Palestine 1936 

     From a book review: Histories of the Holy Land can be divided among four eras: Hebrews of the Old Testament, Romans of the New Testament, Europeans and Muslims of the Crusades, and Arabs and Israelis of modern day. 

     Oren Kessler wrote Palestine 1936, which tells of a pivotal three-year period of civil unrest that shaped the battlefield for Israel's war of independence in 1948. Though Jews have lived in and near Jerusalem for millennia, the Zionist effort to return a critical mass to their ancient lands began at the turn of the 20th century. 

     In the Balfour Declaration of 1917, the British promised support for "the establishment of a national home for the Jewish people." After a rocky first few years, by 1936 the British found themselves trying to suppress a civil war between Palestinian Arabs and immigrant Jews.  

     The newcomers built Tel Aviv and collective farms (kibbutzim.) But Arabs perceived a Jewish invasion. The most innocent acts led to mob violence and brutal acts of revenge. In Kessler's book, few if any are heroes. All parties, including the British, bear some blame for the many deaths. 

     He describes the early years of this pivotal period, and its meaning for the present. Hopefully, clarity of history can help heal and make progress toward peace. 

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     By the way, shortly after war in Europe and the Holocaust was over, the U.S. (under Democrats) refused to allow a boat load of Jewish refugees to come ashore. Today, Democrats encourage most anyone to cross our so-called southern border. 

         Jimmy