Empire 299. Gaza: The Palestinian Revolt, The Black and Tans, & Bomber Harris (Part 9)
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Oct 15, 2025 Caroline Elkins, a Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and Harvard professor, joins the conversation to explore the 1936 Palestinian revolt against British rule. She delves into the brutal tactics used by the British, including the controversial air raids led by 'Bomber' Harris. Elkins examines how communal tensions escalated among Muslims, Christians, and Jews, and discusses the implications of British favoritism and repression. The episode sheds light on the lasting impact of colonial violence and the roots of modern conflict in the region.
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Roots Of The 1936 Revolt
- The 1936 Palestinian revolt grew from rising Jewish immigration, land dispossession, and failed British reforms like the shelved Passfield White Paper.
- Militancy and grassroots state-building surged as notable families lost control and popular networks organized strikes and boycotts.
From Strike To Martial Measures
- Britain treated the revolt as a direct challenge and escalated from policing to martial law-style repression and partition proposals.
- The Peel Report recommended partition while the League urged harsher measures, prompting a turn to outright repression.
Teggart’s Colonial Troubleshooter
- Sir Charles Teggart arrived from India as a ruthless troubleshooter who normalized torture and extrajudicial methods in Palestine.
- Teggart partnered with David Petrie to craft a harsher security blueprint that ignored legal limits.
