End of the British Mandate for Palestine facts for kids

The end of the British Mandate for Palestine was officially announced on April 29, 1948. The British government stated that it would no longer be in charge of Palestine after midnight on May 14, 1948. This decision marked a big change for the region.

What Was the British Mandate?

After World War I, the Ottoman Empire broke apart. In 1920, a group called the League of Nations gave Britain the job of managing Palestine. This was called the "Mandate." Britain was supposed to govern Palestine until the area was ready to rule itself.

In 1939, Britain released a plan called the 1939 White Paper. This plan suggested that an independent Palestinian state would be created within 10 years. However, it wasn't clear exactly what this new state would look like.

Why Did Britain Decide to Leave?

Many things led to Britain's decision to end its rule. After World War II, leaders met at the Yalta Conference in 1945. They agreed that the UN would take over the management of areas like Palestine.

In 1945, a report called the Harrison Report showed the difficult conditions for people who had lost their homes in Europe after the war. This added pressure to find solutions for refugees.

Later in 1945, Britain's Foreign Secretary, Ernest Bevin, thought Britain should give the Palestine problem to the UN. He felt Britain needed to try to solve it first, though.

The League of Nations officially closed down in 1946. It transferred all its responsibilities to the UN. Britain also granted independence to Transjordan, which was part of the original mandate.

In 1946, a report from the Anglo-American Committee of Inquiry was published. This committee looked into the situation in Palestine.

Britain tried to find a solution at the London Conference in 1946-1947. However, no agreement was reached. The United States did not support Britain's plans. Because of this, Britain decided to officially ask the UN for help on February 14, 1947.

The United Nations Steps In

The United Nations Special Committee on Palestine (UNSCOP) was formed on May 15, 1947. This committee studied the situation and gave its report on September 3, 1947.

On November 29, 1947, the UN voted on the United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine. This plan suggested dividing Palestine into separate Arab and Jewish states. It also recommended that Britain's rule should end as soon as possible, no later than August 1, 1948.

Just two weeks later, on December 11, Britain's Colonial Secretary, Arthur Creech Jones, announced that the British Mandate would end on May 15, 1948.

The UN's Role

Britain asked the UN to discuss the Palestine issue. The UN held a special meeting from April 28 to May 15, 1947. During this meeting, some Arab countries tried to get the UN to declare Palestine independent right away. This attempt was not successful.

After the UNSCOP report came out, the Ad Hoc Committee on the Palestinian Question was created by the UN on September 24, 1947. This committee was formed to prepare for the UN's decision on Palestine.

What Happened in Palestine?

During the Mandate, there were rules about who could buy land and how many people could move into Palestine. By 1944, some immigration permits were still available. These limits were later made less strict. This allowed more people to move in, especially Jewish refugees from Europe after the war.

After World War II, Britain's new government decided to continue its existing policy for Palestine.

Right after the UN's decision to partition Palestine, a civil war started between the Arab and Jewish communities. On the very last day of the British Mandate, May 14, 1948, the State of Israel was created. This led to the start of the 1948 Arab–Israeli War.

In March 1948, the British government decided not to stop the creation of a Jewish state. They also agreed not to prevent forces from Transjordan from entering Palestine.

Sir Henry Gurney was a high-ranking British official in Palestine from 1946 until the end of the Mandate. He kept a diary about his experiences during this important time.

Jordan's Involvement

Abdullah I, the leader of Jordan, had long-standing connections with Jewish leaders and Palestine. Historians say that Abdullah met with Jewish representatives in November 1947. They reportedly reached an understanding about Abdullah's plan to take control of the Arab areas suggested by the UN partition plan.

After the Mandate ended, the Jordanian Arab Legion, led by Sir John Bagot Glubb, was ordered to enter Palestine. Their goal was to secure the Arab areas that the UN had set aside.