Arthur Balfour's letter in 1917 set the stage for the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine, leading to ongoing conflict.

• Arthur Balfour's letter announced British support for a Jewish homeland in Palestine, home to a 90% Arab population at the time.
• The letter's promise led to the displacement of the Arab population and the eventual establishment of the State of Israel.
• The Balfour Declaration was influenced by British imperialism, Zionist aspirations, and European anti-Semitism.

During WWI, Britain made conflicting promises to Arab leaders and the Zionist movement, complicating the future of Palestine.

• Britain's WWI promises included a Jewish homeland in Palestine and Arab independence for opposing the Ottoman Empire.
• The British takeover of Palestine saw a mix of Arab Muslims, Christians, and Jews, with a growing Zionist movement seeking refuge.
• Zionism, initially a fringe movement, gained momentum with Herzl's advocacy for a Jewish state.

The Zionist movement gained significant British support, culminating in the incorporation of the Balfour Declaration into the British Mandate.

• High-ranking British officials, including Prime Minister Lloyd George, supported Zionism for religious and geostrategic reasons.
• Zionists established a strong presence in Palestine with organized communities, land purchases, and advocacy.
• The British Mandate favored the Zionist project, leading to Jewish immigration and the establishment of the Haganah militia.

Palestinians resisted the British Mandate and Zionist expansion, leading to violent British suppression and further conflict.

• Palestinians viewed the British Mandate as delivering their country to others, leading to the 1936 strike and subsequent uprisings.
• British forces responded to the resistance with violent crackdowns, including arrests, torture, and executions.
• The Peel Commission's partition proposal and the further displacement of Palestinians exacerbated tensions.

Britain sought to resolve the Palestine conflict with the White Paper and ultimately referred the issue to the United Nations.

• The 1939 White Paper limited Jewish immigration and land purchases, aiming for an independent Palestine shared by all residents.
• Britain's mandate over Palestine excluded Palestinians from the decision-making process, further aggravating tensions.
• The aftermath of WWII and Zionist confrontations with Britain led to British withdrawal and UN involvement.

The UN's 1947 partition plan was rejected by Palestinians and led to Zionist military actions to establish Israeli dominance.

• The UN voted to partition Palestine, allocating 55% for a Jewish state without addressing the substantial Palestinian population.
• Zionist forces were instructed to seize more territory and reduce Palestinian presence, often through violent means.
• The Nakba ensued, with massacres and mass displacements of Palestinians.

The State of Israel was declared, leading to further conflict with neighboring Arab states and the consolidation of Israeli control.

• Before British withdrawal, Ben-Gurion declared the founding of Israel, and Zionist militias became the Israel Defense Forces.
• Arab soldiers entered Palestine to oppose the Israeli forces, but Israel had better organization and European backing.
• Israeli expansion into the proposed Palestinian state led to the displacement of tens of thousands more Palestinians.

The Nakba resulted in the mass displacement of Palestinians, the erasure of Palestine, and a struggle for rights and recognition that continues today.

• The Nakba left three-quarters of Palestinians as refugees, and Israel claimed 78% of former Palestinian territory.
• Subsequent attempts to resolve the conflict have reduced the territory offered to Palestinians, while Israel faces demographic challenges.
• Israeli policies toward Palestinians under occupation have been labeled as apartheid by human rights groups.