ABSTRACT
The Arab aristocratic families were living in Jerusalem for centuries, and contended among themselves over positions of power and prestige. In the 1920s and 1930s the prime leader was the Mufti of Jerusalem Haj Amin al-Husseini. He was not in Palestine during the war and established contacts with the Axis leaders. Following the 1936–1939 Arab Revolt, a considerable number of anti-British leaders left the country. The Nashashibi family and their Defence Party supported the war effort, but were viewed by the British as unpopular in the Arab community. Arab support of Italy and Germany went through several phases before and during the war.
