Introduction to Arab-Jewish Relations in Mandatory Palestine

Since the late 19th century, modern European Jews had been contemplating the idea of colonizing Palestine. In 1899, the First Zionist Congress was held in Basle, Switzerland, marking the beginning of organized efforts to establish a Jewish homeland in the region. One of the key strategies employed by the Zionist movement was the establishment of the Jewish National Fund (JNF) in 1901. The purpose of JNF was to purchase land in Palestine to pave the way for the establishment of a “Jewish state.” However, this project faced significant challenges, primarily due to Palestinian resistance and the lack of willing sellers.

The Impact of Land Acquisition Efforts

Despite the substantial capital collected by JNF from around the world, their efforts to acquire land in Palestine were met with resistance. Palestinians not only refused to sell their lands but actively worked against the Zionist land acquisition policies. By 1947, JNF had managed to purchase less than 5.8% of the land in Palestine, a mere fraction of the Te-Aviv city area as it stands today.

Assessing Local Palestinian Inhabitants

To overcome their land acquisition challenges and facilitate the colonization process, the Zionist colonizers resorted to collecting and analyzing detailed information on local Palestinian inhabitants. As Ilan Pappe illustrates, the JNF was tasked with compiling a comprehensive inventory of Palestinian villages. This inventory, completed by the late 1930s, included detailed information such as the topographic location of each village, the number of cultivated lands, the quality of fruits, and the average amount of land per family. Additionally, it included descriptions of village mosques and names of their imams along with political affiliations and personal details of the inhabitants.

Creation of Terrorist Organizations

Recognizing the need for more aggressive measures, the Zionists turned to creating several terrorist organizations. These included Lehi, Irgun, and Stern. These groups began operating as early as the 1920s, with the primary goal of eliminating any Palestinians who stood in the way of Zionist colonization. The actions of these groups were marked by brutal and violent campaigns.

Systematic Plan for Ethnic Cleansing

With the intention of systematically removing Palestinians from Palestine, a detailed plan was put in place. As early as December 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt indicated his support for moving Arabs out of Palestine. This was echoed in the plans of Zionists who sought to establish a Jewish state through ethnic cleansing.

The plan was centered around the establishment of the Hagana, the dominant Zionist paramilitary militia during the British Mandate period. On March 10, 1948, David Ben-Gurion, who would later become Israel's first prime minister, convened a meeting with leading Zionists and young Jewish military officers to finalize the plan for ethnic cleansing. The strategy involved large-scale acts of violence, including intimidation, siege, bombardment, and burning of homes and properties. The plan also included forced expulsion and the demolition of villages, followed by the planting of mines to prevent return.

Documentation of Massacres and Expulsions

The process of ethnic cleansing was marked by numerous massacres. According to historical records, there were over 70 documented massacres during the period. These were typically carried out systematically by Zionist terrorist groups to terrorize the native Palestinians and force them out of their homes. One notable document, Red House, serves as detailed evidence of these plans and actions.

Conclusion

The history of Arab-Jewish relations in Mandatory Palestine is complex and fraught with conflict. The efforts to establish a Jewish state in the region, while achieved, were underpinned by significant violence and displacement. As the world grapples with the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, it is important to recognize and understand the roots of these tensions, including the practices of ethnic cleansing that occurred during the early years of the Zionist movement.

To explore further, consider researching additional sources and primary documents that discuss the socio-political dynamics of the time. Understanding this history is crucial for developing a more nuanced and informed perspective on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.