Arab Nationalism –Pan Arabism
Early Nationalism for Palestinians meant patriotism for “Greater Syria,” an entity created under the British Mandate government that encompassed Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, and Jordan. Many Arab residents viewed Greater Syria as a beacon of Arab independence and unity and believed that one day it would become an independent Arab nation. Nationalism for Greater Syria overlapped with and reinforced the newly-emerging Arab nationalism.
The newly-elected king of Syria (Faisal bin Al Hussein), courted Palestinian support through anti-Zionist resolutions. Palestinians got behind Greater Syria, viewing it as the best option for overcoming Zionism and British rule. However, King Faisal betrayed the Palestinians through agreements with the Zionist leadership, dividing the movement. Then the French was given the mandate for Syria, invaded, took over Syria, divided it up, exiled Faisal, and ended all aspirations for Greater Syria as an independent Arab nation. Cooperation with the Jews ended, and the focus of Arab nationalism was instead directed towards Jerusalem and Palestine. Palestinians turned their attention to Palestinian independence. By the 1920s, a uniquely Palestinian nationalism began to emerge.
At the Third Arab Congress in 1920, the Palestinians presented their platform for independence: "Public recognition of Palestine, as it would be constituted by the mandate, as a distinct political entity for the people living there, a total rejection of any political or moral right of the Jews over Palestine, a declaration of unity among the Palestinian Arabs to supersede any other loyalties, such as those to religion, region, and clan, a call to the new administration to halt any transfers of Arab or state lands to Jewish control, the demand to close Palestine to further Jewish immigration, a call to recognize the Arab Executive Committee as the legitimate representative of the population before the British authorities."
By 1921, Palestinian nationalism was evident in the press. Conflicts arose, and leaders proved unable to move past them or move their populations past them in order to build a powerful or unified national front. But a clear Palestinian nationalism had developed.
"Arab Nationalism - The Rise of Islamic Movements | What Happened Before That? Zionist and Palestinian Nationalist Histories." Arab Nationalism - The Rise of Islamic Movements | What Happened Before That? Zionist and Palestinian Nationalist Histories. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2013.
"Development of Palestinian Nationalism Post-WWI | What Happened Before That? Zionist and Palestinian Nationalist Histories." Development of Palestinian Nationalism Post-WWI | What Happened Before That? Zionist and Palestinian Nationalist Histories. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2013.
"The History of Israel - A Chronological Presentation - 2. The Establishment of Israel." The History of Israel - A Chronological Presentation - 2. The Establishment of Israel. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2013.
The newly-elected king of Syria (Faisal bin Al Hussein), courted Palestinian support through anti-Zionist resolutions. Palestinians got behind Greater Syria, viewing it as the best option for overcoming Zionism and British rule. However, King Faisal betrayed the Palestinians through agreements with the Zionist leadership, dividing the movement. Then the French was given the mandate for Syria, invaded, took over Syria, divided it up, exiled Faisal, and ended all aspirations for Greater Syria as an independent Arab nation. Cooperation with the Jews ended, and the focus of Arab nationalism was instead directed towards Jerusalem and Palestine. Palestinians turned their attention to Palestinian independence. By the 1920s, a uniquely Palestinian nationalism began to emerge.
At the Third Arab Congress in 1920, the Palestinians presented their platform for independence: "Public recognition of Palestine, as it would be constituted by the mandate, as a distinct political entity for the people living there, a total rejection of any political or moral right of the Jews over Palestine, a declaration of unity among the Palestinian Arabs to supersede any other loyalties, such as those to religion, region, and clan, a call to the new administration to halt any transfers of Arab or state lands to Jewish control, the demand to close Palestine to further Jewish immigration, a call to recognize the Arab Executive Committee as the legitimate representative of the population before the British authorities."
By 1921, Palestinian nationalism was evident in the press. Conflicts arose, and leaders proved unable to move past them or move their populations past them in order to build a powerful or unified national front. But a clear Palestinian nationalism had developed.
"Arab Nationalism - The Rise of Islamic Movements | What Happened Before That? Zionist and Palestinian Nationalist Histories." Arab Nationalism - The Rise of Islamic Movements | What Happened Before That? Zionist and Palestinian Nationalist Histories. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2013.
"Development of Palestinian Nationalism Post-WWI | What Happened Before That? Zionist and Palestinian Nationalist Histories." Development of Palestinian Nationalism Post-WWI | What Happened Before That? Zionist and Palestinian Nationalist Histories. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2013.
"The History of Israel - A Chronological Presentation - 2. The Establishment of Israel." The History of Israel - A Chronological Presentation - 2. The Establishment of Israel. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2013.