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🧆history of the middle east – 1800 to present review

Peel Commission

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025

Definition

The Peel Commission was a British Royal Commission established in 1936 to investigate the causes of unrest in Palestine and to propose solutions to the ongoing Jewish-Arab conflict. It is significant for being the first official body to recommend the partition of Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states, reflecting the growing tensions between the two communities and the complexities of British colonial governance in the region.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. The Peel Commission was formed as a response to escalating violence during the Arab Revolt, aiming to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Palestine.
  2. In its 1937 report, the commission proposed a two-state solution, suggesting that Jewish areas would be allocated to a future Jewish state while Arab areas would remain under Arab control.
  3. The Peel Commission's recommendations were met with mixed reactions; while Zionist leaders accepted the idea of partition, Arab leaders rejected it outright, viewing it as an infringement on their rights.
  4. The commission's findings laid the groundwork for future proposals regarding partition, influencing both international discourse and local expectations about statehood.
  5. Despite its recommendations, little action was taken by Britain following the Peel Commission's report, leading to continued violence and unrest in Palestine.

Review Questions

  • How did the Peel Commission address the tensions between Jewish and Arab communities in Palestine?
    • The Peel Commission sought to address the rising tensions by investigating the causes of unrest and proposing a partition plan that divided Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states. This was significant because it acknowledged the conflicting national aspirations of both communities and aimed to provide a framework for coexistence. However, its recommendations highlighted the deep divisions and lack of agreement on key issues, as only Jewish leaders showed willingness to accept partition.
  • Evaluate the implications of the Peel Commission's recommendations on future British policy in Palestine.
    • The Peel Commission's recommendations had lasting implications for British policy in Palestine, marking a shift towards considering partition as a viable solution to the conflict. While the British government did not immediately implement these recommendations, they laid the groundwork for future plans, including the United Nations partition plan in 1947. The failure to enact meaningful change after the commission's report contributed to escalating violence and discontent among both Arabs and Jews, ultimately complicating Britain's role as a colonial power.
  • Assess how the responses from Jewish and Arab leaders to the Peel Commission reflected their broader nationalist aspirations during this period.
    • The responses from Jewish and Arab leaders to the Peel Commission showcased their divergent nationalist aspirations. Jewish leaders largely embraced the idea of partition as it offered them an opportunity for statehood and self-determination in part of Palestine. In contrast, Arab leaders rejected the proposal, viewing it as a betrayal of their rights and sovereignty over the entire region. This stark difference in reaction not only highlighted their conflicting goals but also foreshadowed ongoing tensions that would shape the trajectory of Palestinian politics and society in subsequent decades.