation. Bilateral talks keeping in mind the proposals of both the sides. US can act as the mediator as it is world's only super power and in spite of all the failures of the recent past can broker a deal between all the concerned parties."
Abstract This paper examines the U.S. role as a superpower in the Arab-Israeli conflict and the position that the U.S. has taken throughout. American policy is analyzed in light of its respective relationships to the Arab world and to Israel and the Jews.
From the Paper "As World War II drew to a close, and the planet was forced into a recalibration of unprecedented proportions, the United States began its long emergence as the most expansive super-power that had yet been known. Its influence, that would compete virulently with the post-war Soviet influence for half a century, has since disseminated into every facet of the geopolitical theatre. As such, American support can operate as the determining factor in the success of a national agenda. Likewise, American dissent can be the stifling roadblock that sets nations adrift in failure and, consequently, resentment. So it's important to acknowledge that a nation's complaint of American neglect is more than just the bitter rhetoric of the disenfranchised. The emphasis placed on American approval and volition is fairly justified when one considers the weight and implication of the US stance on any given topic. And it's certainly fair to say that American intervention has been as significant a factor in the Arab-Israeli conflict as have been the opposing belief structures characterizing the two sides. As such, it's also reasonable to suggest that, as present evidence would purport, Israel's ascension to power and success in spite of violent opposition from all of its borders, could only be an indication of America's intense support."
Tags: superpower, mideast, Balfour, UN, WWII, zionism, Suez, Egypt, Jordan
A discussion on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, from a Palestinian perspective, focusing on a string of historical events leading up to the current political situation.
Abstract The following paper examines several issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, such as the Suez Canal crises, the Balfour Declaration, the Yom Kippur War and the Six Day War. The writer discusses the events that lead to the major unresolved issues that remain today in Israel, namely the status of Jerusalem; the future of Israeli settlements; and the rights of Palestine refugees. This paper is written by a pro-Palestinian supporter.
From the Paper "In 1994, Israel withdrew from the Gaza Strip and Jericho, ending 27 years of occupation. A Palestinian police force replaced them. In 1995, then a Jewish extremist assassinated Israeli Prime Minister, Yitzhak Rabin, who had been involved in the latest peace processes.
In April 1996, Israeli forces bombed Lebanon for 17 days, with Hezbollah retaliating by firing upon populated areas of Northern Israel. Israel also bombed a UN shelter, killing about 100 out of 800 civilians sheltering there. The UN claimed it was intentional. In 1998, the Wye River Memorandum planned Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank but Israel suspended it in 1999 due to internal disagreements on its implementation."
Abstract Examines causes of Arab nationalism. Early Arab revolts against the Ottomans; the Wahhabi revolt & others. Roots of Arab nationalism; Asabiyya. Ottomanism & self-determination. Muslim nationalism. "Young Turk" movement. Arab reaction to World War I. Allied policy. British alliance with Hussein. "Lawrence of Arabia." Pan-Arabism. Balfour Declaration. Treaties. Creation of the Middle East.
From the Paper "THE ARAB TRIBAL REVOLT OF WORLD WAR I AND ITS RESULT
Introduction
Few topics of study have generated as much heat as Arab nationalism. Few peoples are as poorly understood as today's Arabs. Even deciding who is an Arab or defining what is meant by Arab nationalism can easily get scholars and students into trouble, with both the Arabs and their detractors. Arab feeling is strong, and it is likely to grow stronger in the years ahead. It is also sometimes bitter, due to some of the unhappy experiences of the Arabs in the early twentieth century (Coury, 1998, 24).
The Arabs have not been united since the era of the High Caliphate, if indeed then. Furthermore, they have not ruled themselves from the time the Turks came into the region until quite ..."
Abstract This paper establishes the Jewish foundations for a claim to the Holy Land and the reasons their own nation was pursued. It traces the influential leaders who paved the way for the modern Zionist movement and describes the early leaders' successes and failures and their influence on the leaders who formed the World Zionist Organization. It also examines the steps leading up to the establishment of a Jewish homeland and the progress they made in settling and moving into this land.
From the Paper "An early precursor to Zionistic thought was Rabbi Yehudah Alkalai. In 1834, he wrote a booklet entitled Shema Yisrael (Hear, O Israel), in which he proposed the creation of Jewish colonies in the Holy Land as necessary to the Redemption of the land. The Blood Accusation of 1840, in which the Jews of Damascus were accused of sacrificing gentiles and using the blood of the victims in the Passover, convinced Alkalai that for security and freedom the Jewish people needed a life of its own, within its ancestral home. He believed the Jews would be able to buy this land from the Turks, as Abraham had bought the land from Ephram. To fulfill this goal, Alkalai proposed the formation a "Great Assembly" to create a national fund to purchase the land."
Abstract This paper explains that, although Zionists, who are people who believed that Jews should return to their ancient homeland, became active as early as the 19th century, the events of the 20th century resulted in the formation of the country of Israel. While many Israelis wanted to return to the land of their Biblical heritage, Palestine, Arabs in the Middle East did not think they should have to give up land for the new country. The author points out that two events in Israel's history since its formal establishment in 1947 show important facts about the country's history: the Six Day War in which the invading Arabs lost the Arab-designated area of Palestine, and the intifada, the current war over the Arabs desire to reclaim this land, a conflict over which both sides can be seen as both "right" and "wrong" and represents the greatest problem facing Israel today. The paper stresses that Israel's accomplishments are incredible in its 48 years. Israel has not yet worked out a solution to the problem of dislocated Palestinians. Through its military victories, Israel has demonstrated that warfare cannot solve this problem and that a peaceful solution will have to be found.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Recent History
Israel's Successes
From the Paper "As with any country's history, the victors write the history. Since Israel has managed to defend itself in multiple wars, Israel is the one who tells the story of those wars. Because of the Balfour Declaration endorsed by the League of Nations and supported by major powers of the world, Israel felt both morally and legally entitled to the land they occupied in Palestine. Critics note that this may have engendered an attitude by Israel that they were not responsible for the resulting Palestinian refugees. Cesarani (PAGE) notes that recent research by historians has shed new light on these issued."
Abstract The Zionist movement emerged in the 1890s and continues through today. The movement had a great impact on the creation of Israel. This paper shows that there are several key events that helped the Zionist movement and creation of Israel progress throughout history. The writer contends that the United States, Soviet Union and Great Britain all played key roles in the creation of Israel.
From the Paper "The declaration was immediately understood by the Zionists to be the most important international statement of support they had ever received to this date. All of the declaration's authors believed that a state would emerge once the Jews had attained a majority in Palestine. (Morris 1999) It is interesting to note that the term "national home" was intentionally used instead of "state" and the British made an effort over the following decades to deny that a "state" was its intention with the Balfour Declaration."
Tags: Jewish, Theodor, Herzl, Balfour, Declaration, United, Nations
Abstract For every historical event, there are numerous interpretations as to why it occurred. The U.N. Mandate to create the State of Israel involved a complexity of issues and complications whose ramifications continue to resonate in the world today. The reasons for the creation of the Mandate and the resulting fate of the Palestinian people began long before the actual Mandate itself. To analyze why the U.N. created Israel, this paper examines several contributing factors: The force and desires of the Zionist movement, the Balfour Declaration, the relationship between Britain, the United States and various Arab countries, British and American interests in Palestine and the impact of the Holocaust. The paper takes on a pro-Palestine perspective.
From the Paper "However, if the Exodus incident had not occurred then the visit by UNSCOP to the Displaced Persons Camps would have swung the vote in the Zionist's favor. There, the Committee members had to face over 350,000 Holocaust survivors. No matter what land claims the Palestinians had in their favor, the Committee could not bring themselves to ignore the plight of those who had survived the Nazi death camps. The Committee became convinced that a Jewish state was now the only solution (Ibid 25)."
Abstract The paper documents how on May 14, 1948, the modern state of Israel was born. The right to found a modern Jewish homeland had been granted as far back as November 2, 1917, with the Balfour Declaration, although it took three decades before it came to fruition. This paper offers a four-page timeline of modern Israel, from its founding in 1948 to the present day.
From the Paper "This state was finally formed after a resolution passed by the United Nations on November 29, 1947 cleared the way for its "national rebirth in its own country" (Israel 1). Unfortunately, the highlights in Israel's recent past have been connected with war, not with significant cultural events. Not everyone met the founding of this country with enthusiasm. On May 15, 1948, one day after the Proclamation of Independence, Israel's War for Independence began."
