Arab Nationalism In Palestine

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Through the narratives of Zionism and Arab nationalism in Palestine, it is implicit that there are many differences and fewer commonalities between the two. First and foremost, in comprehending the term ‘Arab nationalism in Palestine’, determining the point at which Palestinian national consciousness developed is crucial. Charles Smith argues that a general awareness of Palestine as an area distinct from Greater Syria had already existed, as reflected in the Ottoman government’s use of the term “land of Palestine” . This essay shall argue that the number of differences between the nationalisms outweigh the commonalities pre-1948. Such commonalities include their parallel expressions of cultural nationalism rather than religious nationalism, …show more content…

Although traditional Jews viewed their return to the land of Zion, Israel, as a decision to be determined by God, Oz Almog in his book The Sabra evaluates the ‘“link between religion and nation in Judaism” which he claims “strengthened the para-religious dimensions of Zionism”. As a result of their treatment in the past, they were more able to detach themselves from traditions which conflicted with modern civilization and were able to redesign what it meant to be Jewish. Charles Liebman further argues that the Zionist revolution created a sort of civil religion in Palestine, which later fuelled it to become “activist and predominantly secular.” Likewise, Arab nationalism in Palestine cannot be categorised as a nationalism based solely on religious beliefs, largely because it was not observed by one religion alone and was composed of both Muslims and Christians proponents. In fact, in the latter half of the nineteenth century, sixteen percent of the Arab population in Palestine was Christian. Charles Smith explicates that the Christians were aware of themselves living in a specific region called Palestine, and it is “among them that there emerges the dominant journalistic opposition to Zionism.” Thus, one can assume that both nationalisms were not in dispute for …show more content…

Unequivocally, Zionism received de facto support from foreign powers which Palestinian nationalism did not. Two key examples of this are the Balfour Declaration and creation of the British Mandate. Zionists were able to gain sympathy, and in turn, support from prominent figures who influenced the making of decisions such as the Balfour Declaration . The Declaration failed to regard the indigenous Arabs of Palestine, who comprised ninety percent of Palestine’s population, specifying them as “non-Jewish community,” and whilst it acknowledged their “civil and religious rights”, it was silent in respect to their political rights . In contrast, it overtly referred to a “national home for the Jews” and their “political status.” Likewise, the American administration already displayed support for the Balfour Declaration, later endorsing an essentially similar document in 1922. Thus, it is explicit from the Balfour Declaration that Zionism possessed immense international support. In contrast, the aspirations of Palestinian Arabs had not been incorporated in a decision that would have a similar impact. When Palestinians politicians like Izzat Darwaza attempted to create a union within Greater Syria, it was dismissed as Syria and Lebanon fell under French dominance, thus isolating Palestinian nationalism from similar independent movements in close vicinity.

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