1936–1939 Arab revolt in Mandatory Palestine
The 1936–1939 Arab revolt in Mandatory Palestine was a nationalist uprising by Palestinian Arabs against British rule and mass Jewish immigration.
Peel and Woodhead Commissions
The Peel Commission (1937) declared the Mandate unworkable and recommended partition into Jewish and Arab states, with a British enclave from Jerusalem to the coast. The Twentieth Zionist Congress accepted the principle but rejected the borders; Palestinian Arabs rejected partition outright. The Woodhead Commission (1938) deemed partition impracticable.
Revolt resumption and suppression
Violence resumed in autumn 1937. Britain crushed the revolt with harsh measures, dissolving the Arab Higher Committee (AHC) and deporting leaders. Exiled leadership weakened Arab coordination against the better-organized Yishuv. The revolt drew pan-Arab support, influencing British policy.
Jewish response
The revolt reinforced Yishuv self-defense (strengthening the Haganah). A 1936 Arab boycott accelerated Jewish economic self-sufficiency. Britain armed Haganah units and formed Special Night Squads under pro-Zionist officer Orde Charles Wingate.
Outcome
Militarily suppressed by 1939, the revolt led to the White Paper of 1939, seen as a British concession to Arabs. Relative calm followed until the UN partition plan reignited conflict.
Casualties
- Jews: 415 killed (including 80 during the initial strike).
- Arabs: ~5,000 dead, 15,000 wounded, 5,600 imprisoned.
See also
Notes
- The 1936 Arab Riots. JVL.