Isaiah Friedman

Historian

Former professor emeritus of history at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Isaiah Friedman ((1921) is a senior fellow at St. Antony’s College, Oxford and author of, among many works, Palestine: A Twice Promised Land? and British Pan-Arab Policy, 1915-1922.

Zionism thus helped to legitimize Britain’s position in Palestine, which otherwise would have been based solely on military conquest…. Britain used Zionism to confirm her position in a vital strategic area, but the Zionists too derived enormous benefits. Their claim to be recognized as a nation was granted. The Balfour Declaration specifically referred to the “Jewish people” and, following its incorporation into the Mandate and approval by the United States, the “Jewish people” became an entity recognized by international law. Recognition of Zionism was in line with the principle of self-determination and with the struggle of small nationalities for freedom and independence.

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