VOLUME LVI-Number 1

Matthew Price

Abstract: While Nazi Germany’s failed attempt to conquer British-controlled regions of the Middle East such as Egypt during the Second World War has been widely studied, less is known of its meddling in Palestinian affairs before and during the war. From 1917 to 1948, Britain had a mandate on Palestine with a promise of creating a Jewish National Home, ostracizing many of the region’s Arab inhabitants. When the Nazis rose to power in Germany in 1933, they saw benefits to both cooperating with Zionist Jews to encourage them leave antisemitic Germany as well as from Arab alliances in Palestine to create chaos in a British controlled region. In doing this, they tested British control of the region by supporting the Arab Revolt with its prominent nationalist leaders like Amin Al-Husayni. By the fall of the Reich, whether the Nazis wanted it or not, they had sped up Zionist dreams of a Jewish National Home in Palestine while worsening the Arab allies’ position in the region.

Keywords: Palestine, Nazi Germany, Britain, Zionism, World War Two, Arab Revolt, Immigration

About the Author: Matthew Price is a student at Towson University working towards a bachelor’s degree in history, expected in December 2022. He is particularly interested in military history focusing on World War Two and the U.S. Civil War. In addition to the U.S., he has studied and worked in Europe and Australia, and is planning further overseas travel following graduation.

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