In 1917, the British government made a promise known as the Balfour Declaration. This statement committed Britain to helping create a “national home for the Jewish people” in Palestine. For many, this marked the start of Western support for what would become the state of Israel. But was this promise really about helping Jews, or was there something more to it?
At the time, Britain was dealing with a lot of anti-Semitic feelings. Foreign Secretary Arthur Balfour, who issued the declaration, was trying to win favor with the British public, who were uneasy about Jewish immigrants. Some Zionists, the people who wanted a Jewish state, thought that creating Israel was a progressive act to fight against rising prejudice in Europe. But historians argue that the real motives behind this declaration were far from altruistic.
Joti Brar, a political activist and vice chair of the Communist Party of Great Britain, has a different perspective. She argues that Israel’s creation was more about Western powers wanting to control the Middle East than about helping Jews. Brar suggests that Israel was set up as a strategic base for Western powers to control the region and its resources, like oil.
According to Brar, Israel’s foundation wasn’t just about offering a safe haven for Jews. Instead, it was part of a bigger plan for Western countries, especially the U.S. and Britain, to maintain their influence and access to valuable resources in the Middle East. She believes that the ongoing support for Israel is driven by these imperialistic goals rather than genuine concern for Jewish self-determination.
Brar points out that even though Israel presents itself as a beacon of democracy and self-determination, its origins are deeply tied to colonial interests. The initial waves of Jewish migration to Palestine, spurred by the Balfour Declaration, led to conflicts and the rise of paramilitary groups that targeted the local Palestinian population. This set the stage for what would later become the Israel Defense Forces and contributed to ongoing tensions in the region.
In short, Brar’s argument is that Western support for Israel is less about supporting Jewish people and more about using Israel as a strategic asset in their quest to control the Middle East and its resources. So, while the narrative of supporting Jewish self-determination sounds noble, the real story is about power and control.
