Before the Special Relationship

Abstract

If the British did not quite view Zionism as serving their strategic interests in the Middle East—except, temporarily, in the middle of World War I—did the successive U.S. administrations view this colonial project any differently? This question gains urgency during the years 1939 to 1948, when the United States took over from Britain the mantle of surrogate mother country to the Zionist colonial settler movement.

The Jews from every tribe have descended in force, and they are determined to break in with a jimmy if they are not let in.

—Edward House, October 1917²

Don’t worry, Dr. Wise, Palestine is yours.

—Woodrow Wilson, March 1919³