The land of Palestine is a central point and heartbeat of the Muslim Ummah. It is not only geopolitically significant but also deeply rooted in Islamic faith, heritage, and spirituality. However, due to historical and political partnerships—and more astonishingly, the “behind-the-scenes” developments—the role of Ibn Saud and the Wahhabi movement becomes significantly relevant. So, the question arises: How was the state of Israel established in Palestine? Who played roles behind the scenes?
1. The Secret Agreement Between Ibn Saud and the British
In 1915–1916, during the correspondence between Henry McMahon and Sharif Hussein (known as the McMahon-Hussein Correspondence), the British promised independence to the Arabs. However, in secret, they made the Balfour Declaration in 1917, pledging support for the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine.
At that time, Ibn Saud was the ruler of Najd (a region in present-day Saudi Arabia) and a follower of Wahhabi ideology. With British support, he conquered Hijaz (Mecca and Medina) and ousted Sharif Hussein.
Treaty (1915): A treaty was signed between Ibn Saud and the British, through which Ibn Saud was recognized as a British protectorate and received vast amounts of money and military support.
Jeddah Agreement (1927): Ibn Saud was recognized as a sovereign king, and in return, he recognized British colonial interests. According to this agreement, he was acknowledged as a British ally. At the time, Britain was heavily involved in Palestine and working toward the establishment of Israel. Ibn Saud did not oppose this, instead offering silent support.
In exchange for this support, Ibn Saud:
Worked on behalf of the British, especially in seizing control of the Hijaz region.
Helped solidify British influence, ensuring there would be no protests over the Palestine issue.
2. The Hashemite-Wahhabi War and the Collapse of Muslim Unity
In 1924–25, the British completely withdrew military and financial support from Sharif Hussein.
Then, through the Wahhabi Ikhwan forces, Ibn Saud captured Hijaz, during which thousands were killed and traditional Islamic institutions were destroyed.
As a result:
The unity under Sharif Hussein’s leadership was severely weakened.
The foundations of Muslim unity were broken, allowing the British-Israeli agenda to proceed.
Wahhabi Doctrine and Muslim Disunity : The Wahhabi doctrine is politically opposed to Islamic unity and the concept of the Caliphate. It considers only its interpretation of Tawheed (monotheism) to be correct and labels other Islamic traditions, especially Sufism and classical Islam, as "bid’ah" (innovations) and rejects them. This destroyed Muslim unity and aided British colonial expansion.
3. Ibn Saud’s Role in British Policy on Palestine
Through international diplomacy and British collaboration, Ibn Saud was used to:
Deepen the conflict between the Hashemites over the Palestine issue.
Promote Wahhabi power to fragment Islamic unity.
Reality: During the establishment of Israel in 1948, Saudi Arabia did not take any significant military action. Instead, it focused on aligning with Western powers, securing oil interests, and preserving the monarchy.
4. Hidden Agendas and Political Games
British Assistance to Ibn Saud:
In the late 1920s, the British gave Ibn Saud a monthly stipend of £10,000 in gold (Al-Enazi, p. 104). They also provided over 10,000 rifles, several field guns, and logistical aid through British-Indian trainers. According to Askar H. Al-Enazi’s book "The Creation of Saudi Arabia: Ibn Saud and British Imperial Policy, 1914–1927" (2010, p. 104), in September 1921, the British helped Ibn Saud take over Ha’il. Later that year in November, after formally surrendering to the British, Ibn Saud was granted a new royal title.
The End of the Islamic Caliphate by the Saudis : Ibn Saud's forces continued conquering regions. In Taif, Ibn Saud and the Wahhabis launched traditional massacres—killing Muslim men, women, and children, and even assassinating Islamic scholars in mosques.
In October 1924, using British-supplied weapons, they seized Mecca—Islam’s holiest site. Eventually, in January 1925, they began the siege of Jeddah, which surrendered in December 1925, leading to the end of over 1,000 years of rule by the descendants of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), effectively ending the Islamic Caliphate.
Renaming to Saudi Arabia : In 1926, the British formally recognized Ibn Saud as the new king of Hijaz, and within weeks, other European powers followed suit. This established Ibn Saud's international legitimacy in the eyes of the West. In 1932, the newly unified Wahhabi state was officially renamed the "Kingdom of Saudi Arabia" by the British Empire.
Redrawing the Map : The British transformed Ibn Saud and the Wahhabis into the dominant power of the region. By imposing Zionism in Palestine and orchestrating regional politics, the British effectively redrew the geopolitical DNA of the Middle East—integrating what is now contemporary Saudi Arabia (the Wahhabi state) into this new map.
5. Lessons from History
When the state of Israel was established in 1948, Saudi Arabia did not take any significant military action. Instead, it remained focused on aligning with Western powers for oil economy and monarchical security. Now, as the Palestinian crisis is discussed globally, this chapter of history clearly shows—who were friends, and who were betrayers.
Palestine is not merely a political issue—it is a symbol of Muslim unity, dignity, and faith.
Conclusion
While the role of Ibn Saud and the Wahhabis in history remains controversial, it is clear that their silent support and the weakening of Muslim unity played a direct role in Western colonialism and the establishment of the Jewish state.
Now is the time to uncover, understand, and unite—for Palestine and for justice.
Harsh truth from history: The strategic alliance between Ibn Saud, the Wahhabi movement, and the British had a direct impact on the Palestinian crisis.
Destruction of Muslim unity and heritage: This alliance led to the collapse of Islamic traditions and political cohesion.
Modern relevance: In today’s global crisis, the key lesson is—forgetting the unity and lessons of history will only worsen the future.
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