Gandhi and the Middle East : Jews, Arabs and Imperial Interests

"Gandhi's involvement in Middle Eastern politics is largely forgotten, yet it goes to the heart of his teaching and ambition - to lead a united freedom movement against British colonial power. Gandhi became involved in the politics of the Middle East as a result of his concern over the abolition of the Ottoman Caliphate following the First World War. He subsequently - at the invitation of the Jewish Agency - sought to reconcile Jews and Arabs in a secret deal at the time of the Mandate of Palestine. However, Jewish and British interference coupled with the Arab Revolt and the rise of the Muslim League in India thwarted Gandhi's efforts in the region. Like so many who would follow, Gandhi was unable to solve the problems of the Middle East, but this book for the first time reveals his previously obscure attempt to do so. Gandhi's experience in the Middle East was in marked contrast to his other successes around the world and is crucial for a full understanding of his life and teachings. "Gandhi in the Middle East" offers many new and revealing insights into the goals and limits of an international statesman at a critical period of imperial history."--Bloomsbury Publishing. Gandhi's involvement in Middle Eastern politics is largely forgotten yet it goes to the heart of his teaching and ambition - to lead a united freedom movement against British colonial power. Gandhi became involved in the politics of the Middle East as a result of his concern over the abolition of the Ottoman Caliphate following the First World War. He subsequently - at the invitation of the Jewish Agency - sought to reconcile Jews and Arabs in a secret deal at the time of the Mandate of Palestine. However, Jewish and British interference coupled with the Arab Revolt and the rise of the Muslim League in India thwarted his efforts. Like many who would follow, Gandhi was unable to solve the problems of the Middle East, but this book reveals his sincere and previously obscure attempt to do so.In this ground-breaking history, Simone Panter-Brick reveals a fascinating new facet of Gandhi's work and personality. Drawing on recently discovered letters from Gandhi, Panter-Brick traces his development from his optimistic vision for the Middle East to his plans for a non-violent solution and its ultimate failure. Confronted by opposition on all sides, Gandhi's experience in South Africa and India was not sufficient to enable him to resolve the Palestinians'problems, especially after he became embroiled in a political struggle with Jinnah and the Muslim League in India. The British plan to partition Palestine also helped to derail Gandhi's plans for peace in the region. Even the Jewish Agency refused Gandhi's proposed negotiations - proposals that were never made public. Despite Gandhi's conviction that peace in the Middle East was attainable, he could not overcome these many obstacles. Gandhi's experience in the Middle East was in marked contrast to his other successes around the world and is crucial for a full understanding of his life and teachings. Gandhi in the Middle East offers many new and revealing insights into the goals and limits of an international statesman at a critical period of imperial history. Contents......Page 6 List of Illustrations......Page 8 Acknowledgements......Page 10 Preface by Professor Wm. Roger Louis......Page 12 Introduction: Focus on Palestine......Page 20 1. The Enigma......Page 24 2. Tree by Tree, Acre by Acre......Page 30 3. Palestine to the Arabs......Page 38 4. Briefing the Mahatma on Palestine......Page 46 5. Palestine in 1936......Page 58 6. The Offer of July 4th, 1937......Page 72 7. The Relevance of the Indian Context of 1937......Page 86 8. O Time, Suspend Your Flight......Page 104 9. End of a Summer Dream......Page 112 10. The Depressing Year 1938......Page 122 11. The Two Palestines......Page 132 12. A Pharaoh May Come That Knows Not Joseph......Page 140 13. Disengagement......Page 148 14. An Almost Insoluble Problem......Page 160 Conclusion: A Love Affair in the Middle East......Page 172 Envoy: The Rose, the Lily, the Lilac and the Lotus......Page 180 Document 1: The Jews, Harijan, November 26, 1938......Page 182 Document 2: Jews and Palestine, Harijan, July 21, 1946......Page 188 Notes......Page 190 Bibliography......Page 202 Index......Page 208 List of Illustrations -- Acknowledgements -- Foreword -- Introduction -- 1. The Enigma -- 2. Tree by Tree, Acre by Acre -- 3. Palestine to the Arabs -- 4. Briefing the Mahatma on Palestine -- 5. Palestine in 1936 -- 6. The Offer of 4 July, 1937 -- 7. The Relevance of the Indian Context of 1937 -- 8. O Time, Suspend your Flight -- 9. End of a Summer Dream -- 10. The Depressing Year 1938 -- 11. The Two Palestines -- 12. A Pharaoh May Come That Knows Not Jpseph -- 13. Disengagement -- 14. An Almost Insoluble Problem -- Conclusion: A Love Affair in the Middle -- East Envoy: The Rose, the Lily, the Lillac and the Lotus -- Document 1 : The Jews, Harijan, November 26, 1938 -- Document 2: Jews and Palestine, Harijan, July 21, 1946 -- Notes -- Bibliography -- Index Simone Panter-brick. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 171-187) And Index.