Origins of the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict Part I: to 1949

A brief historical overview.

Online Courses:

Biblical Jewish History: From Abraham to Bar Kochba

A Thousand Years of Ashkenaz!

The Holocaust

[JesusIord]

As a Palestinian I am very happy to hear this presentation. It brings us together as human. We pray hard for people to live in peace. There is no second chance Once a person dies. I hope we all understand this concept. May God bless you always

[ByRaymondFerguson]

As an African American man, I’ve been trying to to properly educate myself on this conflict as a means to understand and empathize with my Israeli and Arab brothers and sisters across our world. This is by far the most comprehensive lesson I’ve seen and did it all in between meetings. I love the internet and I truly enjoyed this lesson. Thank you professor!

[LawrenceSelden]

The Ottoman Empire didn't just disappear after world war 1. The british created arab armies and, very significant to this discussion and this period, arab nationalism, to destroy the ottoman empire, with the hope of then having unfettered access to the suez canal and oil. The conflict cannot be understood a sone only between "israelis and palestinians." The british/french and then amarican relationship to arabs, and the world's relationship to oil (and the suez) should be a part of this historical discussion throughout.

[gerardcosloy]

Yannow, it's obvious to see for anyone that you have a vested interest in your side of history, but it is a very and truly admirable thing for an outsider to see your especially conspicuous attempt at objectivity in such a very contentious topic. Exceptionally well done sir.

[GabbyTwoCool]

At a time when so many voices have been discussing this as black and white, I really appreciate your concern for all the peoples of the land. As always, not only your knowledge but your delivery is a comfort.

[Harry_Tick]

An honest historian is a rare and precious thing. In any times. But now especially. Thank you.

[maru]

Your content is not only informative, but also an excellent example of effective presentation. Thank you so very much.

[nxdxqmy]

Judging from the overwhelmingly positive response to this video, it's clear there's a hunger for reliable information presented in a non-ideological, non-agenda-driven fashion. Thanks for providing such a great resource.

[barneyreichman]

Thank you once again Henry for your potted history, very informative. I realise now how little I understood of the region both present day and historically and it's thanks to people like yourself that I'm beginning to have a better understanding of the what, why's and how's in this complicated part of the World.

[Soesii]

As a Palestinian, I must say this was excellently explained. Subscribed :)

[allisonhermann]

It's a lot of history to compress into a 30-minute video - masterfully done! Also, thank you for the reference - greatly appreciated.

[marcdigiambattista]

This was an extremely fair and unbiased history, and I feel it is only with this kind of honest reflection from all sides that some kind of peace can be found. You will upset some Jews and Arabs alike by telling the truth, but it is something they need to hear for the survival and future prosperity of their own children. You are doing a service to your people and all of humanity by presenting this information with honesty, integrity and respect. If all the rabbis, imams and priests of the world spoke like this, the world would be a much better place for everyone. This is why history matters, we need to know how we got where we are in order to figure out solutions to the situations we find ourselves in. I have also loved all of your videos on Jewish history, and hope you continue to put out this high quality output. Keep up the good work, and I hope the world will listen to you and learn.

[aaronedwards]

Very good presentation, balanced, not emotionally charged, and informative. Having studied the politics and conflicts in this region, I can verify that the information presented here is factual with no editorial bias or commentary.

[moraemepasikhani]

Thank you for covering this so honestly.

[marinaberry]

“In all thy getting get understanding.” Thank you for broadening my vision and deepening my understanding. You are a phenomenal and engaging teacher. Thank you, thank you, thank you…Shalom🙏🏾

[abelaparicio]

As a Mexican American man, and above All a believer in Jesus Christ and His word, I love and support Israel, that doesn't mean i don't care about the innocent victims of this conflict (iniciated by the terrorists group ham as), Yes, the so called palestinians are in my prayers, I pray that they will be free of hate and misleading of their authorities, truth is, there was Never a country called Palestine, and the mayoriry of the people are of a different origin, (arabs, turkish, Egyptian), in other words, that is Not and has Never been their Land. That land belongs historically and Biblically to the people of Israel....even the Coran, (Muslim's holy book), recomends in some parts to consult and ask.. The people (Israel), of The Book, (The old testament, in wich The Lord God and most Holy Creator gives that Land to Father Abraham and his descendants Isaac Jacob and Jacob and the twelve tribes of Israel for ever, Genesis chapters 12 through 17. That land belongs to Israel by promiss of God!

[harrypowell]

Thank you, Mr. Abramson, for your informative and calm presentation. I am an Australian agnostic, but I grew up with Jews in the eastern suburbs of Sydney. I have many Jewish friends, and I will never understand antisemitism. My father and grandfather joined the war against the nazis. What they did was abhorrent! I have German friends that agree with me. Israel is the homeland of the Jews and I wish them well.

[martinc]

An excellent presentation of the basic history. It is a pity that such balance is mostly absent in modern discourse. You are a most decent human. ❤

[carefir]

I cannot praise this video enough for its comprehensiveness. Everyone protestor on every campus, every street, every city, needs to watch this.

[intoreality]

Thank you Henry for shedding some light on origins of the Arab-Israeli conflict. Several other important events that are rarely brought up when discussing this issue:

1. One of the last acts of the Ottoman Empire before it collapsed, was to ratify the German-Ottoman alliance in 1914. So when Germany surrendered unconditionally when WWI ended, so did the Ottoman Empire. This left it up to British and the French to partition the remains of the defunct Ottoman Empire.
2. When the Balfour Declaration was given in 1917, the British Mandate for the Jewish homeland encompassed Palestine and Trans-Jordan. So it follows, the wording re: "non-Jewish communities in Palestine" refers to Jewish Palestine and Trans-Jordan. In 1921, this was modified by Winston Churchill to Palestine being designated as a Jewish homeland and Trans-Jordan designated as an Arab homeland.
3. 1946 - Establishment of Arab state of Trans-Jordan.
4. 1948 - Eastern Palestine, Trans-Jordan, occupies the West Bank area of Western Palestine, becomes “Jordan”, ending up with over 80% of the original Palestine Mandate.
5. 1950 - Jordan annexes the West Bank.
6. 1988 - Jordan renounces their claim to the West Bank.