The previous article tackled Jerusalem being seized under the British rule after its seizure, following a decisive period in its history when its relationship with the Ottoman Empire ended completely. The article then pointed to Britain’s role in eliminating Eastern powers, forcing Muhammad Ali to accept the London Treaty in 1840, which reduced his powers and weakened the Ottoman Empire.
Then the World War I broke out, in which the Allied forces triumphed and the Ottoman Empire lost its Arab provinces, including Palestine. As for Jerusalem, it entered a new phase of international interaction and became a destination for a number of Jews around the world. “Al-Quds” website states in this regard: “In silence, far from the loud noise in the international arena, at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries, the Jewish influx towards Jerusalem increased until their number reached thirty thousand in 1896, and rose to ninety thousand in 1912, then returned to decline with the hardships witnessed by the world during World War I, reaching fifty thousand Jews in Jerusalem, then increased again afterwards.”
As for the period during which Jerusalem was under the British rule, it began—as previously mentioned—with the entry of General Allenby into the city. He then sent a telegram to his commanders requesting their opinion regarding which flags should be raised over Jerusalem upon its fall in the Allies’ hands. “Al-Quds” Website states: “The War Office decided that, given the city’s unique character and the numerous complex diplomatic and political issues surrounding it, General Allenby should be informed that no flag should be raised in the event of the city’s occupation by Allied forces.” The mayor of Jerusalem surrendered to the British commander-in-chief, and the news was announced briefly to the House of Commons. The War Office then received an Arab delegation offering congratulations on the victory: “The War Office received an Arab delegation headed by Count Zaghd representing the Arab Palestinians and Syrians (Muslims and Christians) residing in England. Count Zaghd read a congratulatory message to His Majesty’s government and the British forces on the occasion of the capture of Jerusalem.” The War Office also issued a press release about this visit, which stated: “Your Excellency, representatives of the members of the Syrian and Palestinian Arab communities residing in London and Manchester have requested to visit you today to offer congratulations to Your Excellency on the victory and the capture of Jerusalem. They also wish to convey to His Majesty and his forces their heartfelt congratulations, coupled with the hope and assurance that His Majesty’s armies, as well as the units affiliated with the French and Italian forces, will continue their victories and advances for the sake of liberating the peoples whom they are liberating from the tyranny of Turkish rule.” Thus, the City of Peace passed from Ottoman to British rule following several battles that led to the final withdrawal of the Ottomans from Jerusalem on December 9, 1917, after ruling the city for four centuries. The mayor of Jerusalem at the time, Hussein Bik al-Husseini, accompanied by a delegation of Jerusalemites, handed over the document of surrender; and the British forces entered and took control of the city of Jerusalem.
Britain began its policy by paving the way for the establishment of a Zionist state on the land of Jerusalem, so it imposed its mandate on it and chose the British Jewish politician Herbert Samuel to be its first high representative in Palestine. He had a religious upbringing, but after his university studies he declared that he did not belong to any religion, nevertheless he did not lose his membership in the Jewish community. The Palestinian people rose up and demonstrated in protest against these British political measures. It was mentioned that in March 1921, a Palestinian delegation met in Jerusalem with Winston Churchill, who was sent by his government to the region to review British policy.
And… stories about beautiful Egypt never end!
The General Bishop
Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
