Question

question 1 of 20
how did 20th century british politics relate to the ongoing arab - israeli conflict?
a. the british encouraged tension between arabs and jews in palestine to prevent a rebellion against the british, but eventually sided with the arabs after israelis began supporting communism.
b. the british promised both palestinians and jews an independent homeland in the same part of its middle eastern empire, leading both groups to feel that they had a legal right to the territory.
c. the british secretly promised to support israeli control over the city of jerusalem, but did not recognize that palestinian muslims also considered this city their capital and holiest city.
d. the british supported the formation of a jewish homeland in palestine during world war i, but strongly opposed it after arab palestinians played a major role in the allied victory in world war ii.

Explanation:

During the 20th century, the British issued conflicting promises: the Balfour Declaration (1917) expressed support for a Jewish homeland in Palestine, while the McMahon-Hussein Correspondence (1915-1916) promised Arab independence in the region, including Palestine. This dual commitment created competing territorial claims that laid the groundwork for the ongoing Arab-Israeli conflict. Options A, C, and D contain inaccuracies: the British did not side with Arabs over communism, there was no secret promise solely for Israeli control of Jerusalem, and British opposition to a Jewish homeland was not tied to Palestinian WWII Allied support.

Answer:

B. The British promised both Palestinians and Jews an independent homeland in the same part of its Middle Eastern empire, leading both groups to feel that they had a legal right to the territory.