Conclusion

Abstract

British rule in Mandatory Palestine attempted to create a broad Palestinian identity which would encompass and transcend the Arab and Jewish communities. It was hoped that such an identity would emerge from shared interests and would strengthen inter-community cooperation. The British government undertook to work towards this end when it assumed the role of Mandatory power after the First World War. But there was no timescale. It was an open-ended process, which suited Britain’s strategic and imperial interests.