The British in 1936 were arguably adhering to the Balfour Declaration when the Peel Commission was proposed, it suggested a partition in Palestine to allow for a Jewish homeland. The plan proposed that Tel-Aviv be included in the Jewish state as well, and this plan was embraced by most moderate Jews. However the British were forced to shelve the plan in response to Arab opposition but what can be noted is that modern day Israel is similar to the Jewish homeland that the Peel Commission once proposed, the Peel Commission was arguably the template in the formation of modern day Israel and therefore it was clearly a significant step towards the creation of Israel. However I do not see it to be as significant as the Balfour declaration as it was after all, rejected.
The British, who had rejected the Peel Commission clearly showed a change in attitudes following the Second World War. Unlike in 1936 where the case for a Jewish state was far weaker, after 1945 public opinion had drastically changed. The Holocaust, in which 6 million Jews were estimated to be killed caused many to feel sympathy towards the Jews, and this was a significant driving factor in the creation of Israel. The Second World War also helped bring about the creation of Israel because immigration had risen during the period between 1940-45, because the Jewish population was larger in 1945 they had a greater case for the formation of a Jewish state. I think the Second World War was the most significant factor, at that point in time as the powerful nations, notably Britain and America, felt sympathy towards the Jews. They’re influence was significant in the creation of Israel.
The Balfour Declaration, the Peel Commission, the Second World war were key developments in the creation of Israel. I think that the Second World War was the most significant factor, as discussed before, because other nations were able to assist the Jews in their campaign for a homeland. All these causes are linked because the Balfour Declaration forced the British to take a pro-Zionist stance, which therefore led to the creation of the Peel Commission. Following the second world war, the ideas from the Peel Commission were still retained and arguably used in the creation of Israel.
