Karataş, İbrahim2021-01-152021-01-152020Karataş, İ . (2020). Was Israel a Western Project in Palestine? . Journal of Islamicjerusalem Studies , 20 (2) , 189-206 . DOI: 10.31456/beytulmakdis.777767367-19362514-6009https://doi.org/10.31456/beytulmakdis.777767https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12713/1338This study aims to ascertain the extent to which it was Western powers or Zionists that founded Israel. The study argues that Israel was established by Western powers, while not ignoring the partial but significant role of Zionists that sought for a Jewish homeland. The West needed a Jewish homeland in order to utilise Jewish wealth, while also keeping Jews away since they were disturbed by the presence of the Jewish community. On the other hand, the World Zionist Organisation, motivated by anti-Semitism and nationalism, pioneered the idea of a Jewish national home and tried to persuade Western leaders as to the viability of a homeland in Palestine. While Zionist lobbying was influential, it can hardly be argued that they would have founded Israel without the help and permission of Western states, and in particular, the British Empire. The study aims to reveal external roles in nation-building by analysing the case of Israel. Methodologically, both quantitative and qualitative researches were used.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessIsraelZionismMandate SystemPalestineMiddle EastArticle20218920610.31456/beytulmakdis.777767