Britain’s Palestine Policy and the Institutionalization of Jewish Immigration to Palestine (1917-1925)

Authors : Yusuf Dinçel

Pages : 320-340

Doi:10.19059/mukaddime.1708913

View : 308 | Download : 873

Publication Date : 2025-11-29

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :This article analyzes the conditions under which Jews migrated to Palestine and how Britain handled Jewish immigration. With the occupation of Palestine by Britain in 1917, a period marked by conflict and turmoil began in the region. In the early years of the occupation, how Britain would establish an administration in Palestine was a matter of great curiosity. However, the Balfour Declaration, which was announced just before the occupation, was a significant document in terms of revealing what the inhabitants of Palestine would face. The Balfour Declaration, published as a result of intensive negotiations between the British and the Jews, declared that Britain would support the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine. At this point, in order to increase the number of Jews -who were fewer in number compared to the Arabs in the region- Zionists encouraged Jewish migration from Europe to Palestine. The Zionists promoted Jewish immigration by disregarding the Arabs. The policy of displacing Arabs from their lands and settling Jews in their place was implemented intensively from the early years of the occupation of Palestine. During this period, the Arabs submitted petitions to the League of Nations in an effort to mobilize the international community against the injustices they faced. This process has been attempted to be revealed through the petitions and reports reflected in some League of Nations and British archival documents. This study also examines the measures taken by the Ottoman State to prevent Jewish immigration, based on Ottoman archival documents.
Keywords : Filistin, İngiltere, Yahudi Göçü, Araplar, Milletler Cemiyeti

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