تطور حدود فلسطين الشمالية مع سوريا و لبنان 1916-1923

Abstract EN

This research focuses on tracking the evolution of the northern borders of Palestine with Syria and Lebanon, starting from the Sykes Picot agreement of 1916 to the British-French agreement, known as Newcombe-Baulet, in 192٣.

The truth is that the basic motivations behind these divisions were geographical, political and economic with clear disregard to the interests of the regions' inhabitants.

The main objective of the British was to force the French as much as possible away from the Suez Canal, so they would not have to share control over the canal.

They also looked forward to obtaining an excellent port on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, where they could gain access through railway lines, roads, and pipelines to the heart of Iraq and its oil treasures in the northeast.

Britain also sought to provide basic needs such as water, land and the strategic sites to those involved with the Zionist project in Palestine.

The French sought dominance over Al-Jaleel Al-A'ala (the high Galilee) as they considered it an extension of Lebanon in terms of both its environment and inhabitants.

At a time when the French were keen to stabilize the northern border of Palestine in accordance with Sykes Picot agreement, Britain and the Zionists were pushing towards the north to dominate the main sources of water in Palestine.

The tendency of the balance of power in favor of Britain and the Zionists in the aftermath of the First World War forced the French to make concessions; The Paris agreement in 1920 and the Newcombe-Baulet agreement reinforced and motivated such concessions after that.

However, these agreements did not end the controversy over the northern borders of Palestine with Syria and Lebanon, but debate on these areas continued.