The British Mandate (1917-1948 CE)

On 9 December 1917, as World War I neared its end, Jerusalem surrendered to the British forces. Two days later General Allenby entered the Jaffa Gate on foot, at the head of a victory procession. This act marked the end of four centuries of Ottoman-Turk rule and the beginning of thirty years of British rule. In July 1920 the Mandate civil administration took over from the military. For the first time since Crusader days Jerusalem was again the capital of the whole country.

One of the most important signs of British times was the start of city planning, to ensure the preservation of Jerusalem's unique character. A crucial law promulgated by the administration of Sir Ronald Storrs, the city's first governor, obligated the use of Jerusalem stone in all building. This and other building regulations continue to influence the city's appearance.

New Jerusalem expanded. Arab and Jewish neighborhoods were built, including the "garden neighborhoods" of Talpiot, Rehavia and Beit Hakerem. A social and cultural infrastructure emerged together with public institutions such as the Hebrew University and Hadassah Hospital on Mount Scopus, Jewish Agency headquarters, YMCA, the King David Hotel and the Central Post Office.

But the overriding issue was the future of Palestine in general and Jerusalem in particular. Rising tension between Jews and Arabs erupted into bloody riots in 1920 and 1929, followed by the Arab revolt of 1936-1939. The unrest reached a peak as the British Mandate drew to a close.

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