Change of Policy

Abstract

After the riots of August 1929, the High Commissioner’s overriding concern was to prevent a rebellion in Palestine, which he feared would arise from the increasing strength of Arab nationalism in the region. He thought that a rebellion would in turn intensify that nationalism, and that the consequences for the British Empire would be devastating. He was therefore preoccupied with questions of internal and external security, which led him to establish the first Defence Scheme in 1930, as noted in the previous chapter. But beyond that he was convinced that it was necessary to change Government policy towards the two communities.