British Occupation Background

Sykes-Picot

During WWI, when it became apparent that the allies were winning, a clandestine meeting took place from which emerged the Sykes-Picot Agreement of 1916. Sykes-Picot, which was named after the British and French diplomats taking part in the discussions, attempted to determine the outcome of the conquered territory after the fall of the Ottoman Empire. Ottoman territory was to be divided up by the French and British Allied Powers. The British, under the authority of the League of Nations, would administer Palestine (today’s Jordan and Israel). This became known as the British Mandate. 

Sykes-Picot
Mark Sykes and Francois George Picot, the British and French representatives

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Currency of Palestine (notice the Hebrew)
Currency of Palestine (notice the Hebrew)

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British Occupation_Sykes-Picot Map
Sykes Picot Map of 1916

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mandatemap
Original British Mandate for a Jewish Homeland
in Palestine

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Balfour Declaration

In 1917, Lord Balfour, on behalf of the British Government, ordered a declaration stating that:

His Majesty’s Government views with favour the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people, and will use their best endeavours to facilitate the achievement of this object, it being clearly understood that nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine, or the rights and political status enjoyed by Jews in any other country.”  – This was incorporated into the British Mandate. The Balfour Declaration became legally binding at the San Remo conference (see The Legality of Israel).  

balfour-declaration
Official announcement of the Balfour Declaration

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The Balfour Declaration
The Balfour Declaration

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