When Britain Almost Lost WWI and Chance of 30 Year Mandate over Palestine

Nadene Goldfoot                                               

    British soldiers in  WWI July 28, 1914 – November 11, 1918

Great Britain was with its Empire the most powerful of the major belligerents, the most politically and socially stable, and the best able to endure the strains of the war of WWI. 

Britain nearly lost WWI due to unpreparedness for large-scale land warfare, immense casualties from early battles like the Somme, and a stretched economy struggling to supply both the British army and its allies. The initial strategy of relying on a small professional army against a large conscripted German army, combined with the immense logistical and financial strain of maintaining the war effort, put Britain in a precarious position.                        

If Britain lost WWI, it would likely have faced no land losses in its home islands, but could have had to cede some of its colonial possessions to Germany, depending on the terms of a negotiated peace. Some historians speculate Britain might have been forced to accept German control over areas like Belgium, leading to greater German influence on the continent, though significant territorial gains at the expense of the British Empire are considered less probable. 

The Arab leader who fought for Britain to help win WWI was Hussein bin Ali, the Sherif of Mecca, who launched the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire with his sons, including Faisal I. Supported by British forces and guided by T.E. Lawrence ("Lawrence of Arabia"), the Arab Revolt helped disrupt Ottoman supply lines and contributed to their defeat on the Palestinian front.  

King Ali ibn Husayn of the Hijaz on an Arabian steed

Hussein bin Ali did not join the British army; instead, he launched the Great Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire on June 10, 1916, in alliance with the British. His revolt was supported by the British military's Egyptian Expeditionary Force, and his forces fought alongside them against the Ottoman military. 

The Ottoman Empire had held Palestine since 1516.  The Ottoman Empire took over Palestine in 1516 after defeating the Mamluks at the Battle of Marj Dabiq. This marked the beginning of approximately four centuries of Ottoman rule in the region. They were from Turkey .

     Dr. Chaim Weizmann at the University of Manchester

Chaim Weizmann gave his acetone–butanol–ethanol fermentation process to Britain in 1in  1915, the same year he patented it. The process was rapidly developed and began large-scale industrial production in 1916 to supply acetone for smokeless gunpowder during World War I. 

Then there was Chaim Weizmann, Chaim Azriel Weizmann ( 27 November 1874 – 9 November 1952) 78 when he died, was a Jewish  Russian-born  biochemist.  He developed the acetone–butanol–ethanol fermentation process, which produces acetone, n-butanol and ethanol through bacterial fermentation. His acetone production method was of great importance in the manufacture of cordite explosive propellants for the British war industry during World War I.  Weizmann's process for producing acetone through corn fermentation was crucial for Britain's WWI ammunition because it solved a critical shortage of acetone, a key ingredient in manufacturing cordite. By providing a domestic and large-scale supply of acetone, his invention enabled Britain to significantly increase its production of cordite propellant, which supplied its ammunition and ultimately helped sustain its war effort. 

                    Weizmann and Feisal in Aqaba with British

Both the Arab and the Jew were indispensable to Britain in winning  WWI. Jewish leaders had been negotiating with Britain  since 1915, and the Arabs joined the British on June 10, 1916, hoping the Allies would win. 

After WWI, Weizmann and Faisal met in Aqaba in June 1918 and later in London in December 1918, which led to the signing of the Faisal-Weizmann Agreement in Paris on January 3, 1919. The meetings were arranged by the British to foster cooperation between Arab and Zionist movements before the Paris Peace Conference. The post-WWI Paris Peace Conference started on January 18, 1919, and formally ended on January 21, 1920. The conference's main outcome, the Treaty of Versailles with Germany, was signed much earlier on June 28, 1919, marking the official end of the war. 

The Balfour Declaration was signed on November 2, 1917. It was a letter from the British Foreign Secretary, Arthur Balfour, to Lord Lionel Walter Rothschild, which expressed the British government's support for the establishment of a "national home for the Jewish people" in Palestine. 

• The declaration was written as a formal letter from British Foreign Secretary Arthur Balfour to a leader of the British Zionist Federation, Lionel Walter Rothschild. 
Its contents were later adopted by the League of Nations in 1922. 
The declaration is considered a pivotal moment in the history of the Middle East, though its impact and interpretation remain subjects of debate. 


This is what Jews hoped they were bargaining over.  In the end, they were
given 20% of the land only, and that everyone has been trying to take
half of for a Palestine.  


Unless something is written in stone or plastered on walls in pictures, it is 
not held in agreement these days.  We can't believe in promises.  

Why Arabs of Ottoman Empire Turned To Palestine To Make A Living

 Nadene Goldfoot                                           

                                East Jerusalem:  No “Palestinian Arab people” existed at the start of 1920, but, by December, it took shape in a form recognizably similar to today’s.

Until the late nineteenth century, residents living in the region between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean identified themselves primarily in terms of religion: Muslims felt far stronger bonds with remote co-religionists than with nearby Christians and Jews. Living in that area did not imply any sense of common political purpose.

• Economic opportunity: 

  The establishment of new settlements and development by Jewish immigrants created new jobs in agriculture, construction, and other sectors. Arabs were drawn to these opportunities, which offered a higher standard of living compared to their previous circumstances. Especially from Syria, many Arabs entered Palestine seeking jobs in building in the 1880's.   
• Improved living conditions: 

  The improvements made to health care, sanitation, and public health by Jewish developers led to a significant decrease in infant mortality rates and increased life expectancy for all residents in the region. 

   

During the first Aliyah of Jews leaving Eastern Europe and Russia for Palestine in 1881, there was trouble in the Ottoman Empire causing some of the Arabs to also look at Palestine for jobs. They may have seen the Jews' interest in this area.  Arabs from surrounding countries followed Jews to Palestine and got jobs building.  These were not the only Jews living in Palestine, for there were others who had been living there who had remained since 70 CE when the Romans had occupied and destroyed Jerusalem.  Romans kept them unable to have any power, having overtaken the country for themselves.  

Economic distress and unemployment in Ottoman Syria around 1880 were caused by a combination of a global financial crisis, imperial debt, shifts in the local economy due to European imports, and devastating agricultural issues. These factors disrupted traditional industries, drove up the cost of living, and put many artisans and farmers out of work. 

• Ottoman default: In 1875, the Ottoman state defaulted on its massive international debt, which ballooned from loans taken out during the mid-19th century. This economic crisis forced the empire to increase taxation on its provinces, including Syria, at a time when many residents could not afford it.
• European debt control: As a result of the default, the European-controlled Ottoman Public Debt Administration was established to ensure European creditors received a return on their investments. This further diminished Ottoman fiscal control and economic sovereignty.
• "Great Depression" of the 19th century: The Ottoman economy faced an unfavorable global economic climate during the "Great Depression" of 1873–1896. This period saw a slowdown in foreign trade and a decline in the terms of trade for the Ottoman Empire, compounding its financial problems. 
• There were some Arabs in Palestine but they were only too happy to selltheir land to Jews who were willing to pay their high prices.  Then they left for the big cities.  The Jews paid because to them it was holy land.
• The land was left in terrible condition, all swamps and mosquitoes or sand.  The Jews, who had never before been allowed to own land in Europe or anywhere, for that matter, came well prepared with knowledge from books.  They learned quickly.  
• Palestine was under Ottoman control from 1516 to 1917. This period of control ended when British forces occupied the region in 1917 during World War I, leading to the end of Ottoman rule in 1918 and the establishment of a British Mandate for Palestine in 1923.                                         
• Jewish aliyah (immigration) to Palestine primarily came from Europe, with significant numbers also arriving from Yemen and other countries, especially during the periods of the First and Fifth Aliyahs. Immigration waves originated from regions like Eastern Europe, driven by antisemitism and persecution, and later from Arab nations and Ethiopia after the establishment of the State of Israel. 

  

                           Beginning of the first Aliyah                                               
  • First Aliyah (1881–1903): Primarily from Eastern Europe (especially Russia) and Yemen. 
  • Second Aliyah (1904–1914): Almost exclusively from Russia, fleeing pogroms. 
  • Third Aliyah (1919–1923): Mostly from Russia and other Eastern European countries after World War I. 
  • Fourth Aliyah (1924–1929): Primarily from Poland and Hungary, representing a shift towards middle-class shopkeepers and artisans.                                
    
  • Fifth Aliyah (1929–1939): Fueled by the rise of Nazism, this saw a large influx of European Jews, especially from Germany and other Nazi-controlled areas. 
  • Aliyah Bet (1939–1948): An illegal immigration effort mainly of European Jews escaping Nazi persecution and Holocaust survivors. 
  • Post-1948: Major waves came from Arab nations and Ethiopia. 
  • Post-Soviet Union collapse (1991 onward): A massive wave of immigration from the former Soviet Union.
    
    In front of my apartment in Safed, Israel during winter.  We bought this Subaru through using the catalogue at the Subaru Company in Safed.  This was my German shepherd who everyone wanted to buy from me, but she wasn't for sale;  she was my baby, came with me all the way from Oregon.  
  • 
    
  •       I made Aliyah in 1980 and joined many Russians in my Hebrew 
  • class.  We had 40 of us, we being from the USA, and the rest
  • Canada, England, and Russia.                           
    
    
    
    
    
    

  Read:  THE SETTLERS, By Meyer Levin.  Historic Fiction/truth.  from 
• review:  Now seemed a good time, better late than never, to learn about Israel and Palestine and to try to understand why they can never seem to find peace.  I chose The Settlers.   It is very well written, informative and moving. It begins at the turn of the century and follows a Russian-Jewish family escaping the increasingly dangerous situation developing there. Levin paints a very clear picture of their dreams, goals, strengths and weaknesses. Life was not easy there either but to them it was home. During WWI they fought to help Jews from all over.  I feel that  you will   better understand some of the problems we see on TV every day. 

  I haven't read the Haj but it will be my next to read, as I enjoyed Uris' EXODUS.  

  Report this review

• Resource:

• https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/the-origins-of-the-palestinian-arabs#google_vignette

• 
  

How Big Is Israel? Updated 2025

Nadene Goldfoot

How Big Is Israel?

The population of the world as of 2007 is 6 billion, 602 million, 224 thousand, 175 as of 2007.  The world population is approximately 8.2 billion as of September 2025. The United Nations estimates the population passed 8 billion on November 15, 2022, and projections show it reaching 9 billion around 2037. 

Israel is very small. The population is 6 million, 426 thousand, 679. It is 10, 733 square miles, or 22,0072 sq km. or smaller than New Jersey. Of that, 76.4% are Jewish, 16% Muslim, and the rest Christians. This means that there are about 5,313,800 Jews in Israel as of 2006.

As of late 2024/early 2025, the population of Israel is approximately 10.1 million people, with roughly 77.6% Jewish, 20.9% Muslim, Christian, and Druze Arabs, and the remaining 2.5% classified as other. This breaks down to approximately: Jewish Around 7.8 million (77.6%)   Muslim Around 1.8 to 2.1 million (about 18.1% - 21%)

 As of October 7, 2023 how many were killed by the Hamas

 surprise attack?  Hamas, a terrorist organization, began this war with its brutal attack on October 7, 2023, which killed 1,200 innocent people and took 250 hostages. Israel, as any other country, had a right to defend itself from Hamas.  Thousands were injured, and all the families and living hostages are left with PTSD. 

Including East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights, the total area of Israel is approximately 8,522 square miles (22,072 square kilometers). This figure includes territory that Israel captured in the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed, which is not recognized by the majority of the international community. While Israel also captured the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and the Sinai Peninsula during the war, it did not formally annex them. 

In comparison, 

Portland, Oregon is approximately 145 square miles in area. This total includes both land and water, with the land area being about 133.5 square miles and the rest being water. 

Lebanon is smaller with a population of 3 million, 925 thousand, 502. It's size is 10,400 sq. km of which 170 is water. It is 0.7 the size of 

Connecticut, or just a little smaller than Israel by some 300 sq. km. It is unique in that it is made up of 59.7% Muslims, 39% Christians and no Jews. It does have 17 religious sects.

                                                       

The West Bank "Samaria and Judea"'s population is 2 million, 535 thousand, 927. It is 5 thousand 860 sq. km of which 220 sq. km is water. That's half of the size of Israel. It's a little smaller than Delaware. 75% of the people are Sunni Muslims, 17% Jewish and 8% Christians.

The largest populated Jewish town in the West Bank is Modiin Illit (also known as Kiryat Sefer), with a population of 83,510 as of late 2022. Beitar Illit is the next largest, followed by Ma'ale Adumim. What kind of Jews live in the West Bank?  First of all, they and others 

refer to Judea and Samaria instead, the first names used till 135 CE.  

They are orthodox Jews, Jews that revere our religion and know all about 

the history that lives for 4,000 years concerning our religion.  They are

the historians who keep  the faith. They differ from others in that they are

living the faith in the land of their fathers.     

As of late 2024 and early 2025, the West Bank's population is estimated to be over 4 million, which includes Palestinians, Israeli settlers, and small minority groups. The vast majority of the population is Muslim, with smaller but significant Jewish and Christian communities. 

Gaza's population is 1 million, 482 thousand, 405. It's size is 360 sq. km, and has 0 water. It is more than 2 Washington D.C.'s. It has 99.3% Sunni Muslims and 0.7% Christians. 

While the precise number is difficult to determine due to the ongoing conflict, most estimates from early to mid-2025 place Gaza's population at approximately 2.05 to 2.1 million people. This represents a significant decline from the pre-war figure of over 2.2 million. As of late September 2025, the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry reports that more than 66,000 Palestinians have been killed during the Israel-Hamas war that began in October 2023. The ministry's daily report from September 28, 2025, stated the cumulative death toll was 66,005. 

Jordan's population is 6 million, 053 thousand, 193. It's size is 92 thousand 300 sq. km of which 329 sq. km. is water. It is a little smaller than Indiana.

Syria's population is 19 million, 314 thousand, 747. The size is 185,180 sq km of which 1,130 sq. km is water. It is larger than North Dakota.

Iraq has 27 million, 499 thousand, 638. The size is 437,072 square km. of which 4,910 sq km is water. It is as big as 2 Idahos.

Saudi Arabia's population is 27 million, 601 thousand, 038. The size is 2 million, 149 thousand, 690 sq km with 0 water. It is more than 1/5 the size of the U.S.A.

Iran's population is 65 million, 397 thousand, 521. The size is 1,649 sq km of which 12,000 sq km is water.

It is larger than Alaska.

Egypt's population is 80 million, 335 thousand, 036. The size is 1 million ,001 thousand,450 sq. km of which water is 6,000 km. It is as big as 3 New Mexicos.

All of the countries other than Israel and the U.S.A. are made up of Muslims and a few Christians except Lebanon, which has many Christians. Jews are not allowed to live there, but are allowed as tourists in Egypt now.

In comparison, the USA has 301 million, 139 thousand, 947 people. The size is 9 million, 826 thousand, 630 sq. km. of which 664 thousand, 707 sq.km is water. It is half the size of Russia. Jews make up 1.7% of the population or about 5,275,000. Christians are 78.5%, 0.07% are Buddists and 0.06% are Muslims. Of the Christians, 51.3% are Protestants, 23.9% are Catholics, 1.7% are Mormons.

Cities similar in size to Israel are:

Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam with a population of 6,424,519.

Hong Kong, China has 6,097,000.

Essen, Germany has 6,559,000.

Cities larger than Israel

Mexico City, Mexico has 18, 131,000.

Tokyo, Japan has 28,025,000.

Reference: CIA World Fact Book. 2007