The question underlying this paper is the comparison between the interpretations of Churchill's role in relation to British policy making in Palestine with special reference to the periods 1921-22 and 1944-48 offered by M.J. Cohen and Sir Martin Gilbert.
This will be dealt with in the main part of this thesis by comparing the opinions offered by the two authors in their books 'Churchill and the Jews: a lifelong friendship' by Sir Martin Gilbert and 'Churchill and the Jews' by Michael J. Cohen. Also, the perspective from which both authors draw their conclusions and whether or not they share a common ground will be looked upon.
As a result, the thesis aims at classifying the authors' view on Churchill's attitude towards Zionism in relation to the Palestine mandate and British policy in the respective periods, as well as capturing Churchill´s reality in connection to Zionism. Historians have continuingly challenged his actions as being opportunistic and self-serving, while others claim they were rather evangelical and the result of deep compassion with the Jewish race and their sufferings.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Great Britain and Palestine
- Churchill's Political Life in 1921-22 and 1944-48
- Churchill and British Policy towards Zionism – 1921-22
- Churchill and British Policy Towards Zionism – 1944-48
- Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to analyze Winston Churchill's role in British policymaking in Palestine, specifically during the periods 1921-22 and 1944-48, by comparing the interpretations offered by M. J. Cohen and Sir Martin Gilbert. The paper will examine the authors' perspectives and whether they share common ground in their assessments of Churchill's attitude towards Zionism and the Palestine mandate. It will also explore Churchill's motivations and how they relate to the complexities of the situation in Palestine.
- Churchill's relationship with Zionism and the Palestine mandate
- Contrasting interpretations of Churchill's actions by M. J. Cohen and Sir Martin Gilbert
- The influence of political events on Churchill's policies
- The impact of Churchill's decisions on the Jewish population and the Arab community in Palestine
- The role of the British government in the Palestinian conflict
Chapter Summaries
The first chapter provides an overview of the political and social developments in Palestine before and during the British Mandate, highlighting the context in which Churchill's actions took place. It explains key terms and outlines the reasons for British involvement in the region. The chapter also briefly outlines Churchill's political timeline during the two periods in question.
The main part of the paper focuses on the periods 1921-22 and 1944-48, examining Churchill's attitude towards British policy and Zionism through the lenses of Sir Martin Gilbert and Michael J. Cohen. It analyzes their perspectives and evaluates their views on Churchill's role in shaping events in Palestine.
Keywords
The paper explores key themes such as Churchill's relationship with Zionism, British policy in Palestine, the Palestine mandate, the Jewish community in Palestine, the Arab community in Palestine, the political and social context of the British Mandate, and the perspectives of historians M. J. Cohen and Sir Martin Gilbert.
- Quote paper
- Marlene Weber (Author), 2016, Churchill and Zionism. The British Mandate in Palestine, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/320014
