Phase II (July 1937 – September 1938)

In August 1937, the 20^th Zionist congress convenes in Zurich, Switzerland. In the conference the Zionists are split over the Peel Commission, some seeing it as a betrayal of what was promised in the Balfour Declaration, whereas others, including leader Chaim Weizmann, urge the members to accept the decision of the Peel Commission. The Arab Higher Committee (AHC) rejects the proposal of the Peel Commission which increases violent clashes between the Arab armed militias (Black Hand) and the Zionist militias (Haganah and Irgun). These disturbances cause the British to impose a Martial Law in September 1937. Stringent measures were put in place to quash the growing rebellion. The AHC is dissolved and leading officials of the organisation were either arrested or exiled. The Grand Mufti Amin al-Husseini escapes to Lebanon.