Colonialism in the Middle East

Napoleon at Jaffa (1804)

This is a painting made by the French Artist Antoine-Jean Gros from the early 19th century. It is painted in the neoclassical style that was popular in France in this time period, and would later spread to many other parts of Europe including Russia and Germany. It also shows some early examples of the romantic style that came into vogue later, especially in the lighting and subject matter. The work depicts Napoleon visiting sick soldiers in the city of Jaffa, in modern day Israel/Palestine. This source is interesting as one of the first depictions of the Arab world by Europeans during the modern era. While the focus is on Napoleon Bonaparte, we can still see the earliest traces of orientalism in European art.

The Balfour Declaration of 1917

The Balfour Declaration was a letter written by the United Kingdom’s foreign secretary, Lord Balfour, to Lord Rothschild who was a prominent leader of the British Jewish community. The letter stated that Britain would favor the establishment of a national home for the Jewish people in Palestine. The Balfour Declaration was a very important document because it set the precedence for Britain’s support of Zionism that would play out over the next 30 years.

The Arab revolt of 1936

The Arab revolt of 1936 was a Palestinian nationalist uprising against the colonialist British administration. The Palestinians demanded independence and an end to the mass immigration of Jews. The cartoon above was published in a Palestinian newspaper at the time and it reads, “Don’t be afraid! I will swallow you peacefully!” and depicts a vulgar looking British police officer standing guard while a crocodile attacks the Palestinians. The cartoon shows the British as being complicit in the Zionist takeover and the Palestinians fear what this influx of Jewish immigrants will mean for their safety.

Assassination of Lord Moyne, 1944

Lord Moyne was the British minister in charge of Mandatory Palestine during World War 2. He was strict on Jewish immigration into Palestine and opposed forming a Jewish Brigade during World War II. Because of this, he received a lot of Arab support, but was hated by Zionists and was, unfortunately, assassinated by a Zionist terrorist group in 1944. The assassination backfired, however, as it caused British prime minister Winston Churchill to temper his support for Zionism.

Colonialism, Postcolonialism, Globalization, and Arab Culture - Salam Mir (2019)

The Arab world spans 22 countries over Asia and Africa. Formerly seen to many as uncivilized and unmodern, the Arab Renaissance (Nahda) was sparked as an aftermath of Napoleon's invasion in 1798. An explosion of information, globalization followed, and many Arabs began to find a voice for equality, freedom and nationalization. Arabic excellence through their creativity, intellectual ability, and culture began to become hugely important to globalization.

British Colonial Courts

 One of the more illuminating quotes described early Mandatory law as “a mosaic with a pattern made up of many legal pebbles: Ottoman, Muslim, French, Jewish, and above all English”. This shows how the British government tried, often successfully, to co opt local institutions to aid colonial rule, particularly in places where previous empires, such as the Ottomans, had developed legal frameworks previously. British courts overturned local precedent to employ the death penalty on three men who were leaders in the Palestinian movement over their supposed efforts to coordinate sectarian riots in the cities of Hebron and Safd, despite them not having any direct involvement in the clashes that resulted from these riots, which left hundreds of Jews and Muslims dead.

Civil War in Lebanon, Sabra and Shatila Massacres

 Lebanon is one of the few countries in the Arab world that is not overwhelmingly Sunni Muslim, and is still impacted by the Confessionalist policies of the French, who early on sought to create a majority Christian state in the Middle East, dominated by the Marionites, and later used religious politics to attempt to coerce Lebanese institutions when they ruled indirectly through the mandate. The policies of religious discrimination lead to the Lebanese Civil War. In the 1970’s, triggered by the killing of the Maronite president and bloody reprisals by Maronite militias, a brutal civil war began, with both Maronites and Sunnis, and eventually Shia committing horrible atrocities against civilians in other religious communities. By the 1990’s, Beirut, once called the Paris of the East, had lost almost half of its prewar population.

Challenging Perceptions of Modern Arab Art (2020)

Modern Arab art is very different from what it was in the past. The traditional Arabian art style has been modified for many of the artists due to the western influences on Arabian Art. Many, both Arabs and Westerners, critique and criticize the newer Arabian art style due to Arabs interpreting it as their art being “colonized” or it being a “cultural invasion” while Westerners view it as “imitations” of their own. This caused modern Arabian art to be an outsider to both communities and struggle to find themselves a spot. Arabic governments also do not support or patronize any of the actions taken by the artists that try and spread more awareness of the modernization of Arabian art. Art programs are also lacking in terms of colleges and education, so modern Arab art is in a terrible spot. 

Repatriation and the Legacy of Colonialism in the Middle East - Salam Al Quntar (2017)

Archaeological thievery has become a very pressing matter in the preservation of Arabic history. Western countries have sent excavators after excavators to plunder Arabic artifacts and antiques for display at their museums. This is not just thievery of articles of importance, but also of the history behind it. When taken and put into display, the history is not given its due justice, as Arabic culture and history is taken and placed in a building that does not care enough to offer insight on its cultural significance. The repatriation of these stolen goods can help mend fences between two sides (Arabs and Western Countries) that don't often see eye-to-eye.

"There" poem by Najwan Darwish

Najwan Darwish is an Arabic poet and a leading cultural editor in the Arab world. His poem, "There", describes the suffering the Palestinians endured after Mandate Palestine ended and the British left. This left no one to prevent the inevitable war between the Arab Palestinians and the Jews. The British made their biggest mistake in not seeing or not caring how their encouragement of Jewish immigration to Palestine would put the Palestinian population at risk of persecution. The poem describes how those Palestinians who revolted, and those who were exiled, and all those who lost or were separated from loved ones are still waiting for an end to the persecution.

Impact of Western Foreign Policies on the Middle East (2014)

Western Foreign Policies are created mainly to "alter the configuration of the Middle Eastern Political order." America and European countries make themselves seem as if they are the "justice" trying to help the Middle East, but they are just seeking their own profits. Europe is trying to protect itself from themselves from their Neighboring countries by passing policies such as the European Neighborhood Policy. America is seeking their own interests and goals, which is oil and gas resources for the economy and the protection of Israel.

What leads some Ordinary Arab Men and Women to Approve of Terrorist Acts against the United States (2007)

There is little correlation between Western culture and religion towards the approval of terrorist actions than commonly thought. The ordinary Arab people are more impacted by the political and economical aspects that is behind terrorist acts. The Arab people of a poorer economic situations has a higher tendency to have a higher approval on the terrorism. These individuals blames the United States for their poor economic situations, and, therefore, tends to approve of the terrorist acts the worse off you are financially.

Prime Minister Criticized for Western Culture Remarks (2001)

The Prime Minster of Italy declared that Western culture is Superior to Islamic and Arabian civilization. This declaration by the Prime Minister of Italy caused there to be a nonviolent demonstration that condemned and criticized the Prime Minister’s actions. Silvio Berlusconi, the Prime Minister of Italy, believed that the Western culture was superior, and that Europe should go back to the Christian roots. He claimed that the Islamic culture was behind in times. He even went on to say that Europeans should be conscious of this superiority over them. The Arabian League demanded a denial or an apology for this mark. The Prime Minister of Iran also commented that Berlusconi’s remark was from his ignorance of Islam’s culture and civilization and the positive impact they had towards Western Civilization as well. Berlusconi later said that his remarks were “misunderstood,” but Italian news reporters claim he made similar statements in a meeting with European ministers earlier in the year.