American involvement in the formation of Israel

Each year, the U.S. Army War College in Carlysle Barracks, Pennsylvania, invites foreign military personnel to partake in war games scenarios and seek solutions to problems and potential problems around the globe. Saudi Arabia's Lieutenant Colonel Mohammed F. Abo-Sak participated in the USAWC Class of 1997 where he developed a strategy research project he entitled "US Involvement in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: Solution or Complication?" In his paper, Lt. Col. Abo-Sak analyzed the historical and current U.S. relations in the Middle East, with a special focus on America's involvement in the Palestinian-Israeli crisis as the root of all Middle East problems. He analyzed the U.S. position in relation to both sides of the conflict and discussed the potential results of current U.S. policies (Arian, 15). He concluded with recommendations for changes in U.S. foreign policy which would help make the Middle East more secure and friendly.

The two strategic elements that came together in the 1930's, said Lt. Abo-Sak, were the discovery of oil in Saudi Arabia and the creation of an activist Jewish community in Palestine. The U.S. became increasingly dependent upon Middle East oil, and it enjoyed strategic friendships with the Arab oil-producing countries, especially during the Cold War when the Arabs sided with the U.S. against the Soviet Union and communism. However, Israel also became stronger, and the Arabs increasingly attributed this to heavy U.S. involvement in supporting the Jewish state (Arian, 15).

Historical Background

Palestinians have continuously resided in Palestine since four thousand years before Christ, Abo-Sak pointed out. Their ancestors built the cities of Jerusalem, Nablus, Jericho, Beisan, Acca and Jaffa. The Hebrews arrived in the land between 1400-1200 B.C., and only maintained control over it during the lifetimes of King David and his son King Solomon - a period of about 80 years. The land then came under Greek and Roman rule, and was then conquered by Islam in the year 637 A.D. under the second Caliph, Omar (Bickerton, 33). By that time, the Jews had already left Jerusalem, and Christianity was the dominant religion. The Caliph granted full security to all Christians, including personal safety, and protection of property, religion and churches. The Muslims declared Jerusalem the capital of Palestine, and the city remained under Islamic rule until the end of the Ottoman Empire in 1918, except for a brief time of Christian rule under the Crusaders.

In this century, the eastern Mediterranean became subject to British and French occupation as a result of the First World War, and Palestine came under British military occupation. The British encouraged the Arabs to gain their independence from the Ottoman Empire and promised them support if they stood on the side of the allies during the First World War. However the British reneged on the promise, and British Foreign Minister Arthur James Balfour promised the International Zionists a homeland for the Jews in Palestine. At the time, the population of Palestine was comprised of 95% Arabs (both Christians and Muslims), 4% Palestinian Jews, and 1% ...