Why Didn't Palestinians Get Their Own State After World War II?

Israel's creation in 1948 has often been a source of contention, with many suggesting that Palestinians were offered a homeland and rejected it. This narrative, however, requires a more nuanced examination, particularly in light of historical events and the complex political landscape of the time.

Multiple Offers for a Palestinian State

There have indeed been several offers for establishing a Palestinian state, which were consistently rejected by Palestinian leaders and representatives. It is important to understand the context in which these offers were made and why they were not accepted.

The Partition Plan of 1947

The Partition Plan of 1947 proposed by the United Nations was a significant milestone. It aimed to divide the British Mandate of Palestine into two independent states: one Jewish and one Arab. The plan envisaged that the Jewish state would consist of approximately 55% of the land, while the Arab state would encompass about 44% of the area, with the city of Jerusalem to be administered separately.

While this plan offered a viable pathway to an independent Palestinian state, it faced several obstacles. The Arab states and their leaders, including Hashemite rulers of Jordan and Egypt, did not support the partition. They believed it would weaken their influence in the region and were opposed to the idea of a Jewish state.

Ambition and Rejection

It is crucial to recognize that Palestinians and their leaders did not merely decline the opportunity for statehood. They actively sought to undermine and destroy efforts to create an independent Palestinian state. For them, the ultimate objective was not the establishment of a Palestinian nation, but the annexation and absorption of the territory that had been designated for the Jewish state in the partition plan.

The Reality of 1948

During the 1948 War (also known as the War of Independence), several Arab armies invaded Israel, targeting both the newly declared state and its Jewish population. This military intervention was intended to prevent the establishment of a Jewish state and to incorporate the territories into their own spheres of influence. Consequently, this military action negated the possibility of a Palestinian state by absorbing the land into their respective domains.

Jordan and the West Bank

Following the war, Jordan (then known as the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan) took control of the West Bank, which had been allocated for the Palestinian state under the partition plan. The inhabitants of the West Bank became Jordanian citizens. Simultaneously, Egypt occupied the Gaza Strip, further solidifying a situation where Palestinian aspirations for statehood were overshadowed by the geopolitical ambitions of neighboring Arab states.

Persistent Rejection and Modern Context

The rejection of the partition plan in 1947 was not an isolated incident. Throughout the subsequent years, Palestinian leaders have continued to reject offers for statehood. This was evident in various peace negotiations and proposals, where the goal has consistently been the dismantling of the Israeli state rather than the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

This persistent rejection is rooted in the broader political philosophy that considers the establishment of a Jewish state unacceptable. Instead, the focus has been on achieving full sovereignty over the entire territory through various means, including military and political actions.

The Historical Background

The decision to establish a national home for the Jewish people in Palestine was based on historical events and agreements. In 1918, as the Ottoman Empire disintegrated, the Emir Feisal, who represented the Arab leaders, agreed to the concept of a Jewish homeland in exchange for recognition of Arab sovereignty over parts of the Arab world.

However, the subsequent division of the region by the League of Nations, which included the creation of the British Mandate for Palestine, did not fully materialize these early agreements. The Mandate was designed to foster cooperation between the Jewish and Arab communities, but it was ultimately complicated by political, demographic, and military realities.

In conclusion, the complex historical and political context surrounding the establishment of Israel and the rejection of Palestinian statehood is multifaceted. The post-World War II offer of a Palestinian state was not simply a matter of a failed opportunity but part of a broader geopolitical struggle between different national aspirations and competing interests in the region.