Jabotinsky, occupying Palestine and the idea of Iron Wall

Pars Today - Jabotinsky was the first Zionist leader to admit that Palestinians are people who will not voluntarily renounce their right to self-determination.

Ze'ev Jabotinsky, as one of the founders of the Jewish National Fund and the Jewish Legion that served in the British army during World War I, was a very influential figure in the history of Israel. 

Jabotinsky played an effective and vital role in persuading the British government to issue the Balfour Declaration. According to this declaration, the establishment of a homeland for Jews in Palestine was accepted by the British colonial rule. 

Jabotinsky hoped that this homeland for Jews would include both banks of the Jordan River, and that he could implement his idea by emigrating Jews from Europe and other countries.

Jabotinsky had another important influence, which was the formulation of Israel's security policy and doctrine, known as the Iron Wall. Essentially, Jabotinsky believed that the Palestinians would not agree to the establishment of a Jewish state in the historical lands of Palestine, and that the establishment of a Jewish state would only be achieved if the Zionist movement could ally itself with a world power and gain its support and backing.

Jabotinsky was the first Zionist leader to admit that the Palestinians are people who will not voluntarily renounce their right to self-determination. He believed that the Palestinians would not allow Jews to establish a state in their lands and gradually form the majority population in that region, even in exchange for certain economic incentives.

From Jabotinsky's point of view, the idea of accepting Zionism by the Arabs and settling Jews in the land of Palestine without any problems was an illusion. Jabotinsky explicitly stated that despite the promises made to the Palestinians about being treated respectfully, they would still not give up their hope of getting rid of the Jews.

Because no living human would be able to negotiate on such an important issue and grant such concession to the Jews. For this reason, Jabotinsky concluded that opening a dialogue with the Palestinians in the hope of persuading them, especially in the early stages of implementing the Zionist project in Palestinian lands, would lead nowhere.

Therefore, Jabotinsky suggested that the Zionism project should have security and be implemented behind an iron wall so that the Palestinians could not destroy or obstruct its progress.

Source:

Hilal Khashan. 2024. Crack in Israel's Iron Wall Doctrine. Ham Mihan

Keywords: Who is Jabotinsky, what is Israel's Iron Wall, Israel's power, where is Palestine, how was Israel created

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