Seltzer: Modern Jewish History 1914-1945

Abstract

This section provides a sequential overview of events affecting the Jewish community in the land of Israel between World War I and World War II. Perhaps the most significant factor to affect the Yishuv is the rising tension between Jewish and Arab relations. In spite of this Arab threat Jews were divided amongst themselves. For example, Seltzer writes that the World Zionist Organization was at odds with “leaders of the Union of Zionist Revisionists.” The Revisionists, a highly militant organization “advocated active retaliation against Arab attacks. With the World at the brink of another World War and Arab leaders in pursuit of all out war with Israel “the British published a White paper announcing that there would be no partition of Palestine.” This policy statement made void Britain’s earlier position to partition Palestine between Jews and Arabs. Seltzer suggests that Britain’s position to abandon their commitment to the Yishuv was based on an effort to maintain peaceful relations with Arab countries, fearing the likelihood of a Second World War.