Empire: World History 298. Gaza: The British Occupation of Palestine (Part 8)
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Oct 13, 2025 Caroline Elkins, a Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and author of *Legacy of Violence*, delves into the complexities of the British Mandate in Palestine. She reveals the overlapping promises made by Britain, including the Balfour Declaration. Elkins discusses the violent tactics employed by the Black and Tans and their infamous reputation from Ireland. The conversation covers rising tensions, such as the 1929 Jerusalem riots, illustrating how state-directed violence and colonial policies fueled conflict and deepened divisions between Jewish and Arab communities.
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Mandate Legally Entrenched Balfour
- The League of Nations mandate incorporated the Balfour Declaration and legally required Britain to promote Jewish immigration and land settlement.
- Elkins highlights the Permanent Mandates Commission's pro‑Zionist oversight constrained British policy options.
Samuel’s Policy Shift Increased Tension
- Herbert Samuel, a pro‑Zionist high commissioner, reversed prior policy to allow Jewish immigration and land purchases.
- Samuel's actions accelerated tensions by empowering Zionist settlement and dispossessing Arab tenants.
Mufti Becomes Parallel Power
- The British appointed Haj Amin al‑Husseini as Grand Mufti to channel Arab leadership, but he used the role to build parallel institutions.
- Elkins shows the Mufti developed patronage, schools, and restorations that made him a central Arab leader.
