Jewish Studies Paper

Jewish Studies Paper

Peel Partition Plan

Hope Simpson Commission was formed in 1929 to settle the issues between the Arabs and Jews of Palestine but it never satisfied the demands of both the parties. In 1936, it was realized that the Jewish settlements were increasing because of a rise in the Jewish population. With this rise, the clashes between Jews and Arabs were taking place frequently. The Peel Commission would decide to propose a partition plan in 1937 in order to curtail the impact of the Jewish settlements on the Arab population. The Arabs were showing their reservations about the increase in the Jewish settlements, which forced the international parties to interfere. The frustration of Arabs was increasing because the Zionists had taken control of a vast area of Palestinian land. The Arabs were of the belief that the British policies were rewarding Jews a control over the Palestinian lands. In 1937, a treaty system was introduced, which ended the mandate of Palestine. This treaty system required Arabs and Jews to agree on the partition of the Palestinian land. The partition plan, envisioned by the commission, would propose that Jerusalem and Bethlehem will come under the control of the British. The Palestinian part would be joined with Transjordan and the Jews would pay subsidy for their lands to the Arabs.

Arab response to the plan

The Arabs were prompt in their reply as they believed that accepting the plan would ensure the establishment of a Jewish state. They rejected the plan abruptly because they did not want to give room to any proposition that was made by considering the establishment of a Jewish state. They rejected the plan because they believed that if they accepted the establishment of the Jewish state, they will compromise some of their settlements that will be dominated by the Jews if the plan is accepted. The establishment of Jewish state would pose threat to their population because Jews lived a lavish life, which attracted the Arab population like anything. The most important thing to be noted here is that they never wanted British to divide their lands without even taking into consideration all the historic factors and their emotional belongings.

Zionist response to the Plan

The Zionist Leaders accepted the principles of the plan because they were getting a Jewish state but they rejected the plan as whole. The principles laid by the plan were acceptable for the Zionists because it would have given them a chance to increase the number of settlements in the Area but they had to reject it because they thought that the Arabs were awarded more lands than they were awarded. According to the plan, the Jewish state would be established on 5,000 square kilometers. This size of the area was not welcomed by the Jews because they believed that they will be confined to a small area. Some of them sought positivity in the plan as they tried to negotiate with the British. On the other hand, the Palestinians rejected the plan ...