Is Palestine Considered to Be the Jewish National Home?

Asia West North Carolina A&T State University Spring 2018 HIST 130.Sect.#12 The World Since 1945 Group 4: Written Assignment I: Question 4. 4 Based upon the document, The Zionist Organization: Memorandum to the Peace Conference in Versailles: On the Establishment of a Jewish State in Palestine; February 3, 1919 How does the Zionist Organization justify its claims to a portion of Palestinian land as the Jewish National Home? How do authors of the memorandum seek to address the fears that the creation of a Jewish homeland might inspire in Palestinians and others? According to the Zionists, what is the symbolic importance for Jews everywhere of a national homeland? Why do the Zionists want Great Britain to oversee this operation as the “Mandatory Power”? Zionists who had long tried to set up a Jewish state in the Middle East observed a Paris Peace Conference as a chance to pick up help for their journey. Officially upheld by Great Britain, Zionist pioneers perceived that the united forces would address the redistribution of states far and wide and the fate of the Middle East.

An individual from the Zionist association – an umbrella association that combined Zionist gatherings in Europe and somewhere else – and their partners were worried about what this may mean for them, and Jewish pioneers drafted an update that presented their defense to the Allied for the production of a Jewish in Palestine. The Zionist Organization justifies its claims to a portion of Palestinian land as the Jewish national home by submitting a respectful draft of a resolution to be considerate for the peace conference. The draft states “The High Contracting Parties recognize the historic title of the Jewish people to Palestine and the right of the Jews to reconstitute in Palestine their National Home” (Zionist, 2).

The Jews feel since they owned historically rights to some of the land, therefore, should be allowed to develop on parts of it. The Jews historically title provided them the right to reconstitute in Palestine. The Zionist organization submitted this draft because they wanted the people to understand the decision they made for the Jewish to governor was not only based on power but who and what would be best for the country. The Zionist Organization also states, “The mandate shall be subject also to following special conditions: I. Palestine shall be placed under political, administrative, and economic conditions as will secure the establishment there of the Jewish National Home and ultimately render possible the creation of an autonomous Commonwealth, it being clearly understood that nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine on the rights and political status enjoyed by Jews in any other country” (2) The Palestine people wanted it to be understood that they do and still own rights to the land; therefore, they should have the right to live as freely as possible. They did not want to nor thought it was ethical to be put under strict rules by the new government because of their rights to some of the land. They also feel that if anything was to be discovered on their land they should gain some form of wealth from it.

The authors of the memorandum seek to address the fears that the creation of a Jewish homeland might inspire in Palestinians and others by setting boundaries in place that the Jews could not cross. Some boundaries were, “Palestine must have its natural outlets to the sea and the control of its rivers and their headwaters” (Zionist, 6) The limits are portrayed with the general financial needs and memorable customs of the nation as the main priority factor, which essentially should likewise be considered by the Special Commission in settling the unequivocal limit lines. Also, in The Zionist Organization draft resolution it states, “There shall for ever the fullest of freedom of religious worship for all creds in Palestine. There shall encourage be no discrimination among the inhabitants with regard to citizenship and civil rights, on the grounds of religion or of race” (Zionist, 4). These boundaries of request give the Palestine sense of relief in regard to continuing their current way of life. They will not have to lose their identity does to having a new government. The symbolic importance of Jews everywhere of a national homeland is how they will evolve the world and help in produce money.

The document states, “To promote the future development of the country great sums will be needed for drainage, irrigation, roads, railways, harbors, and public works of all kinds, as well as for land settlement and house building. Assuming a political settlement under which the establishment of a Jewish National Home in Palestine is assured the Jews of the world will make every effort to provide the vast sums of money that will be needed…” (Zionist, 5). The Jews were in great standings to provide an uprising in the country. They had the power to provide the country with drainage, roads, railroads, and many other developments. The Jews would also see that homes were built and developed for the people because this was a new essential element to life in Palestine. The new development by the Jews would bring jobs to the country for the people.

The Zionist want Great Britain to oversee this operation as the “Mandatory Power” because it is the wishes of the Jews of the world and the League of Nations. “The selection of Great Britain as Mandatary is urged on the grounds that this is the wish of the Jews of the world and the League of Nations in selecting a Mandatory will follow as far as possible, the popular wish of the people concerned” (Zionist, 5). It is thought that the British would be best in looking out for the Greater good for the people of Palestine. It also states, “The preference on the part of the Jews for a British trusteeship is unquestionably the result of the peculiar relationship of England to the Jewish Palestinian problem. The return of the Jews to Zion has not only been a remarkable feature in English literature, but in the domain of statecraft it has played its part, beginning readmission of the Jews under Cromwell” (Zionist, 5). The readmission of Jews under Cromwell is a law made in the 1600s that allowed Jews to return to England, in part due to religious tolerance and to stimulate the British economy.

The Jewish return allows them to move freely. It also provides British with economic uprising or development that is needed in Palestine. The Jewish had the trust of the Palestine people, which is what the British needed to develop in this country. Works Cited: 1. “Document 28.4.” Zionist, German, and Japanese, Views on the End of WWI, by The Zionist Organization, 1919