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Legacy of Empire: Britain, Zionism and the Creation of Israel
It is now more than seventy years since the creation of the state of Israel, yet its origins and the British Empire’s historic responsibility for Palestine remain little known. Confusion persists, too, as to the distinction between anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism.
In Legacy of Empire, Gardner Thompson explores why the British government adopted political Zionism in the early twentieth century, issuing the Balfour Declaration in 1917 and then retaining it as the cornerstone of their rule in Palestine after the First World War. Despite evidence and warnings, over the next two decades Britain would facilitate the colonisation of Arab Palestine by Jewish immigrants, ultimately leading to a conflict which it could not contain.
A highly readable and compelling account of Britain’s rule in Palestine, Legacy of Empire is essential reading for those wishing to better understand the roots of this enduring conflict.
In Legacy of Empire, Gardner Thompson explores why the British government adopted political Zionism in the early twentieth century, issuing the Balfour Declaration in 1917 and then retaining it as the cornerstone of their rule in Palestine after the First World War. Despite evidence and warnings, over the next two decades Britain would facilitate the colonisation of Arab Palestine by Jewish immigrants, ultimately leading to a conflict which it could not contain.
A highly readable and compelling account of Britain’s rule in Palestine, Legacy of Empire is essential reading for those wishing to better understand the roots of this enduring conflict.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2019
43 people are currently reading
498 people want to read
About the author
Gardner Thompson
6 books4 followersGardner Thompson is a historian of British colonialism and a fellow of the Royal Historical Society. He earned a BA in History from Cambridge University, an MA in East African History and Politics from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, and a PhD on the British Colonial Rule in Uganda from London University. Thompson taught History in Uganda, and then in London where he was Head of the History Department and the Academic Vice-Principal at Dulwich College. His other publications include Governing Uganda: British Colonial Rule and its Legacy and African Democracy: Its Origins and Development in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 13, 2024
I have finished this book for a few days now, but I could not reach a decision about what kind of review I should write. For the rating I was sure: It is an amazing book, giving a lot of information and analysing a matter that I have been hearing all of my life and it is still not solved, the Palestinian Problem.
The purpose of the book is to show the critical role played by Britain in sponsoring Zionism, which ended to current Israel and Palestine.
Gardner Thompson is a British historian of the Britisch Colonialism. In his book he attempts to be objective and presenting the facts without major sentimetalism. He presents the history of Zionism, from its early times around the beginning of the twentieth century, how it evolved in including the idea of creating a Jewish state in Palestine, the support they got from Britain and the evolution of the Britisch Mandate in the area of Palestine. The subject is difficult. A lot of information, a lot of citations from the major players in the tragedy and a subject that we as readers cannot be impartial. We are taught in our history books the atrocities of the Nazis. We are taught in our religion books the story of the People of Israel. Our education is somehow oriented in favoring the Jews, at least in comparison with the Arabs.
The book puts a few things in perspective:
1. It is not the Palestinian Problem. It is the Zionistic Problem. The Palestinians were the locals and the Zionists the invadors.
2. It was not originally a Jewish matter, but a Zionist matter. The Jews were living in peace with the Arabs in this area and the majority of Jewish diaspora was not supporting the Zionists. Once the crisis locally escalated, the Jews were not distinguished anymore into Zionists and non-Zionists, so it became a Jewish matter
3. Britain facilitated the Zionists to create a state where the Palestianians were living. One nation helps another nation to create a state where a third nation is living. How would your nation react, if another nation is trying to create a state in your area?
4. Britain (and the rest of the geopolitic powers later) were benefiting from facilitating the Zionist State in Palestine, as they themselves did not want Jews to arrive in their own countries. The author uses the term the Nimby Syndrom, which means the Not-in-my-back-yard Sydrom. Very convinient if it is in the back yard of the Palestinians.
5. There is a condition of Apartheid in the area against the Palestinians, that has started from the time of Jews settling there. Palestinians are excluded from everything.
The book is very strong and very interesting. The interest escalates towards the end, where the whole subject is discussed through questions: Was it colonialism? What was the British legacy? The reader is enganged in a discussion with arguments about the nature of the British involvement.
As said before, it is a book about the involvement of Britain, its legacy and the creation of Israel, not a book about the history of Jews or Palestinians, or even British. If you want to understand the current situation in Palestine, include this book in your list to read.
The purpose of the book is to show the critical role played by Britain in sponsoring Zionism, which ended to current Israel and Palestine.
Gardner Thompson is a British historian of the Britisch Colonialism. In his book he attempts to be objective and presenting the facts without major sentimetalism. He presents the history of Zionism, from its early times around the beginning of the twentieth century, how it evolved in including the idea of creating a Jewish state in Palestine, the support they got from Britain and the evolution of the Britisch Mandate in the area of Palestine. The subject is difficult. A lot of information, a lot of citations from the major players in the tragedy and a subject that we as readers cannot be impartial. We are taught in our history books the atrocities of the Nazis. We are taught in our religion books the story of the People of Israel. Our education is somehow oriented in favoring the Jews, at least in comparison with the Arabs.
The book puts a few things in perspective:
1. It is not the Palestinian Problem. It is the Zionistic Problem. The Palestinians were the locals and the Zionists the invadors.
2. It was not originally a Jewish matter, but a Zionist matter. The Jews were living in peace with the Arabs in this area and the majority of Jewish diaspora was not supporting the Zionists. Once the crisis locally escalated, the Jews were not distinguished anymore into Zionists and non-Zionists, so it became a Jewish matter
3. Britain facilitated the Zionists to create a state where the Palestianians were living. One nation helps another nation to create a state where a third nation is living. How would your nation react, if another nation is trying to create a state in your area?
4. Britain (and the rest of the geopolitic powers later) were benefiting from facilitating the Zionist State in Palestine, as they themselves did not want Jews to arrive in their own countries. The author uses the term the Nimby Syndrom, which means the Not-in-my-back-yard Sydrom. Very convinient if it is in the back yard of the Palestinians.
5. There is a condition of Apartheid in the area against the Palestinians, that has started from the time of Jews settling there. Palestinians are excluded from everything.
The book is very strong and very interesting. The interest escalates towards the end, where the whole subject is discussed through questions: Was it colonialism? What was the British legacy? The reader is enganged in a discussion with arguments about the nature of the British involvement.
As said before, it is a book about the involvement of Britain, its legacy and the creation of Israel, not a book about the history of Jews or Palestinians, or even British. If you want to understand the current situation in Palestine, include this book in your list to read.
July 30, 2022
Three and a bit stars - the subject is covered very well, but the text could use a good editor (to box the author's ears at every other mention of nimbyism, for instance). Still, a worthwhile addition to the library.
May 12, 2022
One of the best literature review for me on controversial topic being on neutral ground, Gardner took the credit to present the history in the manner that would justify.
Interesting Points extracted from the literature are
> Story of Arabs betraying the Ottoman empire to uphold their sovereignty for secular Muslim countries with the help of the British when the British colonized the Jews in Palestine, and Arabs could not find any help on their behalf. It indicates the hatred of the Ottoman empire with Arab being on the same ideological background and preferring secularism over religion.
> Zionism and Judaism are separate entities, Judaism is not obliged to secure a state for the religious background but Zionism opts. Not necessary to be jew for Zionism, you can join based on ideology to secure the homeland for Judaism.
> Belford Declaration conveyed in different manner with different parties to gain their support, with Arab it was more a settlement for temporary basis while for the Zion it was resolution of homeland, British diplomacy kept the promises on both hands to gain each support.
> No benefit receive from the Palestine colonization but the British insist on diplomacy, with rivalry, disputes, and aggression between Arab and Zion keep the British mandate a hard rule to govern and keep the place in the region
> Come to know about the League of Nations, an earlier protocol of the United Nations, not as successful as the UN but most of the ideas remain the same to govern the World Order and policies beyond countries.
> Zion's strategy of the creation of Israel, rather than revolt and not participate in the political mission as Arabs do, keeps in phase with the British to govern while they are in power but when they show weakness, get rid of them and establish your own nation-state.
> Arab Tribe prioritize their caste over the religious sect and divide themselves into different groups with ease to keep them aligned, holding Great Mufti's and Palestine political parties finding ways for mutual benefit from administration Britain while disputing the mandate (reason for Britain stay).
> After so many reports and white papers, the British keep the mandate, with different narration
1. In early 1890, the mandate was religious in nature to return the Jews to their holy place
2. In early 1910, it was a strategic position to keep the rival France colony in Syria at distance from securing Arabs.
3. In early 1930, it was a policy to keep the promise and the League of Nations policy.
4. In 1940, just save the Jews from the Holocaust and settle them in a region more promising as no foreign willing to admit them.
It is good to read books and I will encourage you to go through the history to have an understanding of the obligation and complex nature of the issue between 2 states.
Interesting Points extracted from the literature are
> Story of Arabs betraying the Ottoman empire to uphold their sovereignty for secular Muslim countries with the help of the British when the British colonized the Jews in Palestine, and Arabs could not find any help on their behalf. It indicates the hatred of the Ottoman empire with Arab being on the same ideological background and preferring secularism over religion.
> Zionism and Judaism are separate entities, Judaism is not obliged to secure a state for the religious background but Zionism opts. Not necessary to be jew for Zionism, you can join based on ideology to secure the homeland for Judaism.
> Belford Declaration conveyed in different manner with different parties to gain their support, with Arab it was more a settlement for temporary basis while for the Zion it was resolution of homeland, British diplomacy kept the promises on both hands to gain each support.
> No benefit receive from the Palestine colonization but the British insist on diplomacy, with rivalry, disputes, and aggression between Arab and Zion keep the British mandate a hard rule to govern and keep the place in the region
> Come to know about the League of Nations, an earlier protocol of the United Nations, not as successful as the UN but most of the ideas remain the same to govern the World Order and policies beyond countries.
> Zion's strategy of the creation of Israel, rather than revolt and not participate in the political mission as Arabs do, keeps in phase with the British to govern while they are in power but when they show weakness, get rid of them and establish your own nation-state.
> Arab Tribe prioritize their caste over the religious sect and divide themselves into different groups with ease to keep them aligned, holding Great Mufti's and Palestine political parties finding ways for mutual benefit from administration Britain while disputing the mandate (reason for Britain stay).
> After so many reports and white papers, the British keep the mandate, with different narration
1. In early 1890, the mandate was religious in nature to return the Jews to their holy place
2. In early 1910, it was a strategic position to keep the rival France colony in Syria at distance from securing Arabs.
3. In early 1930, it was a policy to keep the promise and the League of Nations policy.
4. In 1940, just save the Jews from the Holocaust and settle them in a region more promising as no foreign willing to admit them.
It is good to read books and I will encourage you to go through the history to have an understanding of the obligation and complex nature of the issue between 2 states.
September 1, 2024
Well researched and thorough in its analysis this book provides a comprehensive understanding of the role of British colonialism in the formation of Isreal. The text is fascinating in exploring the role of global politics in the formation of Israel. However whilst the first section of the period is explored in detail, and at times repetitively, I felt there was less indepth analysis of the later period (post-ww2). The role of the UN isn't explored as much as I would of liked and the context of the cold War is only briefly mentioned. Overall its a great read if you want to understand Britain's role in the formation of Israel more with interesting comparative historical approaches however I feel there is an inbalance in the exploration of the earlier vs latter part of the period.
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November 22, 2019A book that shares the history of Zionism and the creation of Israel. Many historical facts are presented but a good grasp in the European and Middle East history is probably required. Additionally, very little were mentioned about the history of the Jews before the 18th century.
April 25, 2025
I think this book is a must-read for anyone who wants to delve into the reasons for the creation of the state of Israel. It presents the argument against the right of Israel to be created in very clear and factually supported terms. It has substantially changed my views on this critical issue.
Very readable and very persuasive.
Highly recommended!
Very readable and very persuasive.
Highly recommended!
November 5, 2023
Gera, nors kartais sausokai parašyta. Verta su
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews