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Balfour Declaration (1917): The British Foreign Secretary, Arthur Balfour, issued a declaration expressing support for "the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people." This was interpreted by Jews as a promise to support the creation of a Jewish state in Palestine, and by Palestinians as a betrayal of their rights to self-determination.
British Mandate: After World War I, the League of Nations awarded Britain the mandate to govern Palestine. The British attempted to balance their commitment to both the Jewish and Arab populations but faced challenges due to conflicting national aspirations. This period saw significant Jewish immigration and land purchases in Palestine, leading to increased tensions between Jewish and Arab communities.
Policies and Uprisings: The British introduced policies that sometimes favored one community over the other, leading to feelings of betrayal by both sides. There were significant Arab uprisings, notably in 1929 and 1936-1939, and Jewish resistance movements against British rule, especially during and after World War II.
Partition and Departure: The British, unable to find a solution to the growing tensions and violence, referred the issue to the United Nations in 1947. The UN proposed the partition of Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states, with Jerusalem as an international city. While Jewish leaders accepted the partition, the Arab leaders rejected it. The British withdrew in 1948, leading to the declaration of the State of Israel and the ensuing 1948 Arab-Israeli War.