Creating Arab States from the Ottoman Empire

Nadene Goldfoot
The Sheikhs of Araby
The British had their problems getting their stories straight when they were given the mandate of the land of Palestine in 1918.  The Ottoman Empire, which was ruled by the Turks, had sided with the Axis or German side.  They lost in WWI.  The empire was by then bankrupt and in the hands of the allies who held mandates over the land.  The Arabs didn't like being in the Ottoman Empire under Turks anyway. 

Born in 1853 was a Sheikh, Sharif Hussein bin Ali, Emir of Mecca, a city in Saudi Arabia.  He held title to "King of the Arabs."  This leader was the great grandfather of the present day King Hussein, and was the leader of the Great Arab Revolt.  A Sheikh is an Arab chief.  In his case, his family had held this title from 1201CE to 1925.  He died in 1931.  This was at a time when Russian Jews were making aliyah to the land and developing kibbutzeem, draining swamps, planting Eucalyptus trees,  killing mosquitoes, tilling the land and fighting off raiders.  They had bought land from absent Arab land owners who were having a gay old time in Paris, no doubt. 

Abdullah and Faisal were his sons.  There was a great battle between the Turks and the Arabs.   The British made promises to the Arabs and promises to the Jews.  The promises were about the same piece of land.  This Hashemite family, descending from Muhammad,  secured Arab rule over Transjordan, Iraq and Arabia.

Faisal was the 3rd son of the King of the Arabs.  On January 3, 1919, he signed the Faisal-Weizmann Agreement for Arab-Jewish cooperation.  He knew about the Balfour Declaration as well.  He was the king of Syria in 1920 and then king of Iraq from 1921 to 1933.  He wanted a very large Arab state for himseslf including Iraq, Syria and the rest of the fertile Crescent.

Two weeks prior to signing the agreement, Faisal stated:

The two main branches of the Semitic family, Arabs and Jews, understand one another, and I hope that as a result of interchange of ideas at the Peace Conference, which will be guided by ideals of self-determination and nationality, each nation will make definite progress towards the realization of its aspirations. Arabs are not jealous of Zionist Jews, and intend to give them fair play and the Zionist Jews have assured the Nationalist Arabs of their intention to see that they too have fair play in their respective areas.

 Everything was predicated on the Arabs gaining their independence.  "The Arabs did not obtain their independence and the Faisal-Weizmann agreement survived only a few months."  It wasn't up to the Jews to give them this independence; it was the British. 
 
Though Weizmann argued in 1947 that Britain had given the Arab independence, they actually wanted more.  The catch was that Sharif Hussein formally endorsed the Balfour Declaration in the Treaty of Sèvres of 10 August 1920, along with the other Allied Powers, as King of Hedjaz.  The treaty was still binding.  The UN did not go along with it." 

Transjordan was created in 1922 and Jordan was created in 1946.
Iraq was created in 1958 and Lebanon in 1943.  Syria was under the French mandate and was created in April 1946.  Egypt has been Egypt forever, but also went through changes.  1954 saw a government.  Iran, which was Persia in bible days, had a government in 1953.  Israel was created May 1948. 

If the British had played their cards a little differently, Faisal and Weizmann could have been successful in their goals to bring these two semitic cousins together, but it was not to be.  Weizmann settled for the poorest portion of the original Jewish Homeland promised to the Jews and was rightfully  happy that he had something that had been lost to us.  Each Sheikh in this Hussein family wanted his own kingdom.  If one brother was promised land, the others wanted their fair share as well.  Our forefathers meant well.  Little could they imagine that we'd still be fighting over the right to have Israel after 63 years of their original declaration.  It's too bad that out of all those Sheikhs there isn't another like Faisal, who saw the good in the Jews coming home. 

Resource: http://www.kinghussein.gov.jo/sharif_hussein.html
http://www.kinghussein.gov.jo/his_arabrevolt.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faisal_I_of_Iraq

How Arabia Came to be Home to Jews Hated by Muhammad

Nadene Goldfoot
1,000 years before Mohammed the Prophet was born, Jews were already experiencing an exile from their homeland, Judea and were sitting by the waters of Babylon saying "If I forget thee O Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its cunning.  A Reverend Parks commented that "the religion which was developing into a universalistic ethical monotheism never lost its root in The Land.  The land of Israel is intertwined far more intimately into the religious and historic memories of the people; for their connection with the country has been of much longer duration---in fact it has been continuous from the 2nd millennium BCE to to modern times.  It is the emotional centre which has endured through the whole of their period of "exile" and has led to constant returns or attempted returns, culminating in our own day in the Zionist Movement."

Israel was a nation in about 1220 BCE, almost 2,000 years before the first Arab invasion began.  Arabist scholar Alfred Guillaume reports that Jews probably first settled in Arabia when Samaria fell in 721 BCE. All they had to do was travel south and follow the Red Sea and they were there.  It was not that far. 

 A self-contained Jewish military colony in Aswan and upper Egypt, found just a few years ago, was founded after Samaria fell.  The Jewish settlements in Arabia were from the fugitives escaping from the old northern capital of the Hebrews.  In the 1st and 2nd centuries CE...Arabia offered a near asylum to the Jews who had been the victims of the ruthless Romans. 

Jewish and Christian settlements were established in places in Arabia, spreading Aramaic and Hellenistic culture.  Jews and Judaised Arabs were everywhere in Najran, a southern Arabian Christian center.  Jews were also in Yathrib, later renamed Medina as agriculturists and artisans.  Medina is abut 280 miles north of Mecca.  The Jewish tribes that settled there were the Banu Nadir and Banu Quraiza.  Pagan Arabs then arrived attracted by the richness of the town.  They became clients of the Jews, then later dominated them.  At the time there was no stable government.  It was torn apart by the feuds of the rival Arab tribes of Aus and Khazraj while the Jew tried to maintain a balance of power.  The Jews were disliked as they were wealthier.  With the presence of Muhammad, the Arabs attacked and eliminated the Jews. 

In the last half of the 5th century, Persian Jews escaped persecution and fled to Arabia.  By the 6th century, Christian writers wrote about the Jewish community that remained in the Holy Land.  Tiberius in Judea was most important.  In Arabia in the kingdom of Himyar on the Red Sea's east coast, it was popular to convert to Judaism for important people.  The rule of this kingdom stretched over South Arabia.  Then commoners and the royal family adopted Judaism with the Rabbis from Tiberius begin part of the King Du Noas's entourage and serving as his envoys in negotiations with Christian cities. 

When Islam was becoming popular, Jews were dominating the economic life of Arabia holding lots of the best land and made up at least half of the population of Medina.  A Jewish settlement also was to the north of the Gulf of Aqaba.  Jews of the Hijaz made many converts among the Arab tribesmen.  These Judean refugees, Jews, had resettled to become prosperous, influential Arabian settlers.  They prospered because they had superior knowledge of agriculture and irrigation, were industrious and had the energy.  Jewish prosperity was a challenge to the Arabs, especially the Quraysh in Mecca and tribes in Medina.  Muhammad was a member of the Quraysh tribe, and they coveted all that the Jews were accomplishing but didn't have any of the necessary skills. 

There we have the background of how Muhammed became so bitter as to write in his Koran such things as kill a Jew if you see him behind a rock.   He himself even had one or two Jews...murdered and no blood money was paid to their next of kin.  He was coming into his power and couldn't abide pockets of disaffected Jews around his base so they had to be eliminated.  The Jews would not convert to Islam. 

A tribe of Jews were suspected of treachery and were forced to put down their arms and leave their homes so that the land and goods could be taken by the Muslims.  Other tribes were afraid to come to their aid, such as the Qurayza and the Aus.  Muhammad said, "Two religions may not dwell together on the Arabian Peninsula."  His successors, Abu Bakr and Omar I,  carried out the edict.  Jews were slaughtered and exterminated.  The Jewish dhimmi thus evolved; the robbery of freedom and political independence and taking of property of Jews in Arab lands until 1948. 

Well, Israel is not sitting on the Arabian peninsula.  Israel as a country is a Jewish state with over 1 million Muslims living there along with Christians and possibly other religious groups as well.  It was a haven for Asian boat people.   There are no Jews allowed to live in Saudi Arabia ever since Muhammad made his decree.  It is 100% Sunni Muslims with an absolute monarchy with about 27,601,038 population.  It's time for the Muslims to realize that Israel is not on the Arabian Peninsula and that was what was covered by their leader, not the land Israel is on.  Israelis have gone back home to Israel. 

Resource: From Time Immemorial by Joan Peters pps 140-145

USA's $60 Billion Deal Selling Arms to Saudi Arabia
Nadene Goldfoot

Way back in the first part of September the news was that the USA was selling $60 billion dollars worth of arms to Saudi Arabia. The reason behind it was because of their threat from Iran. Israel was not protesting because supposedly the jets involved in the sale lacked long range weapons systems and were of a lower grade that those sold to Israel.

The deal includes 84 new F-15 fighter planes, and nearly 200 Apache, Black Hawk and Little Bird helicopters, as well as upgrades for 70 fighter planes. The deal also would include a satellite-guided “smart bomb” system, as well as anti-ship and anti-radar missiles. It will take five to 10 years to complete the deal, according to reports.Read more: http://www.forward.com/articles/132371/#ixzz14N60sixM

The USA is also giving Saudi Arabia the message that we can take care of their security needs without them going nuclear.

Several of our congress members were against the sale such as Weiner of NY, Berkly and Carney as well as Republican members.

Congress had 30 days to review the deal and could block or amend it, but it looks like just a few are against it, so it may pass. Israel has been told that they will have the upper edge.

The USA has been trying to supply Arab nations with arms to protect them against Iran. My concern is that they do not get into the hands of militants and be used against Israel, instead.

http://www.theatlanticwire.com/opinions/view/opinion/Why-Is-the-US-Selling-Saudi-Arabia-60-Billion-in-Arms-5027

http://www.jpost.com/International/Article.aspx?id=188405

http://www.forward.com/articles/132371/
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/u-s-announces-60b-arms-sale-to-saudi-arabia-says-israel-doesn-t-object-1.320307?localLinksEnabled=false

USA Arms Middle East For Profit

Nadene Goldfoot

Our adjoining neighbor, Egypt, has signed a peace treaty with Israel. Their last war was in 1967, when all surrounding countries attacked Israel, and Israel survived and won. Saudi Arabia did not sign.

That hasn't stopped the United States from arming the Saudis and providing them with better and better weaponry. In 1981 they sold them AWACS radar planes. They also bought advanced systems from Britain and France. Their reason they said was to defend themselves against the Soviet Union. Even Henry Kissenger mentioned that it was silly to think these would only be used against Russia and not Israel. I am shocked that anyone would buy such logic. Of course it was to use against Israel.

After 9/11, new sales have continued "to fight a war on terror." I note that the terrorists from 9/11 were Saudi Arabians! They bought F-15s, laser-guided "smart-bombs" and other advanced weapons, things that would be useful against Israel but not al-Qaida, a group they most likely contribute to. Our Bush administration okayed these sales. Of course, the Saudis were his friends. Not only Saudi Arabia were buyers, but also Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.

Interestingly, even after buying billions of dollars worth of weapons, USA had to come to the Saudis rescue in 1991. Now they're saying they are important to use against Iran.

Ehud Barak has asked the USA went from Israel to Washington to discuss this situation. Michael Oren has said that the Obama Administration is going to act to correct this problem. In 1968 the USA sold Israel Phantom jets. Ten years later with Jimmy Carter, Israel's enemy neighbors were supplied with weapons. Advanced fighter planes were sold to Egypt and Saudi Arabia. More and more supplies have gone to Arab states. This is happening at a time when USA has had to borrow money from China to survive. We just promised Haiti a lot of money. I don't know where it all is coming from being our coffers are about empty. I suppose we'll just borrow more and more. Or, is the thinking that the sale will bring in a cash cow? Selling weapons has been making a lot of money.

It seems that either our USA doesn't care who it sells to or is aware of the repercussions in order to make a buck, or they're playing some sort of chess game, depending on who is in office.

Saudi Arabia is the country with the most oil, and therefore the most money. They also are probably the most religious, and object the most to Israel's presence, causing the other countries to join in the rebellion. They converted people to their religion with their swords. They're still trying to rule the world with weaponry.

I wouldn't be surprised if someday we find out that the Saudis have bought the ability to buy weaponry from individuals who are dollar hungry and sympathetic. It has happened in the past and probably is being played out today as well. It's sad when we have high ideals, but they're not followed by everyone. History has a habit of repeating.

Reference: Michell Bard #349: Is the US Maintaining Israel's Qualitative Edge?

How Jews Got Balfour's Help

Nadene Goldfoot

After the Ottoman Empire fell in WWI, the whole empire was divided up between the French and the English. The English won because a Jewish man, Chaim Weimann invented artificial acetone, which was the chief ingredient in cordite-a smokeless gun powder. This enabled the British to mass produce gunpowder for the war and to win against Germany. The Ottoman Empire had sided with Germany, and the axis lost everything.

The promise was that Israel would be created where it had originally been. At this time there were about 85,000 to 100,000 Jews living in Palestine where the land of Israel had been. Most of the Arabs living there had migrated in the past 30 years because they were attracted by jobs offered by Jews who were building and farming. Jews had immigrated in large numbers in 1882 when only 250,000 Arabs were living there. Arabs mostly were a migratory people.

In 1917 Earl Arthur Balfour, foreign secretary, promised British support with the Balfour Doctrine. Previously in 1906, they had a conversation about an offer he had made in 1903 to take Uganda instead of Israel, even though at that time the Ottomans still controlled the Middle East.

Weizmann asked Balfour, "Would you take Paris over London?
Balfour replied, "But we already have London". He meant that Jews should take whatever they could get, and that beggers couldn't be choosers.
Weizmann retorted back, "Mr. Balfour, the Jews had Jerusalem when London was a marsh."

What Balfour didn't know was that we all had made a promise ever since the fall of Jerusalem in 70AD by the Roman attack was that we would not forget it, lest we would lose our right hand. Being of this generation, I haven't forgotten and neither have my peers. Uganda? Not a chance. If Americans suddenly lost the USA, I wonder how long future generations would remember and crave Washington DC?

Balfour's promise was watered down so badly that one can hardly recognize it. We did not receive the parcel of land promised, but just a piece of the pie. Other Arab rulers were able to feather their nests around 1932 and get nations like Iraq and Saudi Arabia. We had to wait until May 1948, and even at that had to fight the minute we announced our statehood to keep it. So much for broken promises.