July 27, 2026 Editor, The News-Gazette: Jewish immigration to Palestine began slowly, prior to the late 19th century, and around the 1880s the Zionist Movement’s efforts to create a Jewish homeland in Palestine became more organized, in no small part because of the never-ending antisemitic killing sprees in Europe.
With the Balfour Declaration (1917), Zionists needed to figure out how to achieve a Jewish homeland while working with the British (the Mandate Palestine 1917 to 1948). From its start in 1918, the Zionist Commission had as its goal “an independent Jewish Palestine,” although the public stance was a willingness to work with the Arab population. (At no point did all Jews support the Zionist Commission.)
Colonial and political Zionism needed more Jews in Palestine to win elections. This meant jobs, land, and security for Jewish immigrants - and that meant a lack thereof for Arabs. Palestinians understood the ruling Zionists were pushing them aside and off the land. As Israeli historian Tom Segev states, “Realizing the Zionist dream would lead to pushing the Arabs out of the country …” There was widespread Arab nationalist sentiment at this time, and Arab nationalist organizations, but no effective Arab nationalist movement was organized.
While some British administrators and Zionists favored a democratic approach – with a Jewish and Zionist majority – the powers that prevailed were unabashedly racist and efforts to gain a majority were calculated and cold, even nefarious. When the state of Israel was created, the policies and goals prior to statehood continued. Way before the British left Palestine in 1948, it was clear to everyone that violence and not democratic politics would decide who had land and who made the laws. The Zionists and then the Israeli government were – and are - fine with that.
I understand this letter prompts many questions. I hope others will help answer them. SARAHWILSON
