Fact Check: Zionist organizations during the British Mandate bought land from absentee landlords and evicted thousands of the native Palestinian tenant farmers to make room for Jewish settlers from Europe

The Claim: "Zionist organizations during the British Mandate bought land from absentee landlords and evicted thousands of the native Palestinian tenant farmers to make room for Jewish settlers from Europe"

1. Introduction

The claim suggests that during the British Mandate in Palestine, Zionist organizations purchased land from absentee landlords, resulting in the eviction of thousands of Palestinian tenant farmers to accommodate Jewish settlers from Europe. This assertion touches on a complex historical narrative involving land ownership, socio-economic conditions, and the political climate of the time.

2. What We Know

The historical context of land purchases in Palestine during the British Mandate (1920-1948) is multifaceted.

• Land Purchases: Jewish land purchases began in earnest in the late 19th century, with organizations like the Jewish National Fund actively acquiring land. By the 1930s, these purchases had accelerated, particularly following the rise of anti-Semitism in Europe, prompting increased Jewish immigration to Palestine 125.

• Absentee Landlords: Many of the lands purchased were owned by absentee landlords, often from outside Palestine, which complicated the relationship between Jewish settlers and local Arab tenant farmers. The Sursock Purchase, for example, involved significant land transactions that displaced local Arab communities 36.

• Evictions: Reports indicate that the process of land acquisition often led to the eviction of Palestinian tenant farmers. The British Mandate's land laws, influenced by Ottoman precedents, recognized tenant farmers but also allowed for their displacement under certain conditions 47. Some sources claim that these evictions were systematic and part of a broader strategy to establish Jewish settlements 8.

• Economic Conditions: The economic situation in Palestine during the 1930s was dire for many Arab peasants, leading some to sell their land due to financial pressures. This context is crucial for understanding the dynamics of land transactions during this period 56.

3. Analysis

The claim that Zionist organizations evicted Palestinian tenant farmers after purchasing land from absentee landlords is supported by various historical accounts, but the interpretation of these events can vary significantly based on the source.

• Supporting Sources:

  • The Jewish Virtual Library notes that many Arab peasants sold their land during economic hardships, which could imply voluntary transactions rather than forced evictions 5. However, this perspective may downplay the coercive elements involved in some evictions.
  • The BADIL Resource Center provides a detailed account of the legal framework that enabled evictions, suggesting that the British authorities often sided with landowners, which facilitated the displacement of tenant farmers 4.

• Contradicting Sources:

  • Some sources, like the Wikipedia entry on Jewish land purchases, emphasize that many of these transactions were legal and conducted with the consent of the landlords, which complicates the narrative of outright dispossession 2.
  • The Jewish Voice for Peace document mentions that some Jewish settlers viewed themselves as part of a superior civilization, indicating a cultural aspect to the land acquisition that may have influenced local perceptions and reactions 10.

• Source Reliability:

  • The Wikipedia entries provide a broad overview but may lack depth in critical analysis, as they can be edited by anyone and may reflect biases.
  • The BADIL Resource Center, while providing valuable insights, may have a political agenda that could influence its portrayal of events.
  • Academic sources like the article from the journal "Middle Eastern Studies" 6 are generally more reliable due to their peer-reviewed nature, but they may still reflect the authors' perspectives.

4. Conclusion

Verdict: Partially True

The claim that Zionist organizations bought land from absentee landlords and evicted Palestinian tenant farmers is partially true. Historical evidence supports the notion that land purchases did occur, often involving absentee landlords, and that these transactions sometimes led to the eviction of local tenant farmers. However, the context surrounding these evictions is complex. Many land sales were influenced by economic pressures faced by Palestinian farmers, and the legal framework of the British Mandate allowed for such evictions under certain conditions.

It is important to note that interpretations of these events can vary widely based on the sources consulted. Some accounts emphasize voluntary sales and legal transactions, while others highlight systematic evictions and dispossession. This divergence illustrates the nuanced nature of historical narratives and the need for careful evaluation of the evidence.

Limitations in the available evidence also warrant caution. The reliability of sources varies, with some potentially reflecting political biases. As such, readers are encouraged to critically evaluate the information presented and consider multiple perspectives when forming their understanding of this complex historical issue.

5. Sources

1. The British Mandate in Palestine - U-M LSA. Link
2. Jewish land purchase in Palestine - Wikipedia. Link
3. Sursock Purchases - Wikipedia. Link
4. Land Ownership in Palestine/Israel (1920-2000) - BADIL Resource Center. Link
5. The Arab Community Under the Palestine Mandate - Jewish Virtual Library. Link
6. Full article: The British Mandate and the crisis of Palestinian ... - Taylor & Francis Online. Link
7. 1901: Jewish National Fund starts buying land - No Malarkey. Link
8. The Land Question in Palestine - Zionism & Israel. Link
9. Land Ownership in Palestine, 1880-1948 | survival. Link
10. What was Palestine like before the Nakba? - Jewish Voice for Peace. Link