Intelligence and the Origins of the British Middle East

What is it about?

This explains how intelligence officers prepared the ground for British rule in Palestine. Intelligence officers who had helped win the war now were responsible for implementing Britain's conflicting pledges to Arabs and Jews, which, it became clear during 1919-20, were contradictory. Intelligence helped to limit violent conflict in 1919, but for complicated reasons, failed to do so during 1920. In the end, intelligence concluded that British support for Zionism would have to be implemented with force, against the wishes of the Arab population.

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Why is it important?

It helps to explain the origins of the zero-sum conflict between Arab nationalism and Zionism in general, and between Zionists and Palestinians in particular. It also helps us understand the chaotic environment in which the British Mandate over Palestine was established, and how cooperation between British and Zionist intelligence officers was fundamental to the power structure which emerged during that period. This relationship proved resilient through early Anglo-Zionist tensions, and was fundamental to British power and Zionist capabilities. It also brings to light key issues of colonial government, especially the role of intelligence therein, but also the postwar transition from military to civil government. Palestinians never achieved the same degree of representation in government or a clear path to self rule, in stark contrast to other Mandated territories. Their objections to British support for Zionism, and the privileges which the Zionist enjoyed from that support, obstructed those prospects in unique ways.

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