I. OverviewPalestinian nationalism Zionism shared these basic features: accepted European ideas. Each nation is distinct, entitle to own territory, and all members are equal before the law.Palestinian identity: very new, this started forming in the 1920’s—Palestinian nationalism had much more shallow roots than ZionismJewish community was strong socially and economically, also receive stronger outside supportPalestinian leaders usually rejected compromise because they felt that people were against them. Fear of the future created a sense of rigidity.In short term, Zionist accepted compromise. Felt that time and history was on their side.General themes, roles may have been reversed.II. Palestine to 1918--Before the rise of nationalism. Ottoman empire controlled most of the middle east during this time. Under ottomans, Arab loyalties were local, universal, but not national. Before 1918, Arabs defined themselves by village and family. No distinct Palestinian identity separate from an Arab or Muslim or Christian identity, the universal term.--No one called themselves as Palestinians, that didn’t start until around the 1920’s, separate from a larger Arab or Muslim identity. One main reason why the Jews and Europeans failed to see the Arabs of Palestine in the 1920’s as a distinct community…members of a larger Arab world.--Palestine gained wealth through export business and many people used this wealth to get a western education. However, for peasants, they didn’t have these options.Ayans (notable elite), dominated Palestinian society until it collapsed in 1948.III. Birth of Palestinian Nationalism--the way Palestine looked on the eve of WWI. With collapse of Ottoman elites in Arab: who are we? What state do we belong to?First response: Replace ottoman empire with great pan-Arab nation state, greater Syria; Palestine would be a part of this.Unfortunately, masses had no interest in this, only the Ayans.Also, Arab elites couldn’t agree amongst themselves. British empire and France didn’t like this idea as well.--Intellectuals in Palestine needed to develop a more national identity. Dec. 1920 the Arab Congress, must defend Palestine. Redefined themselves of members of a strictly Palestinian community working within the framework of the British Mandate.--Muslim Christian Association: sought to build harmony between Christians and Muslims within Arab community in Palestine (Christ: 12% of Pop). This gave birth to Arab Congresses that sought to rally Palestinian Arab opinion to present to the British.-- Supreme Muslim Council: British created this in 1922 to supervise Muslim institutions in Palestine. Led by Haj Amin al-Husayni, from a leading ayan family.**most of these organizations were created by those likely in Ayan families. The drive towards western education, nationalist ideas, etc. always eventually reached the countryside but started in the cities.IV. Problems of Palestinian Nationalism-Zionism proved much more popular than Palestinian nationalism. While the Jewish population increased, the Palestinian population fell. Why was the Jewish version of nationalism so much stronger than Palestine’s.a. Economic weaknessYishuv had a stonger economic face. Jewish economy had a much more educated workforce, more technologically advanced agriculture and industry. Jewish economy grew faster than the Palestinian economy, much greater political and military resources.b. Low literacy, poor communications, novelty of a Palestinian IDJewish was more literate so more open to nationalist communication. 1931, 22% of Palestinians could read. 86% of Jews were literate. The circulation of Jewish schools, newspapers, radio, movies, etc. established a strong Jewish identity.For poor Palestinians, the politics was the concern of the Ayans, city folk. No historic political identity by when these communication systems could build. True throughout much of the Middle East…no true structures of nationalism because nations are relatively new and have no historic foundation.Vagueness of identity made it difficult to rally people.c. Weak urban baseJews were more urban, 81% lived in cities. 30% of Palestinians. Gave them access to movies, news, and mainstream media. This also led to having control over communication and transportation routes. Control of the cities became very influential in controlling the Arabs during their outbreaks.d. Internal divisionsYishuv was more socially unified so it was easier for them to act together. They all defined themselves as Jews and as Zionist, also very little economic differences between Jews.Palestinians still held on to their identity stemming from their villages. Also, Arab Muslims viewed Arab Christians similarly to Christians from Europe. “After Saturday comes Sunday” (after getting rid of the Jews, we’ll get rid of the Christians)Tensions arose between rich and poor Arabs. Caused by population pressure, Jewish evictions…also caused by Ayans who evicted tenants from their lands. So many Arabs not only blame the Jews but the Ayan class. Husayni family, Nashashibi family tensions; tensions between different sectors of the elite. Internal weaknesses which breakdown Palestinian nationalism.e. British policyMandate period, British were much more sympathetic to Zionist. They refused to limit Jewish immigration for example. Palestinian notables wrote petitions towards the British, but there was never any mass organization to support their claims and put pressure on the British. However, the Ayans didn’t want to do this because they were afraid that if they were to organize with the poor, the poor would then demand basic social change—which would jeopardize the Ayan’s privileges.f. Strategic miscalculationJoined to these internal and external powers were poor choices by Ayan leaders. Notables refused any compromise, this reflected their distain towards Jews, also rigidity reflected this deep sense of injustice.This approach reduced chances of achieving important Palestinian goals. 1920s, Palestinian leaders refused British offers to create legislative bodies, which would have some influence. Refused this because Jews would have some influence. BUT, this may have given the Palestinians much more access to creation of an independent government in the future.Rejected 1939 White Paper that promised to end Jewish immigration in 5 years and to make Palestinian independent under Arab control in 10 years. Rejected this because it didn’t end all