American policy toward Palestine between 1850 and 1939

Abstract EN

This paper uses the historical methodology to investigate the American policy toward Palestine from the mid-nineteenth century to 1939 in terms of its nature, conduct, scope, phases and impact.

It defines the correlation between American policy-making and the political changes regarding the Palestinian people, Zionism and the fluctuation of American interests in the Middle East.

It also analyzes the special role of various American institutions and personalities in shaping the policy direction and aspects under different domestic and external conditions.

The research shows that the American policy witnessed a gradual development from humanitarian aid for the Jews in the second half of the nineteenth century to political support in the first half of the twentieth century.

It is clear that there were disagreements among American politicians on policy formulation regarding Palestine.

The executive branch was divided: presidents were subtly pro- Zionist, the Congress was publicly pro-Zionist, while the State and Defense Departments, due to vast American interests in the region, were more understanding of the Arab and Palestinian interests.

Certain American Jewish and Zionist figures were influential in harnessing American power to realize the Zionist goal of establishing a homeland for the Jews in Palestine.

There was a tripartite imperialist alliance between the US, Zionism and the British mandate in forcing their will through mutual agreements and abuse of international law with regard to Palestine.