Order First; or, The Problem of Palestine

This political cartoon shows an Arab man dressed in traditional clothing, a long robe and head covering, leaning towards a British soldier dressed in military uniform who stands firmly with his rifle, while a third figure works the land in the background, dressed in simple work clothes associated with early Kibbutz settlers. His presence is significant because kibbutzim symbolized the growing Jewish settlements supported by British authorities, which many Palestinians saw as a threat. The caption, “Order first or the problem of Palestine. Arab: Where do I come in? British Tommy: We’ll see about that mate, but this is where I do,” makes the power imbalance explicit. The Arab man’s question reflects the uncertainty many Arabs felt about their political future, while the British soldier’s confident reply reveals how Britain positioned itself as the ultimate authority in Palestine. By placing the kibbutz worker behind the British soldier, the cartoon visually reinforces the idea that British authority was enabling and protecting Jewish settlements, while leaving Arabs uncertain about their own place in the new political order.

This cartoon relates to the Arab Revolt by illustrating the relationship between Arab fighters and British forces during this period. The soldier standing confidently with the rifle represents authority, while the Arab man asks where he fits in, suggesting uncertainty about his role in this situation. The cartoon highlights how British interests frequently took priority over Arab aspirations. This image helps the viewer understand the revolt as a situation shaped by uneven power dynamics. It shows that while Arabs actively participated and contributed, they lacked full control over political decisions and were often overlooked or sidelined. This imbalance helps explain why many Arabs later felt frustrated and disappointed when the independence they expected did not materialize.

This cartoon helps to explain the Arab Revolt by showing not only the larger political decisions, but also the everyday experiences of people living during this time. The cartoon reveals how powerful countries made decisions without considering smaller nations. Altogether these images help to better understand how the Arab Revolt was part of a larger pattern of global conflict. They also show how events were communicated to the public, either through satire in cartoons or through photographs, which were harder to come by in that period. By looking at both types of images, we can gain a much deeper understanding of the causes and long-lasting effects of the Arab Revolt.