The Hundred Years' War on Palestine: A History of Settler-Colonial Conquest and Resistance, 1917-2017

In this chapter, Khalidi focuses on the period between 1917 and 1939. He argues that the Balfour Declaration, the Mandate of Palestine, and the British leaders’ bias in favor of Zionist settlers represent the first declaration of war on Palestinians.

Khalidi begins by describing the first decade of the 20th century in Palestine. He notes that, “socially, Palestine was still heavily rural with a predominantly patriarchal, hierarchical nature, as it largely remained until 1948” (18). While a small group of elite families controlled Palestinian society, changes were occurring. There was greater access to education, more mobility within and outside Palestine, and a burgeoning press which led to greater availability of printed materials (books, newspapers, and periodicals). These changes created opportunities for the indigenous population. With the weakening of the Ottoman empire, the indigenous population started to shift their identity from family, religious affiliation, and city origin to a collective identity.

Major battles took place in Palestine during World War I (1914-1918). The British and Allied Forces captured much of the territory. During the war, British statesman Arthur James Balfour (who was secretary of state for foreign affairs at the time) publicly pledged to create “a national home for Jewish people” in Palestine (24).