Monday, December 9th In France, the law separating church and state is passed st broadcast of "Coronation Street" on British ITV "A Charlie Brown Christmas" premieres Larry Bird, ends streak of 59 consecutive free throws Palestine uprising began in Israeli-occupied West Bank The Governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich, is arrested by federal officials for a number of alleged crimes including attempting to sell the United States Senate seat being vacated by President-elect Barack Obama's election to the Presidency..

April 1920 : at the Conference of San Remo, Syria and Lebanon were mandated to France and Palestine was mandated to Great Britain. Palestinians were not happy. August 1920: first quota of Jewish immigrants were permitted to enter Palestine. 1919: Jews made up less than 10 percent of total population in Palestine by 1944: they made up 34 percent.

“White Paper” “White Paper” is the term used in Britain for any government report giving information or proposals on an issue. June 1922: British government outlined its interpretation of the concept of a Jewish National Home in a White Paper. Contained: suggestion that only part of Palestine to be used as home for the Jews. Arabs rejected White Paper immediately. Arab opposition of the concept of the Jewish national homeland grew.

1930s: Jewish immigration to Palestine rose dramatically. British quota. Jews entering the country illegally and purchasing large amounts of land from Palestinians. 1935: Palestinians demanded that the British government: stop the flow of immigrants stop the transfer of land from Arabs to Jews establish democratic institutions in Palestine.

A mufti is a Muslim legal expert entitled to give rulings on religious matters and to decide on points of law. “Grand Mufti”: honorary title of great political and religious significance. To back their demands, an Arab High Committee (under leadership of Grand Mufti Amin Al-Husyani, formed in April 1936.) Large-scale violent resistance followed.

Concerned by the size and passion of the armed revolt a Royal Commission under Lord Peel was assembled. July 1937: The Peel Commission recommended that Palestine be partitioned (divided up) to allow for a Jewish homeland to be established and the Palestinians be forcibly removed from the proposed Jewish State. Palestinians were worried and angry by the pro-Zionist stance. Palestinians continued their armed resistance well into 1939.

The British army put down the uprisings with severity. Palestinian population of 960,000. British estimate: 3074 killed 6000 arrested 110 hanged Most members of Arab High Committee were arrested or deported. (which caused lack of Palestinian leadership after 1939).