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Promises and Betrayals
Britain and the Struggle for the Holy Land
| Length: | 53 min |
| Released: | 2004 |
| Ages: |
College Adult |
This eloquent film recounts the complicated history that led to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine, a story of intrigue among rival empires and of misguided strategies. Despite widespread beliefs that the crisis originated with Jewish emigration to Palestine and the foundation of Israel, the roots of the conflict began decades earlier.
In 1915, when the Allies were besieged on the Western front, the British wanted to create a second front against Germany, Italy, and the Ottoman Empire. The British exploited Turkish nationalism by promised Arab groups their own independent states, including Palestine, while secretly planning to carve up the Ottoman Empire among Alliance countries.
The next British government under Lloyd George believed that “worldwide Jewry” was a powerful force, and that the Jews in the new Bolshevik government could prevent the Russian army from deserting the Allies. This mistaken strategy, along with other factors, led to the 1917 Balfour Declaration, which endorsed a national home for the Jews in Palestine around the same time that Arab leader Shariff Hussein was promised that Palestine would be part of a new Arab state. This contradiction has contributed to the ongoing struggle for control of this holy land.
Includes interviews with academics including Professor Lieven of the London School of Economics, Professor Choueiri of the University of Exeter, and others.
In 1915, when the Allies were besieged on the Western front, the British wanted to create a second front against Germany, Italy, and the Ottoman Empire. The British exploited Turkish nationalism by promised Arab groups their own independent states, including Palestine, while secretly planning to carve up the Ottoman Empire among Alliance countries.
The next British government under Lloyd George believed that “worldwide Jewry” was a powerful force, and that the Jews in the new Bolshevik government could prevent the Russian army from deserting the Allies. This mistaken strategy, along with other factors, led to the 1917 Balfour Declaration, which endorsed a national home for the Jews in Palestine around the same time that Arab leader Shariff Hussein was promised that Palestine would be part of a new Arab state. This contradiction has contributed to the ongoing struggle for control of this holy land.
Includes interviews with academics including Professor Lieven of the London School of Economics, Professor Choueiri of the University of Exeter, and others.
"A compelling presentation of the background to the establishment of Israel, the plight of the Palestinians and the present situation in that part of the Middle East. . .It is well put together, using vintage footage to great effect."
‒MESA Bulletin, Vol 39, No. 1
"This film is highly recommended, as it shows the real reasons why the current crisis in the Middle East exists. The film is extensively researched and narrated, with interesting footage from the period. The reasons for the extensive conflicts in Damascus and Syria are also discussed. Most enlightening and revealing, will be useful for high school and college history and area studies classes related to this topic."
‒Brad Eden, PhD, University Libraries University of Nevada Las Vegas for Educational Media Reviews Online
‒MESA Bulletin, Vol 39, No. 1
"This film is highly recommended, as it shows the real reasons why the current crisis in the Middle East exists. The film is extensively researched and narrated, with interesting footage from the period. The reasons for the extensive conflicts in Damascus and Syria are also discussed. Most enlightening and revealing, will be useful for high school and college history and area studies classes related to this topic."
‒Brad Eden, PhD, University Libraries University of Nevada Las Vegas for Educational Media Reviews Online
