Outline of The Details Behind the British Creation of Palestinian Terrorism at the Center of the Israel/Palestinian Arab Conflict

By Jerry Elman, May 29, 2024

World War I and the Ottoman Empire’s Collapse

• 1914-1918 World War I: The Ottoman Empire sided with the Central Powers and faced defeats on multiple fronts, leading to its eventual collapse.
• 1916 Sykes-Picot Agreement: A secret agreement between Britain and France, dividing the Ottoman Empire’s Middle Eastern territories into British and French spheres of influence.
• 1917 Balfour Declaration: The British government issued the Balfour Declaration, expressing support for the establishment of a “national home for the Jewish people” in Palestine. This increased tensions between Jewish and Arab communities.

Post-War Settlement and Mandate System

• 1920 San Remo Conference: The Allied Supreme Council assigned Britain the mandate for Palestine, formalizing the territory’s status under British administration. The conference also assigned France the mandates for Syria and Lebanon.
• 1922 League of Nations Mandate: The League of Nations granted Britain the Mandate for Palestine, including provisions for establishing a Jewish national home while protecting the civil and religious rights of the existing non-Jewish communities.

Formation of Transjordan

• 1921 Cairo Conference: Britain created the Emirate of Transjordan, appointing Abdullah I as the emir. This excluded Transjordan from the Jewish national home area, reducing the territorial scope of the British Mandate of Palestine.
• 1922 Transjordan Memorandum: The League of Nations approved the exclusion of Transjordan from the provisions of the Mandate concerning the Jewish national home.

British Deal with the Saudis

• 1927 Treaty of Jeddah: Britain recognized the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Hejaz and Nejd (later Saudi Arabia) under Ibn Saud in exchange for stability and cooperation in the region.

British Influence in Iraq, Persia, and Egypt

Mandates and Treaties

• 1920 Treaty of Sèvres: This treaty dissolved the Ottoman Empire, leading to British mandates over Mesopotamia (Iraq) and Palestine. It also acknowledged British interests in Persia (Iran) and recognized the autonomy of the Kingdom of Hejaz.
• 1921 Cairo Conference: This conference created Transjordan and established Faisal I as King of Iraq under British influence.
• 1936 Anglo-Egyptian Treaty: This treaty granted Egypt greater independence while allowing British control over the Suez Canal, a strategic asset in the Middle East.

Creation of Lebanon and Syria under French Mandate

French Mandates

• 1920 San Remo Conference: The conference assigned the mandate for Syria and Lebanon to France, dividing the former Ottoman territories into French and British spheres of influence.
• 1920 Creation of Greater Lebanon: France established Greater Lebanon as a separate entity from Syria, with a diverse population of Maronite Christians, Sunni and Shia Muslims, and Druze.
• 1925-1927 Great Syrian Revolt: Syrian nationalists revolted against French rule, seeking independence. The revolt was suppressed but set the stage for future Syrian nationalism.

Escalating Violence in the Mandate Period

Early Riots and Massacres

• 1920 Nebi Musa Riots: Violent Arab protests against Jewish immigration and the Balfour Declaration in Jerusalem resulted in the deaths of five Jews and four Arabs.
• 1921 Jaffa Riots: Anti-Jewish riots in Jaffa and other locations led to the deaths of 47 Jews and 48 Arabs, highlighting growing tensions.
• 1929 Hebron and Safed Massacres: Arab riots against Jewish communities in Hebron and Safed resulted in the deaths of 133 Jews and 116 Arabs, deepening the divide between the communities.

1936-1939 Arab Revolt

• Palestinian Arabs revolted against British rule and Jewish immigration, leading to widespread violence, British military crackdowns, and significant casualties on both sides.

Role of Haj Amin al-Husseini, Grand Mufti of Jerusalem

Appointment and Influence

• 1921: Haj Amin al-Husseini was appointed Grand Mufti of Jerusalem by the British High Commissioner, Herbert Samuel. Al-Husseini became a significant religious and political leader for Palestinian Arabs.
• Supreme Muslim Council: Al-Husseini was also appointed president of the Supreme Muslim Council, giving him control over Islamic institutions and endowments in Palestine.

Incitement and Revolt

• 1929 Western Wall Riots: Al-Husseini played a role in inciting the 1929 riots, which resulted in widespread violence against Jews in Jerusalem, Hebron, and Safed. His inflammatory rhetoric accused Jews of trying to take control of the Western Wall and other holy sites.
• 1936-1939 Arab Revolt: Al-Husseini was a key organizer of the Arab Revolt, leading to prolonged violence against British authorities and Jewish communities. He sought support from Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy during World War II, hoping to secure Arab independence.

Anti-Jewish Activities and Rhetoric

• Collaboration with Nazi Germany: During World War II, al-Husseini met with Adolf Hitler and other high-ranking Nazi officials. He expressed support for the Nazi regime’s anti-Jewish policies and advocated for the extension of the Holocaust to the Middle East.
• Radio Broadcasts: Al-Husseini made anti-Semitic radio broadcasts from Berlin, calling for the extermination of Jews and encouraging Arabs to support the Nazi war effort.
• Recruitment of Muslim SS Units: He was involved in recruiting Muslims for the Waffen-SS and other units, furthering his collaboration with the Nazis.
• Plans for the Middle East “Final Solution:” Al-Husseini believed that Nazi Germany would defeat Britain and France in the Middle East and occupy all the territory of the former Ottoman Empire. Accordingly, he developed a plan to build death camps across all Arab lands to carry out the extermination of Jews on behalf of the Nazis. Fortunately, Nazi Germany was pushed back by the Allies and never occupied this territory.

Role in Palestinian Terrorism

• Post-War Influence: After World War II, al-Husseini continued to promote anti-Jewish sentiments and resist the establishment of Israel. He influenced Palestinian leaders and militant groups, contributing to the ongoing conflict.
• Legacy in Modern Conflict: Al-Husseini’s legacy of anti-Semitism and militant resistance against the Jewish presence in Palestine has continued to influence Palestinian nationalist movements and terrorist organizations. Al-Husseini’s doctrine of “no compromise” remains in place today.

Post-1948 War and Palestinian Arab Terrorism

1948 Arab-Israeli War

• Creation of Israel: On May 14, 1948, David Ben-Gurion declared the establishment of the State of Israel. This was immediately followed by an invasion by neighboring Arab states.
• Nakba (Catastrophe): The war led to the displacement of about 750,000 Palestinian Arabs, while at the same time, hundreds of thousands of Palestinian Arabs remained in Israel and became citizens. The term “Nakba” originally defined the catastrophe as the loss of the Arab armies to the Israeli Army. The term was later adapted for political purposes to focus on the displaced Palestinian Arabs.
• West Bank and Gaza: Jordan’s army captured the West Bank and East Jerusalem, subsequently annexing them in 1950. Egypt took control of the Gaza Strip and annexed that.
• Arab Nations Expel Jews – All Arab League Nations forced over 850,000 Jewish citizens to flee under the threat of violence and death. Many Jews were killed in the riots against Jews that took place. Almost all Jews expelled from these Arab nations migrated to the newly formed State of Israel.

Palestinian Fedayeen Raids (1950s)

• Cross-border Attacks: Palestinian fedayeen (guerrilla fighters) conducted cross-border raids from Jordan, Egypt, and Syria into Israel, attacking civilians and military targets. These attacks led to Israeli retaliatory raids and a cycle of violence.

Jordan’s Role in Palestinian Militancy

Integration and Tensions in Jordan

• 1950: Jordan granted citizenship to West Bank Palestinians, integrating them into the kingdom but also fueling Palestinian nationalist aspirations for statehood.
• 1960s-1970s: Palestinian militant groups, such as the PLO, used Jordan as a base for launching attacks against Israel, leading to increasing tensions between Palestinian militants and the Jordanian government.

Black September (1970)

• Expulsion of the PLO: King Hussein of Jordan expelled the PLO from Jordan after a series of violent clashes known as Black September. This resulted in many Palestinian militants relocating to Lebanon, where they continued their operations.

Lebanon’s Involvement in Palestinian Terrorism

Relocation to Lebanon

• 1970s-1980s: After being expelled from Jordan, the PLO established its base in Lebanon. This period saw an increase in cross-border attacks into Israel and significant involvement in Lebanese civil strife.

1982 Lebanon War

• Israeli Invasion: Israel invaded Lebanon to root out PLO bases in response to continuous attacks. The invasion led to the PLO’s relocation to Tunisia but also saw the rise of Hezbollah, a Shiite militant group that collaborated with Palestinian factions and now Iran.

Notable Incidents of Palestinian Terrorism

1950s – Early Fedayeen Raids

• 1950s Fedayeen Attacks: Palestinian fedayeen conducted numerous cross-border raids from Jordan, Egypt, and Syria into Israel, attacking civilians and military targets, leading to Israeli retaliatory raids.

1960s – Rise of Organized Groups

• El Al Flight 426 Hijacking (1968): Carried out by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), marking one of the first airline hijackings by Palestinian militants.
• Olympic Airways Flight 253 Attack (1968): PFLP militants attacked a plane at Athens Airport, killing one person.

1970s – Continued Escalation

• Sabena Flight 571 Hijacking (1972): Black September militants hijacked a Belgian Sabena airliner en route to Tel Aviv. The plane was stormed by Israeli commandos, with two passengers killed.
• Munich Olympics Massacre (1972): Black September attacked Israeli athletes, killing 11 at the Munich Olympics.
• Lod Airport Massacre (1972): Members of the Japanese Red Army, in coordination with the PFLP, attacked Tel Aviv’s Lod Airport, killing 26 people and injuring 80.
• Kiryat Shmona Massacre (1974): PFLP-GC attacked an apartment building in Kiryat Shmona, killing 18 residents, including 8 children.
• Ma’alot Massacre (1974): DFLP militants took over a school in Ma’alot, killing 25 hostages, mostly children.
• Zion Square Bombing (1975): A refrigerator bomb exploded in Jerusalem’s Zion Square, killing 15 people and injuring 77.
• Coastal Road Massacre (1978): Fatah operatives hijacked a bus on the Coastal Road in Israel, killing 38 civilians, including 13 children, and wounding 71 others.
• Entebbe Hijacking (1976): Palestinian and German terrorists hijacked an Air France plane and diverted it to Entebbe, Uganda, ending with a dramatic rescue mission by Israeli commandos.

1980s – International Reach

• Rome and Vienna Airport Attacks (1985): The Abu Nidal Organization attacked passengers in coordinated strikes at Rome and Vienna airports, killing 19 and injuring about 140.
• Achille Lauro Hijacking (1985): Members of the Palestinian Liberation Front hijacked the Italian cruise ship Achille Lauro, murdering American passenger Leon Klinghoffer.
• Neve Shalom Synagogue Attack (1986): Palestinian militants attacked the Neve Shalom Synagogue in Istanbul, killing 22 worshippers.
• Pan Am Flight 73 Hijacking (1986): Abu Nidal Organization members hijacked a Pan Am flight in Karachi, Pakistan, resulting in the deaths of 20 passengers and crew members during a Pakistani commando attempt to storm the plane.

1990s – Oslo Peace Process Violence

• Jerusalem Bus 405 Attack (1989): A member of Hamas attacked a bus traveling from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, resulting in the death of 16 passengers.
• Hebron Massacre (1994): Baruch Goldstein, an Israeli extremist, killed 29 Palestinian worshippers in the Cave of the Patriarchs. This incident led to a surge in retaliatory terrorist attacks by Palestinian militants.
• Café Hillel Bombing (1994): A Hamas suicide bomber attacked Café Hillel in Jerusalem, killing seven people and wounding dozens. This attack occurred during a period of intense violence aimed at derailing the Oslo Peace Process.
• Beit Lid Junction Bombings (1995): Two Palestinian Islamic Jihad suicide bombers attacked the Beit Lid Junction, a busy transportation hub in central Israel, killing 21 Israeli soldiers and one civilian, and wounding dozens more.
• Jaffa Road Bus Bombing (1996): A Hamas suicide bomber targeted a bus in Jerusalem, killing 26 people and injuring 80.

2000s – Second Intifada Intensifies

• Dolphinarium Discotheque Bombing (2001): A Hamas suicide bomber targeted a nightclub in Tel Aviv, killing 21 people, mostly teenagers.
• Sbarro Restaurant Bombing (2001): A suicide bombing at a Jerusalem pizzeria killed 15 people, including 7 children, and injured 130.
• Park Hotel Bombing (2002): A suicide bomber attacked a Passover Seder at the Park Hotel in Netanya, killing 30 people and injuring 140. This incident was a catalyst for Israel’s Operation Defensive Shield.
• Hebrew University Bombing (2002): A Hamas bomb planted in a cafeteria at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem exploded, killing 9 people, including 5 Americans, and injuring about 100 others.
• Haifa Bus 37 Suicide Bombing (2003): A Hamas suicide bomber attacked a crowded bus in Haifa, killing 17 people, many of them high school students, and wounding 53 others.
• Maxim Restaurant Suicide Bombing (2003): A female suicide bomber from Islamic Jihad detonated an explosive belt at the Maxim restaurant in Haifa, killing 21 people, including Jews and Arab Israelis, and injuring 60 others.

2010s – Ongoing Attacks

• Itamar Attack (2011): Members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command (PFLP-GC) murdered five members of the Fogel family, including three children, in their home in the West Bank settlement of Itamar.
• 2011 Southern Israel Cross-border Attacks: A series of coordinated attacks by militants from the Sinai Peninsula targeted vehicles on Highway 12 near the Israel-Egypt border, resulting in the deaths of eight Israelis.
• Jerusalem Synagogue Attack (2014): Two Palestinians armed with guns and axes attacked worshippers at a synagogue in Jerusalem, killing five and wounding seven others.
• Har Nof Synagogue Massacre (2014): Two Palestinian men armed with cleavers and a gun attacked worshippers during morning prayers at a synagogue in the Har Nof neighborhood of Jerusalem, killing five people, including four rabbis, and injuring several others.
• Brussels Jewish Museum Shooting (2014): A lone gunman with ties to radical Islamist groups opened fire at the Jewish Museum in Brussels, killing four people.

2020s – Recent Developments

• Ariel Junction Stabbing (2020): A Palestinian attacker stabbed and killed an Israeli soldier at the Ariel Junction in the West Bank.
• Dizengoff Street Shooting (2022): A Palestinian gunman opened fire on a busy street in Tel Aviv, killing three people and wounding several others.
• Bnei Brak Shooting (March 2022): A Palestinian terrorist killed five people in a shooting spree in Bnei Brak, a city near Tel Aviv.
• Elad Axe Attack (May 2022): Two Palestinians attacked civilians with axes in the town of Elad, killing three people and injuring several others.
• Hadera Shooting (March 2023): Two Israeli police officers were killed and several others wounded in a shooting by Palestinian militants in Hadera.
• Jerusalem Car Ramming (July 2023): A Palestinian driver rammed his car into a group of pedestrians near the Mahane Yehuda Market, killing two and injuring several others.
• Gaza Border Clashes (August 2023): Renewed violence at the Gaza-Israel border saw numerous attacks and retaliations, resulting in multiple casualties on both sides.
• Eilat Terror Attack (February 2024): A coordinated attack by Palestinian militants in Eilat resulted in the deaths of four Israeli tourists and injuries to dozens more.
• Hebron Stabbing (April 2024): A Palestinian attacker stabbed two Israeli settlers in Hebron, critically injuring one.
• Ben Gurion Airport Attack (May 2024): A bombing at Ben Gurion Airport killed three people and injured many others, attributed to a Palestinian militant group.

October 7, 2024 Hamas Attack (the largest number of Jews killed in one day since the Holocaust!)

• On October 7, 2024, a major coordinated assault was carried out by Hamas militants across several locations in Israel. This attack involved a combination of rocket barrages, infiltrations, and multiple bombings, marking the most significant and deadly attacks since the War of Independence.
• Hundreds of rockets were fired from Gaza into Israel, targeting major cities, including Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Ashdod. The Iron Dome missile defense system intercepted many rockets, but some managed to hit residential areas, causing widespread damage and casualties.
• Simultaneously, armed militants infiltrated Israeli territory through tunnels and breaches in the border fence. These militants attacked civilian targets, including homes, schools, and public spaces, leading to intense firefights with Israeli security forces.
• The coordinated assault resulted in significant casualties, with over 1200 Israelis killed and hundreds wounded—the high number of injuries overwhelmed medical facilities, prompting emergency responses and international offers of assistance.
• In response to the attacks, Israel launched a large-scale military operation in Gaza with the goal of destroying the terrorist group Hamas.